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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  USEO 

(716)S73-4S03 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


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CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IVIicroreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


O'^ 


Tachnical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notat  tachniquat  at  bibllographiquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  boat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua. 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  (ha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  ohackad  balow. 


D 


D 


D 


0 


D 


Q 


Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


r~~|   Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommag^a 


Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raatauria  at/ou  palliculAa 


□   Covar  titia  miaaing/ 
La 


titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


I     I   Colourad  mapa/ 


Cartaa  giographiquaa  9n  coulaur 


Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Colourad  plataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


Planchaa  at/ou  illustratlona  an  coulaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
RaliA  avac  d'autraa  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauaa  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  re  liura  aarria  paut  cauaar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
diatoraion  la  tong  da  la  marga  intiriaura 

Blank  laavaa  addad  during  raatoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  poaaibla.  thaaa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  aa  paut  qua  cartainaa  pagaa  blanchaa  ajoutiaa 
lora  d'una  raatauratlon  apparaiaaant  dana  la  taxta. 
mala,  loraqua  cala  Atait  poaaibla,  caa  pagaa  n'ont 
paa  «t«  filmAaa. 


Additional  commanta:/ 
Commantairaa  supplAmantairaa: 


Irregular  pagination 
slightly  out  of  focus. 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilmi  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  «t*  poaaibla  da  aa  procurar.  Laa  ditaila 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atra  uniquaa  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua,  qui  pauvant  modif  iar 
una  imaga  raproduita,  ou  qui  pauvant  axigar  una 
modification  dana  la  mAthoda  normala  da  filmaga 
aont  indiquAa  ci-daaaoua. 


r~|   Colourad  pagaa/ 


Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagaa  andommag^aa 

Pagaa  raatorad  and/oi 

Pagaa  raataurAaa  at/ou  palliculiaa 

Pagaa  diacolourad.  atainad  or  foxai 
Pagaa  dicoloriaa,  tachatAaa  ou  piquiaa 


|~n   Pagaa  damagad/ 

r*n   Pagaa  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 

rjl    Pagaa  diacolourad.  atainad  or  foxad/ 


□    Pagaa  datachad/ 
Pagaa  dAtachiaa 

EShowthrough/ 
Tranaparanca 


Tranaparanca 

Quality  of  prin 

Qualit*  inigala  da  I'impraaainn 

Includaa  aupplamantary  matarii 
Comprand  du  material  aupplAmantaira 

Only  adition  availabia/ 
Saula  Adition  diaponibia 


r~~|    Quality  of  print  variaa/ 

r~1   Includaa  aupplamantary  matarial/ 

|~~1   Only  adition  availabia/ 


0 


Pagaa  wholly  or  partially  obacurad  by  errata 
alipa,  tiaauaa.  ate.  hava  baan  rafilmad  to 
anaura  tha  baat  poaaibla  imaga/ 
Laa  pagaa  totaiamant  ou  partialiamant 
obacurciaa  par  un  fauillat  d'arrata.  una  palurn. 
ate,  ont  itA  filmiaa  A  nouvaau  da  facon  A 
oNarir  la  maillaura  imaga  poaaibla. 


[1] -  410,  111,  412-422, 421, 424^1  p.  Wrinkiad  pages  may  film 


Thia  itam  ia  fiimad  at  tha  reduction  ratio  chackad  balow/ 
Ca  document  eat  fiimA  au  taux  da  reduction  indiqui  ci-dai 


(OX 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

■ 

30X 

y\ 

'•*^-- 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  fllm«d  h«r«  has  bMn  raproductd  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Douglas  Library 
Quaan's  Univarsity 


L'axamplaira  fllmi  f  ut  raproiluit  griea  i  la 
g^nAroaM  da: 

Douglas  Library 
Quaan's  Univarsity 


Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaalbia  consldaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacif icationa. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatr«dtad  irnpras* 
sion,  or  tiM  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copias  ara  illmad  baginning  on  tita 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impraa- 
sion,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  v.'ith  a  printad 
or  illustratad  imprassion. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aach  microfiche 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^-  (maarting  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  ▼  (meaning  "END"), 
whichavar  appiias. 


Laa  imagaa  suh/antas  ont  4t4  raproduitas  avac.la 
piua  grand  soln.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  l'axamplaira  ftimA.  at  an 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
flimaga. 

Laa  axamplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
paplar  ast  imprlmte  sont  filmte  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'Impraaaion  ou  d'illuatration.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  aalon  la  caa.  Toua  las  autras  axamplairas 
originaux  aont  fllmte  an  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'Impraaaion  ou  d'illustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  taiia 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  symbolaa  suivants  apparaftra  sur  ia 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microfiche,  salon  ia 
cas:  la  symbols  -^  signifia  "A  SUIVRE",  ia 
symbols  ▼  signifia  "FIN". 


Maps,  piatas.  charts,  ate,  may  ba  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  frames  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrams  iiluatrata  the 
method: 


i.ea  cartes,  pienches,  tablaeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmie  A  dee  taux  da  rMuction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clichi,  11  est  film*  A  partir 
da  i'angle  eupirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  Ims,  sn  pranant  la  nombre 
d'imeges  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrant  ia  m4thoda. 


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8ISTORY 


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JEFFE»SOJf    COUNTY 


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HISTORY 


or 


JEFFERSON    COUNTY 


IN  TBI 


STATE  OF  NEW  YORK, 


ntOHTBl 


EARLIEST  PERIOD  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


BT 


FRANKLIN  B.  HOUGH,  A.  M.,  M.  D. 

ACTHOB  or  THI  HOTOKT  OF  BT.  UWKIKOI  Aid)  VKAinCUIf  COUimiS,  AMD  OOMatPOIfDim 

Mimn  or  tbs  hiw  tou  butorioai.  socmT. 


Firrt  Coontf  SeaL 


ALBANY: 
JOEL  MUNSELL,  78  STATE  STREET. 

WATERTOWN,  N.  Y.: 
STERLING  &  RIDDELL. 

1854. 


^Ti.JTJ'iHX 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Con^^ress,  in  the  year  18S4,  hj 

F&ANKLIN  B.  HOUGH, 

In  the  Clerk*!  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  Statea  for  the 
Northern  District  of  New  TorhL 


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PREFACE. 


Vis, 


1'^ 


Sixty  years  ago,  the  territory  now'embraeod  in  the  wealthy  and  popu- 
lous County  of  Jefferson,  was  an  unexplored  wilderness,  and  so  little  was 
known  of  its  geography,  that  in  a  statistical  work  of  that  period,*  Black 
River  is  said  to  rise  **  in  the  high  country  near  the  sources  of  Canada 
Creek,  which  falls  into  the  Mohawk  River,  and  takes  its  course  north 
west,  and  then  north  east,  until  it  discharges  itself  into  the  Cotaraqui 
or  Iroquois  River,  not  far  from  Swegauchee;  it  is  said  to  be  navigable 
for  bateaut  up  to  the  lower  falls,  sixty  miles,  which  is  distant  from  the 
flourishing  settlement  of  Whitestown  twenty-five  miles."  On  none  of 
the  early  French  or  English  maps  is  this  important  stream  represented. 
The  period  embraced  in  the  following  pages,  is  therefore  mostly  withiii 
the  memory  of  those  still  living.  •* 

The  important  duty  of  preserving  local  history,  and  recording  th« 
minor  events  that  attend  the  origin  of  institutions  and  communities,  is 
too  often  neglected  until  a  period  when  truth  becomes  blended  with 
fable,  and  the  original  materials  one  by  one  disappear ;%',  leave  the 
analysis  of  events  involved  in  an  impenetrable  mist  of  coutlk  i^ting  tradi- 
tions. In  collecting  the  materials  for  this  work,  original  sources  of  in- 
formation have  been  sought,  where  these  could  be  reached,  always  pre- 
fering  to  rely  upon  written  or  published  statements,  rather  than  unaided 
memory.  In  the  course  of  these  inquiries,  the  records  of  the  county, 
and  the  several  towns;  of  religious  and  other  societies;  the  files  of  local 
papers,  and  the  correspondenC'e  of  prominent  public  citizens,  the  records 
and  documents  of  land  offices,  and  the  archives  of  the  state  *  Albany, 
have  been  consulted.  Every  lown  and  village  has  been  vis  1  by  the 
author,  and  personal  interviews  obtained  with  great  numbers  of  promi- 
nent citizens  and  pioneers.  The  relative  value  to  be  attached  to  these 
several  sources  of  information,  has  been  carefully  examined,  with  the 
earnest  desire  to  arrive  at  a  correct  knov/ledge  of  the  varied  subjects  that 
make  up  the  following  volume.  While  sectional,  political,  or  personal 
interests  have  been  carefully  avoided,  it  has  been  our  highest  ambition 

•  Winterbotham's  View  «f  the  AnerfawB  United  Stalei,  1708,  vol  ii,  p.  aXk 


SiSitRS 


^^ 


Preface. 


to  give  prominence  to  every  department  of  iuduatry  that  constitntea  the 
preaent  wealth,  and  promiaea  the  future  welfare  of  the  county.  That 
errora  may  have  occurred  in  ao  great  n  number  of  namea  and  dbtea  aa 
nre  here  given,  ia  probable.  The  indulgence  of  the  reader  ia  aoliciied, 
in  marking  auch  ua  had  been  observed  in  the  aubsequent  reading  of 
the  firoofa,  and  which  are  noted  at  the  cloae  of  the  volume. 

Our  acknowledgmenta  are  tendered  to  the  aerveral  editora  of  the  Jef- 
fersonian,  New  York  Reformer,  Democratic  Union,  N(irthern  State  Jour« 
nal,  Jefferson  Democrat,  and  Jefflrson  Farmer,  for  the   uniform  kind* 
nesa  which  haa  heen  evinced  in  calling  public  attention  to  these  inquiries. 
To  the  Hon.  Wm.  C.  Pierrepont,  Elijah  B.  Allen,  and  Wm.  T.  Searles,  for 
traveling  facilities  in  collecting  these  data,  and  to  thu  above  named  gen- 
tlemen, and  the  following  citizena  of  the  county,  for  essential  aid  in  fur- 
nishing moteriala  for  the  work,  viz:    To  Mesars.  J.  Mullin,  R.  Lansing, 
T.  C.  Chittenden,  J.  F.  Starbuck,  J.  Clarke,  Wm.  Smith,  O.  V.  Braiuard,  S. 
and  £.  S.  Massey,  J.  C.  Sterling,  J.  Fairbanks,  P.  O.  Keyes,  L.  Pad- 
dock, J.  L.  Marsh,  County  Clerk;  Alvin  Hunt,  Daniel  Lee,  Clark  Rice, 
Drs.  A.  Trowbridge  and  R.  Goodall,  and  the  Rev.  Mesars.  J.  Bruyton, 
O.  M.  Hill,  P.  Snyder,  J.  \l.  Stewart  and  J.  S.  Holme,  of  Watertown; 
Cbl.  E.  Camp,  Rev.  L.  A.  Sawyer,  Rev.  J.  Burcbard,  Meaara.  T.  S.  Hull, 
E.  Fields,  E.  M.  Luff;  Capt  A.  Ford,  Capt.  Wm.  Vaughan  and  Capt.  S. 
McNitt,  of  Sacketa  Harbor;  Dr.  F.  A.  Knapp,  of  Smithville;  E.  Burn- 
ham,  Dr.  L.  Barney  and  Rev.  P.  Morse,  of  Henderson ;  J.  R.  Bates,  of 
Ellis  Village;  J.  D.  Houghton,  S.  Hackley,  D.  Ellis,  C.  Littlefield  and  W.  L. 
Cook,  of  Belleville;  D.  Wardwell,  of  Mannsville;  S.  D.  Hungerford,  W« 
Benton  and  Rev.  P.  C.  Headley,  of  Adams;  Rev.  D.  Spear,  of  Rodman; 
M.  Eames,  C.  Hopkins,  Dr.  C.  P.  Kemlmll  tyid  J.  Felt,  of  Rutland ;  N. 
Hublwrd  and  A.  Lathro|).  of  Champion ;  P.  S.  Stewart,  Dr.  £.  West  and 
T.  S.  Hammond,  of  Carthage;  Wm.  McAllaster  and   Rev.  C.  B.  Pond, 
of  Antwerp;  R.  Urmiston,  Jr.,  of  Ox  Bow;  Wm.  Fayel,  of  Theresa;  J. 
Clark,  of  Plesais;  E.  G.  Merrick  and  Rev.  J.  P.  Jennings,  of  Clayton;  J, 
N.  Rottiers,  of  Orleans;  S.  D.  Sloan,  of  Evans'  Mills;  O.  Child,  of  Phila- 
delphia; J.  B.  Kirby,  J.  E.  Brown,  Wm.  Lord,  G.  Brown,  Col.  J.  Brad- 
ley, Rev.  G.  B.  Eastman  (.nd  Rev.  S.  Holmes,  of  Brownville:  C.  V.  R. 
Horton  and  Wm.  Dewey,  of  Lyme;  and  John  B.  Esselstyn,  of  Cape  Vin- 
cent To  Dr.  T.  Komeyn  Beck,  of  Albany,  are  we  indebted  for  the  nse  nf 
the  several  cuts  of  fossils,  and  to  H.  E.  Pierrepont,  of  Brooklyn,  L  H.  Bron- 
son,  of  Palatka,  Fl.,  S.  A.  Abbey,  of  Cleveland,  O. ;  A.  Morton,  of  Monroe , 
Mich. ;  D.  Merritt  of  Salem,  Mass. ;  and  J.  H.  Lord  of  Oswego,  for  interest- 
ing communications,  and  to  i.  W.  Bostwick,  of  Lowville,  for  access  to  the 
land  papers  of  the  Low  Purchase. 


JUbcmji,  January  I2th,  1854. 


FRANKLIN  B.  HOUGH. 


CONTENTS. 


y 


Brad- 


Gil. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ABOBIQINAL  TBAOIS,  rBBMCH  HISTOBY.  <i 

Ambiffuity  of  relict  left  of  ancient  occupation— Tnicei  lest  ancient  than  those 
of  tlin  west — The  several  traces  described— Bone  pits — Metallic  relics — 
Aboriginal  names — The  Iroquois  dominion— Negotiations  of  the  Dutch 
English  and  French— De  La  Barre's  incursion  and  defeat  by  sickness — Ta- 
lented speech  of  Garangula,  the  Onondaga  orator — French  work  on  Six 
Town  Point— Post  at  mouth  of  Sundy  Creek— Carlton  Island— Its  history 
and  description, 9 

CHAPTER  II.         ' 

OBOANIZATIOM  Or  THK  OOUNTT,  FOBLIO  BUILDIMOS,  AC. 

Current  of  immigration— Previous  divisions  of  counties — Division  of  Oneida 
County  and  strong  Incal  interests — Convention  at  Difnmark — 0  -igin  of 
name — Act  erecting  Jefferson  and  Lewis  Counties — Boundaries  changed — 
County  Buildings  located— •Proceedings  of  Supervisors — Jail  limits — Court 
house  burnt  and  rebuilt — Maintenance  of  prisoners— Poor  house  built  and 
site  changed — Poor  house  system — Health  law  expenses — Bounties  for  nox- 
ious animals — Courts — Convivial  excesses  of  iirst  Court — Supervisor*  meet- 
ings,        S5 

CHAPTER  III. 

BISTOBT  or  LAHD  TITLES. 

Primitive  Indian  titles — Oneida  treaty— Land  Commissioners— Macomb's 
purchafd — Penet's  title — French  purchase — Canstable's  sales — Scheme  of  a 
French  Colony  occasioned  by  political  troubles — Articles  of  Association — 
Agency  of  Tillier — Surveys  and  incidents  connected  therewith — Death  of 
Pitaroux — Letter  descr!btr:<!^  r  rench  settlement  from  the  work  of  Hector  St. 
John  de  Crevecoeur — Agency  of  Morris — Antwerp  company — Sales  by  Le 
Ray— Bonaparte's  purchase— Bolyston's  and  Block  River  tracts— Title  of 
the  Islands, 38 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Towns  of  JErFSBSoN  cocmty. 

List  of,  with  dates  of  organization — Original  names-^History  of  each  town  in 
alphabetical  order — supervisors— Early  settlers — Incidents— Religious  Socie- 
ties, 4rc.,  of  each, 69 

CHAPTER  V. 

INTEBNAL  IMPB0TEMENT8. 

First  movement  by  Steuben— Road  opened  by  Tillier— Oswegatchie  road-» 
Letters  of  Judge  Ford— Lotteries— Legislative  acts— State  roads— Turn- 
pikes—Plank  roads— Rail  roads— Telegraphs— Black  River  canal— Origin 
of  Steam  Mavigation— List  of  steam  boaU— StMm  boat  companies, ...    307 


Contentt. 


'% 


CHAPTER  VI. 

■TATIITIOS  or  POPULATION   AND  IHROnauiS. 


SUtiitiet  of  popvlation — Africultural,  mBnuracturing,  and  commercial  retour* 
CM,  from  th<*  Mverel  ceniUMi — Nativity  orcitizeni — Pensioner! — Poit  routes 
and  poat  offices, 3S7 

CHAPTER  VII. 

LISTS  or  PUBLIC  OrriOBBS. 

Congressional  districts  —  Members  of  Congress  —  Assemblymen  —  Assembly 
districts — Clerics — StierifTs — Surrogates  —  Treasurers — Circuit  and  county 
judges — Assistant  justices— Justices  of  Sessions— District  Attorneys— Cor- 
oners— Loan  Commissioners —  Votes  at  elections  for  governor, 365 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

TBI  PKBIODIOAL  PRESS. 

Blaek  River  Gazette  at  Martinsburgh— Papers  published  at  Watertown — at 
Sackets  Harbor— at  Adams— at  Theresa— at  Carthage 373 

CHAPTER  IX. 

HISTORY  or  A0ADKMIX8. 

Early  movements  towards  founding — Watertown  Academy — Black  River  Insti* 
tute — Name  changed  to  Jefferson  County  Institute — Union  Literary  Society 
—Orleans  Academy— Brownville  Female  Seminary, 378 

CHAPTER  X. 

SOOIXTIKB  AMD  ASSOCIATIONS. 

Migxoui  Socittiti — Watertown  Presbytery — Black  River  Association — Me« 
thodist  Episcopal  Associations  —  Black  River  Baptist  Association  —  Free 
Communion  Baptist  yearly  meeting — Black  River  Association  (Universa* 
list) — Le  Ray  Monthly  Meeting — Lutherans — Benevolent  Societie$,  ire — Bi« 
ble — Sabbrtth  Union — Temperance — Educational — Aid  to  Greeks — Irish  re- 
lief  Medical  Society — Agricultural  Society — Town  Agricultural  Societies— 
jlMociation$  for  Mutual  Benefit — Masons— Odd  Fellows — Sons  of  Temper- 
ance — Good  Samaritans — Knights  of  Jericho — Jefferson  County  Industrial 
Association, 390 


CHAPTER  XI. 

BANKS— CORPORATIONS. 


Jefferson'County  Bank— Sackets  Harbor  Bank— Associated  Banks— Individual 
.    Banks^Insurance  Companies, 415 

CHAPTER  XII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

General  remarkK — Amos  Benedict,  Ethel  Bronson,  Jacob  Brown,  Peleg  Bur- 
chard,  I.  B.  Crawe,  Timothy  Dewey,  Robert  B.  Doxtater,  Dyer  Hunting- 
ton, Orville  Hungerford,  Perley  Keyes,  Edmund  Kirby,  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont, 
Hart  Massey,  John  Paddock,  Hezekiah  B.  Pierrepont.  Augustus  Sacket, 
M icah  Sterling,  Egbert  Ten  £yck,  George  White,  Benjamin  Wright,    419 


Content*. 
CHAPTER  XIII. 

VAB  WITH  OklAT  BSITAIN,  in>»inS. 


# 


Embtrfo— Smunlinf — SeUurei  —  Declaration  of  wmr — Attack  on  Saekctt 
Harbor — Affair  of  Jijlla — Attack  on  Oananoqui — Cruia*  of  Chauncey — Tal* 
of  Tom  Garnet— Plant  of  attack  diacuiied  in  Cabinet — Dearborn  appointed 
commander-in-ehir  r— Deicent  upon  York — Battle  of  Sacketa  Harbor — Pri- 
vateering on  the  St.  Lawrence — Exploit!  of  Gregory,  Vaughan  and  Dixon 
— Wilkin«on*a  expedition — Battle  of  Sandy  Creek — Naval  armamenta  on 
tilt  lake, 468 


■*^> 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ITINTI  or  1837-lMO. 


Excitement  from  burning  of  the  Caroline — Affair  of  Hickory  Island — Burning 
of  the  Peel — Affair  at  Preicott — Sympathy  for|priaonera — Release  of  Minora 
— AtUmpt  tc  bura  the  Great  Britain— Patriot  Bask, 019 

CHAPTER  XV. 

OIOLOOT,  MIIIIBAlOaT,  *0.  ^ 

Importance  of  cluiification— Primary  rock — Potadam  aandatone — Calciferous 
■andatone — Birdseye,  Black  River,  and  Trenton  limeetones — Utica  alate— 
Lorraine  alate — General  obaervations— Black  River — Lake  Ontario— Min- 
eral localitiea — Meteorological  table, 039 

,     APPENDIX. 

Letter  of  Charlevoix— Petition  of  Joseph  Bonaparte,  Count  Survillien— Ro- 
mance and  poetry  of  the  Thousand  Isles — Notes  on  Presbyterian  church  in 
Antwerp,  Associate  reformed  church  of  Ox  Bow  and  Baptiat  church  of 
Henderson — Jason  Fairbankr — Report  on  the  pfftition  for  a  tax  for  Union 
Literary  society — Brigadier  General  Pike — Correspondence  between  Gene- 
ral Brown  and  Governor  Tompkina  concer:  '  ^  the  war  of  1813 — Yon 
Schoultz  the  Patriot  leader, 063 

Ihdiz, 003 


# 


A 


HISTORY  OF  JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 


*m  •  m» 


CHAPTER  I. 


ABORIGINAL  TRACES,  FRBNCH  HISTORY. 

A  passing  tribute,  to  the  memory  of  a  race  who  have  left  but  fe^ 
traces  of  their  sojourn  in  ths  territory  now  embraced  in  Jefferson 
county,  may  not  be  deemed  inappropriate  before  entering  into 
the  details  that  make  up  our  authentic  history.  There  are  prd- 
bably  few  who  have  not  dwelt  with  peculiar  interest  upon  the 
glimpses  we  catch  through  the  mists  of  the  past,  of  whole  tribes 
of  men  that  have  vanished  from  the  earth,  leaving  no  heirs  or 
representatives  to  inherit  the  richer  blessings  of  our  age;  of 
nations  whose  part  in  the  great  drama  of  human  life  must  always 
be  the  theme  of  conjecture;  whose  sages  are  forgotton,  and 
whose  warriors  sleep  unhonored  in  the  dim  obscurity  of  oblivion. 
Few  are  the  monuments  we  may  interrogate,  dnd  doubtful  the 
interpretation  of  the  enigmas  which  the  scattered  traces  of  their 
existence  offer,  nor  can  these  furnish  the  basis  of  a  well-founded 
conjecture  of  the  people,  or  the  period,  or  in  some  instahces  the 
object  with  which  they  were  related.  At  most,  we  can  but  offer 
a  few  facta,  and  leave  the  field  of  conjecture  open  to  those  who 
may  have  more  ample  means  of  comparison,  and  the  leisure  and 
talent  to  devote  to  this  deeply  interesting  field  of  inquiry.  The 
general  inference  which  has  been  reached  by  those  whose  re- 
searches have  been  especially  devoted  to  this  study,  is  that  none 
of  the  remains  of  art  in  this  section  of  the  state,  can  pretend  to 
the  antiquity  that  belongs  to ,  the  mound  builders  of  the  Ohio 
valley;  that  they  indicate  at  most  but  a  slight  attainment  in 
civilization;  that  they  denote  no  further  object  than  self  defense, 
or  simple  sustenance;  and.  that  they  evince  no  general  plans, 
no  organized  system,  beyond  what  the  necessities  of  the  moment 
suggested.  Further  than  this  we  know  nothing.  The  enclosures 
hereafter  described  exhibit  that  similarity  that  leads  us  to  believe 
them  the  work  of  the  same  race,  for  a  common  object-^pro» 


I 


10 


Aboriginal  Traces. 


tection  against  a  cotemporary  foe;  thus  showing  that  wars  arc, 
if  not  inherent  in  human  nature,  at  least  coeval  with  the  first 
dawnings  of  civilization. 

In  the  town  of  Le  Ra^,  a  short  distance  below  the  village  of 
Black  River,  and  on  the  road  to  Watertown,  was  formerly  the 
trace  of  a  trench  enclosure.  The  work  was  irregularly  semi- 
circular, inclosing  about  one  and  a  quarter  acres  of  ground,  and 
a  short  distance  from  the  bank  of  Black  River,  the  side  towards 
which  was  open,  the  ends  of  the  embankment  extending  a  short 
distance  down  the  slope,  and  curving  inward  *'  as  if  to  prevent 
the  flank  from  being  turned  by  an  enemy."*  A  portion  of  the 
bank  and  ditch  outside  may  still  be  traced  in  the  road,  but  the 
greater  part  has  long  been  Ipveled  by  cultivation.  In  the  fields 
adjacent,  are  the  traces  of  hearths,  numerous  fragments  of  rude 
pottery,  bones  of  animals,  and  stone  chisels.!  Human  bones 
have  also  been  found  in  the  vicinity.  Although  the  banks  have 
been  mostly  leveled,  yet  their  locality  may  be  traced  without 
much  difficulty. 

..  About  a  mile  north  of  this,  is  another  and  larger  one,  which, 
like  the  first,  contains  in  and  around  it  the  usual  Indian  relics. 
It  occupies  a  plain  but  little  elevated  above  a  flat  that  was  once 
flowed  by  a  beaver  dam,  making  a  shallow  pond  several  acres 
in  extent.  The  remains  of  the  dam  may  still  be  traced  on 
West  Creek,  which  has  its  source  not  tar  distant. 

Two  trench  enclosures  formerly  existed  near  Sanford's  Cor- 
ners in  Le  Ray,  but  no  trace  of  the  original  works  remains. 
When  first  seen,  the  bank,  measured  from  the  bottom  of  the  ditch, 
vas  six  feet  high.  An  unusual  amount  of  relics  have  been 
afforded  by  the  adjacent  fields,  and  several  human  skeletons,  alt 
buried  in  the  sitting  posture,  have  been  exhumed.  Like  most 
ethers,  they  were  built  near  the  banks  of  a  stream  of  water,  and 
had  at  irregular  intervals,  gateways  or  passages.  The  ground 
within  and  around  was  formerly  a  pine  forest,  which  extended 
many  miles  in  the  direction  of  Carthage. 

On  both  sides  of  Perch  Lake  and  on  Linnets  Island  in  an  ad- 
jacent swamp,  there  were,  when  the  country  was  first  explored, 
u  great  number  of  mounds  or  barrows,  supposed  by  some  to  be 
burial  places.  They  present  much  uniformity  in  appearance, 
being  circular,  from  two  to  four  rods  across,  from  two  to  four 
feet  nigh,  and  uniformly  having  a  depression  in  the  centre,  as  if 
a  vault  had  formerly  existed  there,  which  has  since  fallen  in. 
When  dug  into,  they  are  said  to  contain  burnt  stone,  charred  corn, 

^Aboriginal  Monuments  of  New  York,  by  E.  6.  Squier,  Smithsonian 
Contributions,  vol.  II,  art.  vi,  p.  23,  fig.  3,  pi.  3. 

t  See  Third  Annual  Report  of  Regents  of  the  University  on  the  Condition 
of  the  Stat«  Cabinet,  p.  lOt. 


ii 


Aboriginal  Traces. 


n 


an  ad- 

plored, 

le  to  be 

arance, 

to  four 

e,  as  if 

len  in. 

d  corn^ 

:thsonian 
!onditioa 


broken  earthen,  &c.;  but  no  opportunity  was  afforded  to  the 
author  to  examine  their  structure.  Most  of  them  have  been 
plowed  down,  but  a  few  are  said  to  remain  on  the  west  side  of  the 
Perch  Lake  in  their  primitive  state.  In  Houndsfield,  on  the  shore 
of  Black  River  Bay,  between  Muskellunge  Creek  and  Storrs' 
Harbor,  is  said  to  have  existed  formerly  a  trench  enclosure  of 
the  ordinary  form.  We  have  not  learned  whether  it  is  wholly  or 
*n  part  preserved,  nor  is  its  extent  known.  Some  of  the  largest 
trees  of  the  forest  grew  upon  and  within  the  bank.  In  Water- 
town,  on  lot  No.  29,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  south-west  from 
the  village,  may  still  be  seen  in  an  open  wood,  and  in  a  fine  state 
of  preservation,  the  outline  of  a  work  consisting  of  a  bank  thrown 
up  from  a  surrounding  ditch,  and  evidently  intended  as  a  de- 
fensive work.  It  is  on  the  summit  of  a  gradually  sloping  terrace 
of  Trenton  Limestone,  and  commands  a  delightful  prospect. 
Elms,  three  feet  in  diameter,  are  found  growing  upon  the  bank, 
and  the  decaying  remains  of  others  still  larger,  within  and  upon 
it,  carry  back  tlie  date  of  i(s  construction  to  an  ante-Columbian 
period.  In  the  same  range  and  lot,  on  premises  owned  by  Anson 
Hungerford,  Esq.,  and  about  forty  rods  east,  there  was  formerly 
another  enclosure,  with  gateways,  the  position  and  extent  of 
which  cannot  now  be  ascertained,  as  the  bank  has  long  since 
been  leveled  by  cultivation.  The  one  first  mentioned,  is  semi- 
circular, the  open  side  facing  upon  the  bank*  Half  a  mile  east 
of  Burrville,  on  lot  No.  31,  was  formerly  a  defensive  work,  con- 
sisting of  a  mound  and  ditch,  running  across  a  point  between  two 
streams  near  their  junction,  and  forming  by  the  aid  of  the  natural 
banks  a  triangular  enclosure.  The  plow  has  long  ago  filled  the 
ditch  and  leveled  the  bank,  leaving  no  trace  of  the  work.  The 
soil  has  afforded  a  great  abundance  and  variety  of  relics,  and  the 
vicinity  indicates  that  it  had  been  occupied  as  an  Indian  village. 
W^ithin  the  enclosure  is  a  boulder  of  gneiss,  worn  smooth  and 
concave  in  places  by  the  grinding  of  stone  implements.  On  a 
point  of  land  opposite,  the  author  found  an  iron  ball  weighing  eight 
ounces,  and  others  have  been  picked  up  in  the  vicinity,  indicating 
that  the  place  must  have  been  passed,  at  least,  by  those  who 
kn^w  the  use  of  small  otdnance,  probably  the  French,  on  some 
of  their  expeditions  against  the  Iroquois.!  Mr.  Squier,  in  his 
work  on  the  ancient  monuments  of  New  Yoi  k,  mentions  the  trace 
of  an  Indian  village  a  mile  north-east  of  this. 

Near  Appling  post  office,  on  the  land  of  D.  Talcott,  in  Adams,, 
near  the  line  of  Watertown,  is  still  to  be  seen  the  trace  of  a 

.  '^Smithsonian  Contributions  to  Knowledge,  vol.  II,  an.  vi,  p.  30,  fig.  2,  pi.  2. 
See  also  N.  Y.  Senate  Document  No.  30,  1851,  p.  105,  plate  7.  These  platea 
are  from  independent  surveys  but  are  very  similar.  V 

tSenateDoc.  l&U,  No.  30,  p.  107.    Smithsonian  Contrib.  JI,  paftyi,  p.  3(1, 


12 


Aboriginal  Tracen. 


work  of  great  extent  and  interest.  It  is  on  the  brow  of  the  upper 
terrace  of  Trenton  limestone,  overlooking  a  vast  extent  of  coun- 
tty  to  the  west  and  north.  The  bank  has  an  average  height 
of  three  and  base  of  ten  feet,  with  an  external  ditch  of  corre- 
sponding dimensions,  and  there  were  about  seven  gateways  or 
interruptions  in  the  work,  which  had  an  elliptical  form,  one  side 
bordering  upon  a  beaver  pond,  and  bounded  by  an  abrupt  bank, 
about  thirty  f^et  high.  Upon  and  within  the  work,  trees  of  an 
enormous  size  are  growing,  and  the  decaying  fragments  of  others 
carry  back  the  origin  of  the  work  several  hundred  years.  A  great 
number  of  small  pits  or  caches,  occur  wrhere  provisions  were 
stored  for  concealment;  as  shown  by  quantities  of  parched  corn. 
Several  skeletons  have  been  exhumed  here,  which  had  been 
buried  in  a  sitting  posture,  and  its  relics  are  the  same  as  those 
above  mentioned. 

Near  the  north-west  corner  of  Rodman,  on  lot  number  two,  on 
the  farm  of  Jared  Freeman,  was  formerly  an  interesting  work, 
of  which  no  trace  remains,*  except  a  boulder  of  gneiss,  worn 
smoth  by  grinding.  Before  the  place  had  been  cultivated,  it  is 
said  to  have  shown  an  oval  double  bank,  with  an  intervening 
crescent-shaped  space,  and  a  short  bank  running  down  a  gentle 
slope  to  a  small  stream,  one  of  the  sources  of  Stony  Creek,  that 
flows  near.  Several  hundred  bushels  of  burnt  corn  were  turnrd 
out,  over  an  area  one  rod  by  eight,  showing  that  this  must  have 
been  an  immense  magazine  of  food.  On  the  farm  of  Jacob 
Heath,  on  lot  No.  25,  near  the  v«rest  line  of  Rodman,  and  on  the 
north  bank  of  North  Sandy  Creek,  a  short  distance  above  the 
confluence  of  the  two  main  branches  of  that  stream,  there  formerly 
existed  an  enclosure  of  the  same  class.  It  included  about  three 
acres,  was  overgrown  with  heavy  timber,  and  furnished  within 
and  without,  when  plowed,  a  great  quantity  and  variety  of  terra 
cotta,  in  fragments,  but  no  metallic  relics.  Under  the  roots  of  a 
large  maple  was  dug  up  the  bones  of  a  man  of  great  stature, 
and  furnished  with  entire  rows  of  double  teeth. 

On  the  farm  of  Wells  Benton,  half  a  mile  from  Adams  Village, 
was  an  enclosure  similar  to  the  others,  and  affording  the  usual 
variety  of  relics;  and  another  trace  of  an  ancient  work  of  a  si- 
milar character  is  mentioned  in  Adams,  two  miles  north  of  the 
village.  On  the  farm  of  Peter  Durfey,  near  Bellville,  in  Ellis- 
burgh,  is  still  another,  which,  from  the  description  given-  by  those 
who  have  examined  it,  does  not  differ  in  age  or  general  appear- 
ance from  others,  having  gateways  at  irregular  intervals,  and 
being  guarded  on  one  side  by  a  natural  defense. 

The  present  cemetry,  a  little  above  Ellis  Village,  presents  the 
4  trace  of  a  work  that  was  crescent-shaped,  and,  by  the  aid  of  the 

*  Senate  Do:un  ent,  1851,  No.  30,  p.  109,  where  a  plan  is  given. 


f 


Aboriginal  Traces. 


13 


natural  bank  on  which  it  was  built,  formed  an  irregular  enclosure 
of  about  two  acres.  On  the  south  bank  of  South  Sandy  Creek, 
three  miles  from  its  mouth,  was  a  similar  work,  defended  on  one 
side  bv  an  abrupt  bank,  and  now  entirely  leveled  by  tillage.  A 
considerable  number  of  places  occur  in  Ellisburgh,  which  must 
have  been  inhabited  by  the  aborigines.  The  fertility  of  the  soil, 
excellence  of  water,  and  vicinity  to  valuable  salmon  fisheries, 
and  extensive  hunting  grounds,  must  have  afibrded  many  attrac- 
tions to  the  savages.  Probably  several  traces  of  ancient  works 
in  this  section  of  the  country  may  have  been  leveled  by  tillage, 
without  exciting  suspicion  of  their  nature.  Besides  these,  one 
is  mentioned  as  having  occurred  near  Tylerville,  and  another  in 
Houndsfield,  two  miles  from  Brownville. 

One  of  the  most  conclusive  evidences  of  ancient  military 
occupation  and  conflict,  occurs  in  Rutland,  near  the  residence 
of  Abner  Tamblin,  one  mile  from  the  western  line  of  the  town, 
and  two  miles  from  the  river.  It  is  on  the  summit  of  the  Trenton 
limestone  terrace,  which  forms  a  bold  escarpment,  extending  down 
the  river,  and  passing  across  the  southern  part  of  Watertown. 
There  here  occurs  a  slight  embankment,  and  ditch  irregularly  oval, 
with  several  gateways;  and  along  the  ditch,  in  several  places, 
have  been  found  great  numbers  ot  skeletons,  almost  entirely  of 
males,  and  lying  in  great  confusion,  as  if  they  had  been  slain  in 
defending  it.  Among  these  bones  were  those  of  a  man  of  co- 
lossal size,  and  lik*,  nine-tenths  of  the  others^  furnished  vrith  a 
row  of  dovble  teeth  in  each  jaw.  This  singular  peculiarity, 
with  th;tt  of  broad  flat  jaws,  retreating  forehead,  and  great 
prominence  of  the  occiput,  which  was  common  to  most  of  these 
skulls,  may  hereafter  anord  some  clue  to  their  history.  There  is 
said  to  have  been  found  at  this  place  by  excavating,  hearths,  or 
fire  places,  with  bones  of  animals,  broken  pottery,  and  imple- 
ments of  stone,  at  two  different  levels,  separated  by  an  accumu- 
lation of  earth  and  vegetable  mould  from  one  to  two  feet  thick, 
as  if  the  place  had  been  twice  occupied.  So  great  has  been  the 
length  of  time  since  these  bones  have  been  covered,  that  they 
fall  to  pieces  very  soon  after  being  exposed  to  the  air.  CharrcJ 
corn,  bones,  and  relics,  occur  at  both  levels,  but  more  abund- 
antly at  the  lower.  At  numerous  places,  not  exhibiting  traces 
of  fortification,  are  found  fire  places,  accumulations  of  chips,  of 
flint,  and  broken  pottery;  as  if  these  points  had  been  occupied 
as  dwellings.  In  several  places  hone  fits  have  been  found,  where 
human  remains  in  great  numbers  have  been  accumulated.  One 
is  mentioned  as  occurring  near  Brownville  Village,*  where  in  a 
space  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  square  and  four  deep,  a  great  number 
of  skeletons  were  thrown.    Another  deposit  of  bones  occurs  in 


A 


*  Srnithscnian  Ccitributiona,  11,  iiiirt  vi,  p  25. 


H 


Traces  of  Indian  Occupation. 


Ellisburgh,  nearly  opposite  an  ancient  work,  on  South  Sandy 
Creek,  near  a  house  now  occupied  by  J.  W.  Ellis;  where,  in  dig- 
ging a  cellar  in  18 18,  bones  in  great  numbers  were  found.  In  1842, 
there  was  found  in  Rutland,  three  miles  from  Watertown,  under  a 
pile  of  stones,  about  three  feet  high,  which  rested  on  a  circular 
flat  stone,  a  pit  four  feet  square  and  two  deep,  filled  with  the  bones 
of  men  and  animals,  thrown  together  in  great  confusion.*  These 
exhibit  marks  of  teeth  as  if  they  had  been  gnawed  by  animals. 
This,  with  the  charcoal  and  charred  corn  in  the  vicinity,  has  been 
thought  to  indicate  ancient  massacre  and  pillage,  in  which  an 
Indian  village  was  destroyed  and  the  bones  of  the  slain  afterwards 
collected  and  buried  by  friends.  It  was  estimated  that  thirty  or 
forty  skeletons  were  buried  here,  besides  parts  of  animals,  that 
may  have  been  killed  for  food.  A  custom  is  said  to  have  pre- 
vailed among  some  Indian  tribes,  of  collecting  and  burying  at 
stated  intervals,  the  bones  of  their  dead,  and  some  of  these  de- 
positories may  have  thus  originated.  The  earthen,  found  around 
these  localities,  was  of  the  coarsest  and  rudest  character;  exter- 
nally smooth,  except  where  marked  by  lines  and  dots,  in  fantastic 
and  ever-varying  combinations  of  figures,  and  internally  rough 
from  the  admixture  of  course  sand  and  gravel.  There  was  no 
glazing  known  to  these  primitive  potters,  who  possessed  never- 
theless, a  certain  degree  of  ta&te  and  skill;  and  sometimes 
attempted  on  their  pipes  and  jars,  an  imitation  of  the  human 
face  and  fantastic  images  of  serpents  and  wjld  animals.  Uarely, 
metallic  relics  of  undoubted  antiquity  are  lound.  A  chisel  of 
copper  before  us,  is  of  this  class;  and  the  metal  from  which  this, 
and  other  relics  of  this  kind  were  made,  was  doubtless  procured 
from  Lake  Superior.  A  fragment  of  a  sword  blade,  around  which 
the  wood  of  a  tree  had  grown,  was  found  by  the  first  settlers  of 
Ellisburgh.  Muskets,  balls,  hatchets,  knives  and  other  imple- 
ments of  metal,  have  been  at  various  times  turned  out  by  the 
plow;  but  none  of  the  articles  of  undoubted  European  origin 
can  claim  an  antiquity  prior  to  the  French  and  Indian  wars. 

There  was  found  several  years  since  in  the  sand,  at  a  deep 
cutting  of  the  rail  road,  near  the  Poor  House,  an  oval  ball,  about 
three  inches  long,  which  for  some  time  was  used  by  children  as 
a  plaything.  From  its  lightness  and  hardness,  it  excited  curiosity, 
and  it  was  cut  open  when  it  was  found  to  contain  astrip  of  parch- 
ment and  another  ball;  this  latter  also  contained  another  ball  and 
strip  of  parchment,  in  all  three.  One  of  these  is  preserved,  and 
is  I  by  11|  inches,  containing,  written  on  one  side,  four  lines  of 
Hebrew  characters,  without  vowel  points,  quoted  from  Deutero- 
nomy xi,  13  to  21  inclusive.  The  case  containing  these  was 
apparently  made  of  hide,  and  it  had  been  doubtless  used  as  an 

*  Third  Rsport  of  Regents  on  Cabinet,  1850,  p.  102. 


French  Expeditiotu. 


\i 


th  Sandy 
e,  in  dig- 
In  1842, 
[),  under  a 
i.  circular 
the  bones 
•    These 
animals. 
,  has  been 
Avhich  an 
fterwards 
thirty  or 
nals,  that 
lave  pre- 
urying  at 
these  de- 
lid  around 
;r;  exter- 
fantaslic 
lly  rough 
s  was  no 
ed  ntver- 
ometimes 
le  human 
Uarely, 
chisel  of 
hich  this, 
procured 
nd  which 
lettlers  of 
er  imple- 
lit  by  the 
in  origin 
wars, 
kt  a  deep 
11,  about 
lildren  as 
curiosity, 
of  parch- 
r  ball  and 
ved,  and 
lines  of 
Peutero- 
ese  was 
sed  as  an 


amulet,  by  some  traveling  Jew,  or  had  been  procured  by  the 
Indians  as  a  charm,  at  a  period  not  prior  to  the  French  era  of 
our  history.  This  section  of  the  state,  at  the  earliest  period  of 
authentic  history,  was  occupi^id  by  the  Oneidas  and  Onondagai^, 
as  a  hunting  ground;  and  one  or  two  trails  were  perceptible 
when  surveyed  in  1796.  Occasionally  the  St.  Regis  Indians 
would  find  their  way  into  our  territory,  but  oftener  the  Massa- 
saugas  from  the  north  shore  of  the  lake.  The  Oneidas  considered 
them  as  intruders  and  the  latter  seldom  allowed  themselves  to  fall 
in  their  way,  from  which  reason  the  visits  of  the  natives  were 
stealthy  and  unfkcquent,  and  nothing  would  fill  the  foreign  Indians 
with  apprehensions  sooner  than  being  told  that  the  Oneidas  were 
in  the  neighborhood.  After  the  war  nothing  was  seen  or  heard 
from  them.  Of  our  aboriginal  names  of  places  in  our  country 
but  few  are  preserved.  Mr.  L.  H.  Morgan  has  given  on  a  map, 
accompanying  his  work,  entitled,  The  League  of  the  IroquoiSf 
the  following,  as  they  are  known  in  the  Seneca  dialect: 

Lake  Ontario,  Neahga.    Tecarneodi. 

Sandy  Creek,  Tekadaogahe. 

Black  River,  Kahuahgo. 

Sackets  Harbor,  Gahuagojetwaraalote. 

fFo//* /«/an(2,  Deawokedacanauda. . 

"^St,  Lawrence,  Ganowogeh.  Gahunda. 

Indian  River,  Ojequack. 

On  an  ancient  French  map  in  Yale  College  library,  Carlton 
Island  is  designated  Cahihououage.  A  town  at  the  m^uth  of  Black 
River,  Otihanague.  The  St.  Regis  Indians  name  Black  River 
JVikahionhakown  or  big  river.  In  Mr.  Squier's  work,  on  the 
antiquities  of  the  state,  it  is  called  Kamargo;  French  Creek  is 
by  the  St.  Regis  called  Jitenharakwehtare,  the  place  where  the 
fence  or  wall  fell  down.  The  Ox  Bow  of  Oswegatchie  riyer  they 
name  Onontohent_a  hill  with  the  same  river  both  sides. 

Although  our  territory  was  not  actually  inhabited  at  the  time 
it  first  became  known  to  Europeans,  it  is  not  without  incident 
connected  with  the  wars  between  the  French  in  Canada,  and  the 
Iroquois  of  New  York,  who  from  an  early  period  had  been  under 
the  influence  of  the  English.  Within  a  very  few  years  from  the 
time  of  fir^t  occupation,  the  French  had  penetrated  far  into  the 
interior,  explored  the  great  lakes,  discovered  the  Mississippi  near 
its  source,  and  established  small  ports  for  the  double  purpose  of 
securing  the  fur  trade,  and  converting  to  their  religion  the  na- 
tives. The  Dutch  had  conciliated  the  Iroquois,  and  their  influ* 
ence  had  been  transferred  to  the  English,  who  succeeded  them, 
which  led  to  a  hostile  incursion  by  De  Courcelles  and  De  Tracy 
against  the  Mohawks  in  1665-6,  resulting  in  nothing  but  the 
murder  of  a  few  aged  warriors,  who  preferred  death  to  the  aban- 


m 


"  I' 


i  t 


11 


■i 


IS  Englitih  JecUousieg. — Negotiation. 

donment  of  their  homes,  and  in  exciting  to  a  greater  degree  of 
insolence  the  Indians,  \irho  sometime  alter,  fel]  upon  a  party  of 
French  hunters,  killed  several,  and  carried  others  away  prisoners. 
Peace  was  subsequently  gained,  during  which  the  French  got  the 
permission  of  the  natives  to  erect  a  fort  at  Cataroqui  (Kingston), 
ostensibly  to  protect  the  traders  and  their  merchandise.  The 
Jesuits,  meanwhile,  availing  themselves  of  the  peace,  penetrated 
the  settlements  of  the  Five  Nations,  and  acquired  to  some  degree 
an  influence  with  the  Onondagas.  The  Senecas  and  Cayugas 
were  still  jealous  of  the  French,  and  continued  to  annoy  their 
trade,  which  led  to  a  complaint*  from  De  la  Barre,  governor  of 
Canada,  to  Governor  Dongan  of  New  York,  that  these  savages 
had  plundered  seven  canoes,  and  detained  fourteen  French  traders; 
to  which  the  principal  Seneca  sachem  returned  a  spirited  reply, 
and  Dongan  requested  the  French  to  keep  their  own  side  of  the 
lake.f  This  provoked  an  insolent  letter  from  the  French  gov- 
ernor, in  which  he  said:  '*  I  sent  Sieur  Bourbon  to  you  to  advise 
you  of  the  vengeance  I  was  about  to  wreak  for  the  insult  inflicted 
on  the  Christian  name  by  the  Senecas  and  Cayugas,  and  you 
answer  me  about  pretensions  to  the  possessions  of  lands  of  wliich 
neither  you  nor  I  are  judges,  but  our  two  kings  who  have  sent 
us,  and  of  which  there  is  no  question  at  present,  having  no  thought 
of  conquering  countries,  but  of  making  the  Christian  name  and 
the  French  people  to  be  respected,  and  in  which  1  will  spill  the 
last  drop  of  my  blood.  I  have  great  esteem  for  your  person,  and 
considerable  desire  to  preserve  the  honor  of  his  Britannic  Ma- 
jesty's good  graces,  as  well  as  those  of  my  Lord  the  Duke  of 
York;  and  I  even  believe  that  they  will  greatly  appreciate  my 
chastisement  of  those  who  insult  you  and  capture  you  every  day, 
as  they  have  done  this  winter  in  Merilande.  But  if  I  was  so 
unfortunate  as  that  you  desired  to  protect  robbers,  assassins  and 
traitors,  I  could  not  distinguish  their  protectors  from  themselves. 
I  pray  you  then  to  attach  faith  to  the  credit  which  I  give  S.  de 
Calvage,  to  explain  every  thing  to  you;  and  if  the  Senecas  and 
Cayugas  wish  your  services  as  their  intercessor,  to  take  security 
from  them,  not  in  the  Indian  but  in  the  European  fashion,  with- 
out which,  and  the  honor  of  hearing  from  you,  I  shall  attack 
them  towards  the  20th  of  the  month  of  August,  New  Style."| 
A  plan  of  operations  had  been  previously  arranged  under  the 
direction  of  the  home  government,  and  a  negotiation  with  the 
governor  of  New  York  could  have  no  other  object  than  to  amuse 
and  keep  inactive  the  English  forces  by  professions  of  amity,  and 
a  declaration  that  they  were  only  at  war  with  traitors  and  rob- 
bers, common  enemies  of  mankind.    Preliminaries  being  settled,^ 

♦Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.  Vol.  I,  p.  99.     fib.  p.  200.  ti  w    ■         -<.„.,; 

tLondon  Doc.  V.    ^Dog.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  I,  p.  110. 


De  La  Barrels  Expedition. 


V7 


# 


De  la  Barre,  in  June;  1684,  sent  five  or  six  picked  soldiers,  and 
as  many  luechanics  to  Fort  Frontenac,  to  repair  that  post,  and 
on  the  9th  of  July  left  Quebec,  in  three  divisions,  at  the  head  of 
300  militia,  which  was  increased  to  650  at  Montreal.  The 
regulars  and  Indian  allies  made  the  entire  army  about  2000  men,  a 
very  powerful  army  for  the  time.  From  the  difficulty  of  procuring 
boats  and  provisions,  the  obstruction  of  the  rapids,  and  the  preva- 
lence of  south-west  winds,  the  army  was  delayed  till  past  the 
middle  of  August  in  arriving  at  Frontenac.  Meanwhile,  through 
the  influence  of  Lamberville,  a  Jesuit  at  Onondaga,  that  village 
had  become  anxious  that  the  difficulties  might  be  settled  by 
mediation,  a  course  to  which  De  la  Barre  was  the  more  inclined 
from  the  shortness  of  provisions  with  which  he  was  threatened. 
He  had  crossed  with  his  army  to  La  Famine,*  a  point  favorable 
for  hunting  and  fishing,  24  leagues  from  Onondaga,  to  await 
the  result  of  negotiation.  Here,  exposed  to  the  sultry  heats  ot 
August,  and  scantily  supplied  with  provisions,  most  of  his  men 
were  attacked  with  intermittent  fevers,  which  assumed  a  malig- 
nant type,  and  destroyed  numbers,  while  it  incapacitated  the 
remainder  from  hostile  operations.  Being  thus  situated,  he  hastily 
despatched  a  Christian  savage  to  La  Moine,  at  Onondaga,  to 
have  him  hasten  the  departure  of  those  whom  the  Iroquois  had 
agreed  to  send  to  treat  with  the  French  governor.  This  was 
done  with  promptness,  and  on  the  third  of  September,  nine 
deputies  from  Onondaga,  three  from  Oneida  and  two  from  Cayuga, 
arrived  from  La  Moine,  and  were  courteously  received  by  the 
governor,  who  deferred  the  business  of  the  embassy  till  the  mor- 
row. The  Senecas,  against  whom  especially  the  vengeance  of 
the  French  was  to  have  been  directed,  did  not  condescend  to 
send  representatives  to  the  treaty,  and  returned  an  insolent 
answer  to  the  invitation.  They  had  been  privately  assured  of 
assistance  from  Dongan,  the  English  governor,  in  case  they  were 
attacked.  The  inclination  for  peace  which  the  Onondagas, 
Oneidas  and  Cayugas  evinced,  may  be  ascribed  to  the  ascend- 
ency which  the  Jesuits  residing  among  them  had  acquired. 
Colden,  the  historian  of  the  Five  Nations,  gives  the  following 
version  of  the  speeches  that  were  delivered  on  the  occasion.    De 

■*The  precise  locality  of  La  Famine  admits  of  a  little  doubt.  Golden  sayi 
{Five  Nation$,  I,  p.  64),  "La  Famine,  by  the  Indians  called  Kaihohage,  falls 
into  the  south  sidte  of  the  Cadarackui  Lake,  about  30  miles  from  Onondaga. 
Hungry  Bay,  which  may  be  a  translation  of  the  word,  is  on  some  old  maps 
represented  as  Chaumont  Bay,  on  others  Hend<>rson  Bay,  and  on  others,  all 
within  Point  Peninsula  and  Stony  Island.  De  Meneles,  the  commissary  of  the 
expedition,  in  a  letter  to  the  mmister  {Parii  Doc,  II),  says  that  the  camp 
at  La  Famine  was  made  "in  places  never  inhabited,  entirely  surrounded 
by  swamps."  These  render  it  nrobable  that  the  locality  was  in  Henderson  or 
Ellisburgh,  more  probably  in  the  latter  town,  which  has  extensive  marshes 
near  the  lake,  on  both  branches  of  Big  Sandy  Creek 


■^1^.: 


18 


Speech  of  De  la  Barre. 


)a  Barre  was  seated  in  an  arm  chair,  the  French  officers  making 
a  semicircle  on  one  side,  while  Ganingula,  the  orator  of  the 
Onondagas,  with  the  warriors  that  attended  him,  completed  the 
circle  on  the  other.  The  arrangements  being  made,  the  French 
governor  spoke  as  follows: 

"  The  kinir,  my  inaater,  b«in|r  informed  that  the  Five  Natiuni)  have  of- 
ten infringed  the  peuce,  tiiiti  ordered  me  lo  voiiie  hither,  with  a  guard, 
ami  to  lend  Oliguesae  to  tbu  Oiiondugaa  to  bring  the  chief  Sachem  to 
my  cniiip.  The  iiitunlion  of  the  great  king  is,  that  ^ou  and  I  may  amoke 
the  cahnnet  of  |>eflce  togetlier,  but  ou  thia  condition,  that  you  promiae 
me  iu  the  name  of  the  Seiiecas,  Cayugaa,  Onondagaa  and  Alohuwka  to 
give  entire  aatiafuciioii  niid  reimmtioii  to  hia  aubjecta,  and  for  tlie  future 
never  to  inoleat  them.  Tiie  Seiiecaa,  Cayuguv,  Onondagaa,  Oneidaa  and 
Mohuwka'  have  robbed  and  nbuaed  all  the  trudera  that  wero  paaaing  to 
tiie  lilinoia  and  Uninmies,  and  other  Indian  nationa,  the  children  of  my 
king.  'J'hey  have  acted  on  theae  occaaiona  contrary  to  the  treaty  of 
peace  with  my  prednceaaor.  I  am  ordered,  therefore,  to  demand  aatia- 
tiiction,  and  tu  tell  tliem  that  in  case  of  refuaal,  or  their  plundering  ua 
liny  more,  that  I  have  expreaa  ordura  to  declare  war.  Thia  belt  conflrma 
my  words.  The  wnrriorsof  the  Five  Nationa  have  conducted  the  Engliab 
into  the  lakea,  which  lielong  to  the  king,  my  inaater,  and  b>'ought  the 
Ebgliah  among  the  nationa  that  are  hia  children,  to  deatrov  tut.  trade  of 
hia  aubjecta,  and  to  withdraw  theae  naUona  from  him.  They  have  car- 
ried  the  £ugliah  thither,  notwithstanding  the  prohibition  of  the  late  Gov- 
ernor of  New  York,  who  foresaw  the  riak  that  lioth  they  and  you  would 
run.  I  am  willing  to  forget  these  thinga,  but  if  ever  the  like  ahall  hap- 
pen for  the  future,  I  have  expreaa  orders  to  declare  war  against  you. 
This  belt  confirma  my  words. 

Your  warriors  have  ninde  aeveral  barbarous  innursiona  on  the  Illinois 
and  Umamies ;  they  have  massacred  men,  women  and  children,  and  have 
made  many  of  these  nations  prisoners,  who  thought  themselves  safe  in 
their  villages,  in  time  of  neace.  These  people,  who  are  my  king's 
children,  must  not  be  your  slaves ;  you  must  give  them  their  liberty,  and 
send  them  back  into  the'-  own  country.  If  the  Five  Nationa  shall  refuse 
to  do  this,  I  have  express  orders  to  declare  war  against  them.  This  belt 
confirms  my  words.. 

This  is  what  I  have  to  sny  to  Garangula,  that  he  may  carry  to  the 
Senecaa,  Onondagaa,  Oneidos,  Cayugas  and  Mohawks  the  declaration 
vrhhl,  lie  king,  my  master,  has  commanded  me  to  make.  He  doth  not 
wish  thom  to  force  him  to  send  a  great  army  to  Cataraqui  fort  to  begin 
a  war  which  must  be  fatal  to  them.  He  would  be  sorry  that  this  fort, 
whish  was  the  work  of  peace,  should  become  the  prison  of  your  war- 
rioi«.  We  must  endeavor,  on  both  sides,  to  prevent  such  misfortunes. 
The  French,  who  are  the  brethren  and  friends  of  the  Five  Nations,  will 
never  trouble  their  repose,  provided  that  the  satisfaction  which  I  demand 
be  given,  and  the  treaties  of  peace  be  hereafter  observed.  I  ahall  be  ex- 
tremely grieved  if  my  words  do  not  produce  the  effect  which  I  expect 
from  them,  for  then  1  ahall  be  obliged  to  join  with  the  Governor  of  New 
York,  who  is  commanded  by  his  master  to  assist  me,  and  bum  the  cas- 
tles of  the  Five  Nations  and  destroy  you.    This  belt  confirms  my  words." 

During  this  harangue,  Garangula  kept  his  eyes  fixed  on  the 
end  of  his  (>ipe,  and  as  soon  as  the  Governor  ended,  he  arose, 
and,  having  walked  several  times  around  the  circle,  returned  to 
his  place,  where  he  spoke  standing,  while  De  la  Barre  remained 
seated: 


I  and 


^'& 


I 


'  Speech  of  Garangula.  'W^ 

**  Yonnondio,  I  honor  you,  uiid  the  warriors  that  are  with  me  honor 
ou.  Your  interpreter  lias  finivhed  your  apeecb.  I  now  begin  mine, 
jly  wurtlH  nmlce  baate  to  reach  your  ears;  boarlcen  to  them,  Yonnondio. 
You  inuHt  have  believed,  when  you  leil  Quebec,  tiint  the  aun  had  burnt 
up  ull  ilie  IbreHta  whicii  render  our  country  inacceaaible  to  the  French, 
or  that  liie  lakes  bad  so  overflown  their  bunl(s  that  they  had  surrounded 
our  coHtles,  and  tliat  it  was  impoHsible  for  us  to  get  out  of  tlieni ;  yes, 
truly,  you  must  have  dreamed  so,  and  the  curiosity  of  seeing  so  great  u 
wonder  bus  brought  you  so  far.  Now  you  are  undeceived,  since  that  I, 
and  the  warriors  here  itrcsent,  are  come  to  assure  you,  that  the  Cayugas, 
henecuB,  Onondugas,  Oneidns  and  Mohawks  are  yet  alive.  I  thank  vou, 
in  their  name,  ibr  bringing  back  into  their  country  the  calumet,  which 
your  predoreaHors  received  from  their  hands.  It  was  happy  for  you  that 
you  letl  under  ground  that  murdering  hatchet  that  has  so  often  been 
dyed  with  the  blood  of  the  French.  Hear!  Yonnondio;  I  do  not  sleep! 
I'have  my  eyes  open,  and  the  sun  which  enligbtens  me,  discovers  to  me 
u  great  captain,  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  soldiers,  who  speaks  as  if 
be  were  dreaming.  He  says  that  be  only  came  to  the  lakes  to  smoke  on 
the  great  calumet,  with  the  Onondagas.  But  Onrangula  .says  he  sees  to 
the  contrary ;  that  it  was  to  knock  them  on  the  bead,  if  sickness  had  not 
weakened  the  arms  of  the  French.  I  see  Yonnondio  raving  in  a  camp 
of  sick  men,  whose  lives  the  great  spirit  has  saved,  by  inflicting  this 
sickness  upon  them.  Hear,  Yonnondio!  our  women  had  taken  their 
clubs ;  our  children  and  old  men  had  carried  their  bows  and  arrows  into 
the  heart  of  your  camps,  if  our  warriors  had  not  disarmed  them,  and 
kept  them  back,  when  your  messengers  came  to  our  castles.  It  is  done; 
I  have  said  it  Hear,  Yonnondio !  we  plundered  none  of  the  French, 
hut  thoso  that  cttrried  guns,  powder,  and  balls,  to  the  Twightwies,  and 
Chictagicks,  because  those  amis  might  have  cost  us  our  lives.  Herein 
we  follow  the  example  of  the  Jesuits,  who  break  all  the  kegs  of  rum 
brought  to  our  castles,  lest  the  drunken  Indians  should  knock  them  on 
the  bead.  Our  warciors  have  not  beavers  enough  to  pa^  for  all  those 
arms  that  they  have  taken,  and  our  old  men  are  not  afraid  of  the  war. 
This  belt  preserves  my  words.  We  carried  the  English  into  our  lakes, 
to  trade  with  the  Utawawas,  and  Quatoghies,  as  the  Adriondacks  brought 
the  French  to  our  castles,  to  carry  on  a  trade  ivhich  the  English  say  ia 
theirs.  We  are  born  free ;  we  neither  de|)end  or  Yonnondio,  or  Corlear ; 
we  may  go  where  we  ])lease,  and  carry  with  us  what  we  please,  and  buy 
and  sell  what  we  please.  If  your  allies  be  your  slaves,  use  them  as  such ; 
command  them  to  receive  no  others  but  your  people.  This  belt  pre* 
serves  my  words.  We  knock  the  Twightwies  and  Chictagicks  on  the 
head,  because  they  bad  cut  down  the  trees  of  peace,  which  were  the 
limits  of  our  country.  They  have  hunted  beaver  on  our  lands;  they 
have  acted  contrary  to  the  customs  of  the  Indians,  for  they  have  left 
none  of  the  beavers  alive;  they  killed  both  male  and  female;  they 
brought  the  Satanas  into  their  country,  to  take  part  with  them  after  they 
had  concerted  ill  designs  against  us.  We  have  done  less  than  either  the 
English  or  French,  that  have  usurped  the  lands  of  so  many  Indian  na- 
tions, and  chased  them  from  their  own  country.  This  belt  preserves  iiiy 
words.  Hear,  Yonnondio,  what  I  say  is  the  voice  of  all  the  Five  Nations. 
Hear  what  they  answer:  open  your  ears  to  what  they  speak.  The  Seu- 
ecRs,  Onondagas,  Cayugas,  Oneidas  and  Mohawks  say,  that  when  they 
buried  the  hatchet  at  Cadaraqui,  in  the  presence  of  your  predecessors, 
in  the  middle  of  the  fort,  they  planted  the  tree  of  peace  in  the  same 
plat  e,  to  be  there  carefully  preserved;  that  in  the  place  of  arms^and  am- 
munition of  war,  beavers  ^ud  merchandise  should  only  enter  there. 


■^ 


l)e  la  Harrc  Returns  to  Queltec. 


ft 


Henr,  Yonnondio!  take  caro  fbr  the  fliture,  that  so  great  a  number  of 
anldien  as  apiiear  there,  do  nut  nhoke  the  tree  of  peace,  pluntud  in  su 
■mall  H  fort.  It  will  be  a  great  Iohh,  if,  after  it  had  ao  easily  v*kon  root, 
you  ahoiil'l  stop  its  growth,  and  prevent  its  covering  your  country  ami 
oum  with  UN  hranuhes.  I  assure  you,  in  the  name  of  the  Five  Nations, 
that  our  warriors  shall  dnnce  to  the  calumet  of  peace  under  its  leaves, 
and  lihall  remain  quiet  ui.  their  mats,  and  shall  never  dig  up  the  hatchet 
till  their  brother  Yonnondio,  or  Corlear  shall  either  jointly  or  separately, 
endeavor  to  attack  the  country  which  the  Great  Spirit  has  given  to  our 
ancestors.  This  belt  preserves  my  words,  and  this  other  the  authority 
which  th«  Five  Nations  have  given  me."  Then  addressing  himself  to  the 
hiterpreter  he  said :  ^  Take  courage,  you  have  spirit,  speak,  explain  my 
words,  forget  nothing,  tell  all  that  your  brethren  and  friends  say  to  Yon- 
nondio,  your  Governor,  by  the  mouth  of  Garangula,  who  loves  you  and 
desires  you  to  accent  this  present  of  beaver,  and  take  part  with  me  in 
my  feast,  to  which  1  invite  you. — This  present  of  beaver  is  sent  lo  Yot.- 
nondio  on  the  part  of  the  Five  Nations." 

De  la  Barre,  stunfi;  with  the  sarcasm  of  this  speech,  of  which 
he  could  not  but  admit  the  truth,  hastily  returned  on  the  6th, 
hitving  had  all  the  sick  embarked  the  day  before  (so  as  not  to  be 
seen  by  the  Indians),  to  the  number  160  canoes  and  12  flat 
bateaux,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  arrived  at  Fort 
Frontenac,  where  he  found  that  1 10  of  the  number  left  there 
had  departed,  sick,  for  Montreal,  whither  the  Governor  followed 
the  next  day.  At  La  Chine  he  found  45,000  lbs.  of  flour,  which 
he  had  so  much  needed  at  La  Famine. 

The  marquis  De  Noti>  iile  succeedf  d  De  la  Barre  the  next  year, 
and  brought  from  Frnuce  forces  thought  sufficient  fbr  the  reduction 
of  the  Senecas,  w)  ich  wus  undertaken  two  years  after,  with  a 
great  force,*  but  without  success;  further  than  ravaging  their 
country  with  fire,  and  destroying  a  few  aged  and  defenseless  men 
and  women.  On  the  26th  of  July,168i8,  the  Iroquois,  to  the 
number  of  1200,  invaded  the  island  of  Montreal,  without  notice, 
and  destroyed  more  than  a  thousand  French,  besides  carrying 
away  great  numbers  of  prisoners  for  torture.  In  these  and  other 
expeditions,  our  territory  must  have  been  the  scene  of  many 
events  of  tragic  interest,  but  the  history  of  the  details  has  not 
come  down  to  us. 

During  the  French  nnd  English  war,  whicL  in  1?*^0  resultf  ' 
in  the  complete  subjection  of  the  former,  i  -^'o  <  .  again  be- 
came alive  with  military  qperations,  auu  liie  principal  route 
between  Canada,  and  the  Mohawk  settlements,  passed  through 
this  county.  On  a  peninsula,  called  Six  Town  Point,  a  few  miles 
from  Sackets  Harbor,  is  the  trace  of  a  slight  work,  in  a  square 
form  with  bastions  at  each  angle  and  apparently  a  small  stockade, 
rf-'  ted  d'lring  this  period.  Between  the  bastions  the  sides  were 
.  (}.  48  \eet,  and  the  whole  affair  was  of  a  slight  and  transient 
diarCiCter.    The  only  trace  left  is  a  slight  ditch  along  the  sides, 

*Cx.  Hist,  of  i\(.  Y.,  I,  p.  193.  Clarke's  Hist,  of  Onondaga,  1,  p.  267,  ^c. 


t 


Trace*  qf  French  Orrupation. 


3t 


apparently  formed  by  tlte  viecay  of  the  wixwJ  that  formed  the 
(letense.  On  one  side  is  a  ^^w  of  inouixl",  five  in  number,  pro- 
bably for  the  mounting  of  cannon.  The  locality  is  about  IJ  milo 
from  the  end  of  the  point  on  the  inside,  and  but  a  few  yawls  frum 
the  water's  edge.  The  place  is  partly  covered  by  a  thin  growth 
of  hickory  and  oak,andthequiet8cenery  of  thespot  ii*  delightful. 
In  a  work  entitled,  Mimoires  sur  U  Canada,  there'  is  mvn- 
ti>  aed  the  occupation  of  a  post  at  the  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek, 
of  Afhich  no  trace  remains. 

■  Meanwhile  M.  de  Vaudreuil,  not  content  with  having  destroyed  the 
niuuitions  of  the  enemy,  and  disconcerting  their  projects  upon  the  inke 
and  their  upi>er  posts,  resolved  to  capture  Chouogien,*  to  the  end  that 
the  colony  nught  he  tranquilized  on  tliis  side,  and  himself  left  easv  on  the 
defensive,  until  succors  might  arrive  fVom  France.  He  sent  f  in  thij 
direction,  a  detachment  of  800  men,  to  hold  the  enemy  In  check,  and 
watch  their  movements,  under  the  command  of  Sieur  de  Viiliers,  c«4)tain 
of  the  Marine,  brother  of  M.  de  Fumonville.  This  officer  was  hrave  and 
prudent,  capable  of  executing  the  most  perilous  enterprise,  and  'md 
olwuys  given  proof  of  courage.  This  officer  took  post  near  n  r  ver, 
named  Aux  Sables,!  where  he  built  n  little  fort  of  upright  stakes,  on  a 
point  where  this  river  falls  into  lake  Ontario.  The  approach  wuh  difficult, 
and  concealed  from  view  by  bushes,  which  surrounded  it,  so  that  one 
could  see  but  a  short  distance  when  on  foot.  He  often  appeared  before 
the  enemy,  pillaged  their  munitions,  and  compelled  them  to  take  th*) 
greatest  precaution  in  sending  to  Chonoguen  their  provisions  and  troopa.'' 

The  most  interesting  relics  of  the  olden  time  within  the  county, 
are  the  ruins  of  Fort  Carlton,  on  Carlton  or  Buck's  Island,  called 
by  the  French  Isle  aux  Chevreuihy  about  three  miles  from  Cape 
Vincent  and  in  the  middle  of  the  south  channel  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence. The  island,  when  first  observed  by  our  settlers,  was  partly 
cleared;  it  has  an  undulating  surface,  is  composed  of  Trenton 
limestone,  and  is  very  fertile.  The  surface  near  its  head,  where 
the  fort  is  situated,  rises  bv  an  easy  grade  to  a  spacious  plain, 
fifty  feet  above  the  river,  which  was  precipitous  in  front,  and  over- 
looked a  small  peninsula,  but  little  elevated  above  the  water,  and 
affording  on  each  side  of  the  isthmus  safe  and  ample  coves  for 
the  anchorage  of  boats.  On  a  point  of  this  land,  the  government 
is  about  to  construct  a  lighthouse.  The  area  under  the  hill  was 
completely  protected  by  the  works  on  the  heights  above,  and  from 
its  great  fertility  afforded  an  abiTndance  of  culinary  vegetables 
for  the  garrison.  Traces  occur,  showing  that  cannon  were  planted 
on  conspicuous  points,  and  the  trace  of  a  submerged  vharf  is  still 
seen,  as  are  also  wrecks  of  vessels  in  the  bottom  of  the  river 
adjacent.  In  the  rear  of  the  works  may  be  seen  the  cemetery, 
but  time  has  defaced  the  inscriptions  upon  the  headstones,  except 

♦  Osw fgo.  ..   .       , 

t  In  the  month  of  March  or  April,  175G. 

I  About  six  leagues  south-west  fro;n  the  place  now  called  Sackett's  Harbor. 

Nott  in  original. 


22 


Ruins  of  Fort  Carlton. 


to  one  grave,  which  has  the  following:  "J.  Farrar,  L.  23,  F*  i 
1792."  Forty  years  ago,  carved  oa^en  planks  were  standing  at 
.  many  of  the  graves.  Several  chimneys  occur  outside  of  the  in- 
trenchment,  and  on  the  pepinsula,  in  front  of  the  fort.  About  a 
dozen  still  stand  within  the  works,  which  are  built  of  stone,  in  a 
permanent  and  massive  manner,  the  flues  being  very  small,  and 
the  bases  enlarged  and  well  founded.  Near  the  brow  of  the  hill, 
is  a  circular  well  about  ten  feet  in  diameter,  and  st'.pposed  to  be 
at  least  as  deep  as  the  level  of  the  river,  but  being  partly  filled 
with  rubbish,  this  could  not  be  determined.  Here  are  also  exca- 
vations, supposed  to  be  for  magazines.  The  plan  of  the  fort 
shows  it  to  have  been  after  the  system  of  Vauban,  and  formed 
three  eighths  of  a  circle  of  about  800  feet  diameter;  the  abrupt 
face  of  the  hill,  which  was  doubtless  protected  by  a  stockade,  not 
requiring  those  defenses,  which  were  furnished  to  the  rear.  The 
ditch  is  excavated  inrock,  is  4  feet  deep,  and  22  wide.  The  covered 
way  is  24  feet  wide,  the  counterscarp  vertical,  the  outer  parapet 
4  feet  high,  and  the  glacis  formed' of  materials  taken  from  the 
ditch.  The  rampart  within  the  ditch  was  of  earth,  and  is  very 
much  dilapidated.  Ravelins  were  made  before  each  reentrant 
angle,  and  at  the  alternate  salient  angles,  bastions  were  so  placed 
as  to  command  the  fort  and  its  various  approaches,  very  effect- 
ually. No,  knowledge  is  derived  from  settlers  of  the  character, 
the  work,  or  the  number  or  size  of  the  inclosed  buildings,  except 
that  a  range  of  wooden  blockhouses  within  the  intrenchment, 
was  occupied  by  a  corporal's  guard,  and  a  few  invalids.  The 
premises  had  fallen  into  decay  and  were  entirely  without  defensive 
works;  a  few  iron  cannon  were  laying  on  the  beach,  or  under 
water  near  the  shore,  and  the  gates  had  been  robbed  of  their 
hinges  for  the  iron,  which  had  been  pawned  by  the  soldiers.  The 
premises  have  at  all  times  furnished  a  great  abundance  of  relics, 
among  which  were  coins,  buttons,  &c.,  whose  inscriptions  and 
devices,  without  exception,  indicate  an  English  origin,  and  a 
period  not  earlier  than  the  French  war.  The  figures  60,  K.  8. 
V,  IX,  34,  22,  29,  84,  21,  31,  &c.,  which  occur  on  the  buttons 
found,  often  accompanied  by  the  device  of  the  thistle,  anchor, 
crown,  &c.,  doubtless  designated  the  regiments  to  which  their 
wearers  belonged. 

On  the  declaration  of  war,  the  guard  was  surprised  and  captured 
without  resistance,  the  buildings  burned,  and  never  after  used  as  a 
fort.  The  st^te  reserved  the  island  for  its  supposed  importance 
in  a  military  point  of  view,  in  their  sale  to  Macomb.  In  1796, 
the  surveyors  of  this  purchase  found  a  corporal  and  three  men 
in  charge,  and  there  were  four  long  twelve,  and  two  six-pound 
cannon  mounted.  But  little  is  said  by  historians  and  travelers, 
of  this  place,  as  it  appears  never  to  have  been  the  theatre  of 


History  of  Fori  Carlton. 


23 


events  that  give  interest  to  the  former,  and  was  not  in  the  chan- 
nel commonly  taken  by  refj;ular  vessels,  and  therefore  sehlom 
visited  by  the  latter.    The  Duke  de  la  Rochefoifcault  Liancourl*. 
mentions  it  as  follows:  "During  the  American  war,  the  British 
troops  were  constantly  in  motion,  and  in  later  times  they  were 
quartered  in  an  island  which  the  French  called  Isle  au  Chevreaux, 
and  which  the  English  have  named  Carlton,  after  Lord  Dor> 
Chester."     The  island  had  been  known  to  the  French  by  this  \ 
name  from  an  early  period,  and  it  is  mentioned  as  one  of  the    / 
.stopping  places  of  Count  Frontenac  in  his  expedition  against  / 
the  Onondagas,  as  follows:t    "On  the  26th  [July,  1696],  they   I 
took  their  departure,  and  encamped  at  Deer  Island  {Isle  aux    \ 
Chevreuils);  the  scouts  marching  continually  ahead  of  the  army.   / 
Sieur  de  Luth,  captain,  was  left  in  the  fort  [Frontenac],  as  com-  [ 
mandant,  with  a  garrison  of  forty  men,  and  miisons  and  carpenters   ] 
necessary  for  the  buildings  which  he  was  recommended  to  hasten,  y 
There  remained  only  twenty-six  sick  in  the  fort,  most  of  whom 
were  wounded   in  the  legs  ascending  the  rapids.     On  the  27th 
they  got  to  within  three  leagues  of  Riviere  de  la  Famine  [Black 
River],  and  on  the  28th  to  the  mouth  of  that  of  Onnontague. 

This  station  was  used  by  the  English  during  and  after  the 
revolution,  and  garrisoned  by  invalid  troops.  It  was  an  import-  \ 
ant  post,  as  it  commanded  the  navigation  of  the  south  channel  of 
the  St.  Lawrenc  while  Kingston  controlled  the  other.  Although 
the  French  had  ceased  to  command  in  Canada,  yet  their  memory 
was  cherished  with  affection  by  (he  savages,  who  continued  to 
receive  presents  and  be  influenced«by  the  French  in  Louisiana 
and  their  western  posts.  Policy,  therefore,  dictated  that  this  ; 
place  should  be  kept  up  against  any  time  of  danger  that  might  / 
arise.  Having  carefully  examined  every  author  within  reach, 
both  English  and  French,  we  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  the 
precise  time  of  erection  of  this  fort.  It  certainly  did  not  exist 
before  1758,  as  it  does  not  occur  in  any  of  the  lists  of  stations 
previous  to  that  period,  but  a  manuscript  is  preserved  among  the 
Paris  Documents|  in  the  archives  of  the  state  at  Albany,  that 
throws  some  light  upon  the  subject  if  it  does  not  solve  the  mys- 
tery entirely.  From  this,  it  appears,  that  in  November,  1758,  the 
Marquis  de  Vaudreuil,  governor  of  Canada,  had  drawn  up  a 
paper  on  the  defenses  of  that  country,  which  was  then  at  war 
with  the  English,  that  was  submitted  to  the  Marquis  de  Mont- 
calm for  his  revision,  and  met  with  his  entire  approval.  He 
proposed  to  send  1500  men  to  defend  the  approaches  of  Canada 
on  the  side  of  Lake  Ontario,  by  the  erection  of  a  post  to  be  selected 

♦Travels  through  the  United  States  and  the  Country  of  the  Iroquois,  in 
1795_«_7,  London,  vol.  I,  p.  280. 
t  Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vol.  I,  p.  389.  t  Vol.  XV,  p.  170. 


\ 


\ 


Y  ''--O' 


24 


History  of  Fort  Carlton   * 


at  the  head  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  laid  out  alter  the  plans  of 
M.  de  Fontleroy,  who  was  to  be  sent  for  that  purpose.  The 
station  thus  chosAi  and  fortified  would  at  the  same  time  become 
the  head  of  the  frontier,  and  entrepot  for  every  military 
operation  in  taat  quarter,  instead  of  Frontenac,  or  the  Bay  of 
Niohoure,  which  can  never  be  regarded  as  such,  as  the  English 
might  enter  the  St.  Lawrence  without  exposing  themselves,  or 
giving  any  knowledge  ot  their  passage.  He  proposed  to  build 
xebecs  instead  of  barks,  as  better  fitted  for  the  navigation  of  the 
lake,  and  the  transportation  of  supplies.  The  place  was  to  be 
made  susceptible  of  defense  by  an  army,  and  to  have  magazines 
for  stores  and  barracks  for  the  lodgement  of  troops  in  the  winter.  A 
quantity  of  supplies  was  to  be  sent  to  la  Presentation,*  consisting 
of  tools  and  implements  of  all  kinds  necessary  to  be  used  against 
Oswego,  or  in  the  erection  of  the  works.  Levasseur  and  Pellegrin, 
experienced  shipwrights,  were  to  be  sent  up  from  Q-sbec  to  advise 
upon  all  the  details  connected  with  the  plan  of  establishing  upon 
the  lake  an  adequate  system  of  defense.  Canada  presented  at 
that  time  three  frontiers;  the  St.  Lawrence  from  the  Atlantic, 
Lake  Champlain  and  the  West;  each  of  which  claimed  a  share  of 
attention.  It  was  intended  that  the  proposed  w^ork  should  be 
adequate,  with  those  lower  down,  for  the  defense  of  the  latter, 
and  it  was  designed  to  put  in  command  an  active,  disinterested 
and  capable  man,  to  accelerate  the  work,  and  render  the  opera- 
tions complete.  Such  a  man  the  Chevalier  de  Levy  was  con- 
sidered to  be,  and  he  was  accordingly  named  as  the  person  to 
haye  chief  direction  and  command  of  the  work.  Such  are  the 
outlines  of  the  plan,  which  the  means  within  our  reach  have  not 
enabled  us  to  learn  were  carried  out  at  that  time,  and  to  the  ex- 
tent contemplated.  No  one  cah  stand  upon  the  spot  occupied  by 
this  ruin,  and  survey  its  natural  advantages  for  defense,  the 
ample  bays  for  shipping  which  it  overlooks,  and  the  complete 
command  of  the  channel  which  it  affords,  without  being  convinced 
that  the  site  was  admirably  chosen,  and  that  in  the  selection  the 
projectors  were  guided  by  much  discretion.  With  these  brief 
remarks  we  shall  pass  to  the  subjects  connected  with  Jefferson 
county  during  the  period  of  its  present  settlement. 

^Ogdensburgh. 


U       \l  '■.., 


■:>-.iil: 


■  >     . 


CHAPTER  II.         ' 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTY,  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS,  &c. 

The  current  of  immigration  and  settlement  having  been  di- 
rected into  the  Black  River  valley,  about  the  close  of  the  last 
century,  the  country  filled  up  in  the  space  of  a  few  years  with  a 
rapidity  that  has  been  seldom  equaled,  and  it  soon  became  diffi- 
cult to  meet  the  demands  of  justice,  without  the  erection  of  new 
counties.  The  changes  which  had  been  previously  made,  so  far 
as  relates  to  our  territory,  were  as  follows  :  i 

Albany f  formed  Nov.  1, 1683  (an  original  county).  ■ 

-^Tryon,        "      March  12, 1772,  from  Albany.  \       '  " 

Montgomery i  changed  April  2,  1784,  from  Tryon. 

Herkimer,  formed  February  16,  1791,  from  Montgomery. 

Oneida,  "      March  15,  1798,  from  Herkimer. 

Such  had  been  the  rapidity  of  settlement  within  five  or  six 
years  from  its  opening,  that  the  necessity  of  a  division  of  Oneida 
became  apparent,  and  local  interests  began  to  operate  to  secure 
the  advantages  expected  from  the  location  of  the  public  build- 
ings. Each  section  had  its  advocates.  Nathan  Sage  in  Red- 
field,  Walter  Martin  in  Martinsburg,  Silas  Stow  and  others  in 
Lowville,  Moss,  Kent,  Noadiah  Hubbard  and  others  in  Cham- 
pion, Henry  Coffeen  in  Watertown,  and  Jacob  Brown  in  Brown- 
ville,  were  each  intent  upon  the  project  of  a  county  seat.  Many 
were  for  having  but  one  new  county,  in  which  case  Champion 
had  the  fairest  prospects  of  success,  and  indeed  such  had  been 
the  chances,  in  the  opinion  of  several  prominent  citizens,  that 
they  had  located  there.  Among  these  were  Moss  Kent,  a 
brother  of  Judge  Jame^  Kent,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  &c.  To  ob- 
tain an  expression  ci  public  opinion  on  this  subject,  three  dele- 
gates, chosen  at  town  meetings,  from  each  town  interested  in  the 
question,  met  at  the  house  of  Freedom  Wright,  in  Harrisburgh, 
(Denmark),  November  20th,  1804.  Many  went  with  the  inten- 
tion of  voting  for  one  new  county  only,  but  strong  local  interests 
led  to  the  attendance  of  those  who  so  influenced  the  voice  of  the 
delegation  that,  with  but  one  exception,  they  decided  for  ttoo 
new  counties,  and  the  convention  united  upon  recommending 
the  names  of  the  executive  officers  of  the  state  and  federal 
governments  then  in  office,  from  whence  came  the  names  of 
Jefferson  and  Lewis,  from  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Morgan  Lewis, 
both  men  of  national  celebrity. 

Application  was  accordingly  made  to  the  legislature,  and  on 
the  4tu  of  March  1805,  Mr.  Wright,  in  the  assembly,  from  th« 


26  Act  Erecting  Jeferson  and  Lewis  Counties. 

committee  to  whom  Avas  referred  the  petitions  and  remonstidnces 
from  the  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Oneida,  relative  taa  divi- 
sion thereof,  reported,  "that  they  had  examined  the  facts  stated, 
as  to  population  and  extent  of  territory  in  said  county,  and  the 
inconvenience  of  attending  county  concerns,  and  find  the  &ame  to 
be  true."  A  division  was  deemed  necessary,  and  leave  was 
granted  to  bring  in  a  bill,  which  was  twice  read  the  same  day, 
and  passed  through  the  legislature  without  opposition,  being  as 
follows: 
Act,  treciing  Lewis  and  Jefferson  Counties,  Passed  March  28,  1805. 

1.  "  Be  it  enacted  bythe  people  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented  in 
Senate  and  Assembly,  ^hat  ull  that  part  of  tlie  county  of  Oneida,  contained 
within  the  following  boundn,  to  wit:  Boginninjr  at  tlie  southwest  corner 
of  the  town  of  Eiiisburgh,  on  the  easterly  shore  of  Lake  Ontario,  and 
running  along  tire  southerly  line  of  said  town ;  thence  along  the  easterly 
line  thereof  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  town  of  Malta ;  thence  along  the 
southerly  line  of  the  said  town  of  Malta,  and  continuing  the  same  course  to 
the  corner  of  townships  number  two,  three,  seven  and  eight;  thence 
north'  along  the  east  line  of  the  town  of  Malta  aforesaid  to  the  northeast 
corner  thereof;  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  the  corner  of  the  towns  of  Rut- 
land and  Champion ;  thepce  along  the  line  between  the  said  town  of 
Champion  and  the  town  of  Harrisburgb,  to  Bhck  River;  thence  in  a 
direct  line  to  the  bounds  of  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence,  to  intersect  the 
same  at  the  corner  of  townships  numbers  seven,  and  eleven,  in  Great 
Tract  number  three,  ."^f  Macomb's  Purchase;  thence  along  the  westerly 
bounds  of  the  said  county  of  St  La^trrence  to  the  north  bounds  of  this 
state;  dience  westerly  and  southerly  along  said  bounds,  including  all  the 
islands  in  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  in  Lake  Ontario,  and  iu  front  thereof, 
and  within  this  state  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  be,  and  hereby  is, 
erected  into  a  separate  county,  and  shall  be  called  and  known  by  the  name 
of  Jefferson. 

2.  ^nd  be  it  further  enacted,  that  all  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Oneida, 
contained  within  the  following  bounds,  to  wit:  Beginning  at  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  county  of  Jefferson  aforesaid,  thence  southerly  alonff 
the  westerly  line  of  the  town  of  Turin  to  the  southwest  corner  thereof; 
thence  easterly  along  the  south  line  of  said  town  to  the  southeast  corner 
thereof;  thence  north,  sixty  two  degrees  east  along  the  southerly  line  of 
the  tract  of  land,  known  by  the  name  of  Macomb's  Purcliase,  to  the  line 
of  the  county  '.  f  Herkimer;  thence  north  along  the  said  last  mentioned 
line  to  thf  b'  iinds  of  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence ;  thence  along  the 
south weste.'.v  iiR(3  of  the  said  Itst  mentioned  county  to  the  line  of  the 
county  of  Je  t^e:  >on ;  and  thence  along  the  southerly  and  easterly  boundi 
thereof,  to  ti  .  place  of  beginnitfg,  shall  be  and  hereby  is  erected  into  a 
separate  coul  i  ,  by  the  name  of  Lewis. 

3.  </lnd  be  itjurlker  enacted,  that  all  that  part  of  township  number  nine, 
which  is  comprised  within  the  bounds  of  the  said  county  of  Jefferson, 
shall  be  annexed  to  and  become  a  part  of  the  town  of  Harrison,  in  siiid 
county,  and  that  all  that  part  of  the  said  township  number  nine,  comprised 
within  the  bounds  of  the  said  county  of  Lewis,  shall  be  annexed  to  and 
become  a  part  of  the  (own  of  Harrisburgb,  in  said  county. 

4.  .^nd  be  it  further  enacted,  That  there  siiull  be  held  in  and  for  the  said 
counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis,  respectively,  a  court  of  common  pleas, 
and  general  sessious  of  the  peace,  aud  that  there  shall  be  two  terms  of 


tslrdnces 
a  a  (livi- 
ts' stated, 
and  the 
e  bame  to 
;ave  was 
ime  day, 
being  as 

i8,  1805. 

retented  in 
contained 
ist  corner 
itario,  and 
le  easterly 
3  along  the 
e  course  to 
ht; thence 

northeast 
rnsofRut- 
d  town  of 
hence  in  a 
iteraect  the 
I,  in  Great 
le  westerly 
Inds  of  this 
ling  all  the 
tnt  thereof, 

hereby  is, 
y  the  name 

ofOneida, 
the  south- 
lerly  alons 
er  thereof; 
last  corner 
srly  line  of 
to  the  line 
mentioned 
along  the 

ne  of  the 
rly  bounds 

ted  into  a 

nber  nine, 
Jefferson, 

HI,  in  stiid 
omprised 

xed  to  and 

or  the  said 

non  pleas, 

terms  of 


X 

,4 


Act  Erecting  Jefer»on  and  Lewis  Counties.  27 

« 

tite  said  courts  in  each  of  the  said  counties  respectively,  in  every  year, 
to  commence  and  end  as  follows,  that  is  to  say :  The  first  term  of  the 
said  court  in  the  said  county  of  Jefferson,  shall  begin  on  the  second 
Tuesday  of  June  in  every  year,  and  may  continue  to  be  held  until  the 
Saturday  following,  inclusive,  and  the  second  term  of  the  said  court  iu 
tlie  said  county  of^Jefferson,  shuU  begin  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  De- 
cember, of  every  year,  and  may  continue  to  be  held  until  the  Saturday 
following  innluBivo.  And  that  the  first  term  of  the  said  court  in  the 
county  of  Lewis,  shall  begin  on  the  said  first  Tuesday  of  June,  in  every 
year,  and  may  continue  to  be  held  until  the  Saturday  following  inclusive, 
and  the  i';.tiond  term  of  the  said  court  in  the  said  county  of  Lewis,  shall 
begin  vo  the  first  Tuesday  of  December,  and  may  continue  to  be  held 
until  the  Saturday  followmg  inclusive;  and  the  said  courts  of  common 
pleas  and  general  sessions  of  the  peace,  shall  have  the  same  jurisdiction, 
powers,  and  authorities,  in  the  same  counties  respectively,  as  the  court 
Qf  common  pleas,  and  );eneral  sessions  of  the  peace,  in  the  other  counties 
of  the  state  have  in  their  respective  counties;  Providtd  always,  That 
nothing  in  this  act  contained  shall  be  construedtoafiectany  suitor  action 
already  commenced,  or  that  shall  be  commenced,  before  the  first  terms  to 
be  held  in  the  respective  counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis,  so  as  to  work 
u  wrong  or  prejudice  to  any  of  the  parties  therein,  or  to  affect  any 
criminal  or  other  proceedings  on  the  part  of  the  people  of  this  state,  but 
all  such  civil  and  criminal  proceedings,  shall,  and  may  be  prosecuted  to 
trial,  judgm<4nt  and  execution,  as  if  this  act  had  not  been  passed;  and 
further  provided,  that  the  first  of  the  said  courts  in  each  of  the  said  coun- 
ties, shall  be  held  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  December  next. 

5.  ^n«{2)ei<^t4WAerenac<e(^,  That  three  commissioners  shall  be  appointed 
by  the  councd  of  appointment,  who  shall  not  be  resident  within  the 
western  district  of  this  state,  or  interested  in  either  of  the  said  counties 
of  Jefferson  or  Lewis,  for  the  purpose  of  designating  the  scites  for  the 
court  houses  and  gaols,  of  the  said  counties  respectively,  and  to  that  end 
the  said  commissioners  shall  as  soon  as  may  be,  previous  to  the  first  day 
of  October  next,  repair  to  the  said  counties  respectively,  and  after  explor- 
ing the  same,  ascertain  and  designate  a  fit  and  proper  place  in  each  of 
the  said  counties  for  erecting  the  said  buildings,  and  that  until  such 
buildings^  shall  be  erected,  and  further  legislative  provision  be  made  in 
the  premises,  the  said  courts  of  common  pleas  and  general  sessions  of 
the  {leace,  shall  be  held  at  such  place  in  each  of  the  said  counties,  nearest 
and  most  contiguous  to  the  places  designated  as  the  scites  for  said  build- 
ings, as  the  said  commissioners  or  any  two  of  them  shall  determine  and 
fix  upon ;  and  the  said  commissionei's,  or  any  two  of  them,  are  hereby 
required  as  soon  as  they  have  designated  the  places  for  erecting  the  said 
buildings,  and  determined  upon  the  places  for  holding  the  said  courts, 
to  make  out  and  sign  a  certificate,  certifying  the  place  designated  for 
erecting  the  said  buildings,  and  places  fixed  on  for  holding  courts,  in  each 
of  the  said  counties,  and  to  transmit  one  of  the  said  certificates  to  each  of 
the  clerks  of  the  respective  counties,  who  are  required  to  receive  and  file 
the  same  in  their  respective  offices,  and  that  the  said  commissioners 
shall  be  entitled  to  t^^ceive,  each,  the  sum  of  four  dollars  per  day,  for  the 
time  they  may  be  necessarily  employed  in  executing  the  trusts  reposed 
in  thuiii  by  this  act,  the  one  moiety  thereof  tu  be  paid  by  each  of  the  said 
counties. 

6.  ^nd  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  the 
said  counties  respectively,  siioll  have  and  enjoy,  within  the  same,  all  and 
every  the  same  righto,  powers  and  urivileges  as  the  frueholders  and  in- 
habitants of  any  other  couuty  is  this  state  are  by  -law  entitied  to  haf  • 
and  et\joy. 


II 


Si  Changes  in  Boundariet  of  County. 

7.  And  6e  it  fwrthtr  enacted,  That  it  dhall  and  may  he  lawful  for  all 
courts,  and  officers  of  the  said  counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis,  respect- 
ively, in  all  cases,  civil  and  criminal,  to  confine  their  prisoners  in  the  gaol 
or  gaols  of  the  county  of  Oneida,  until  gaols  shall  he  provided  in  the 
same  counties  respectively,  and  the  said  counties  paying  each  the  cbargei 
of  their  own  prisoners. 

8.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  in  the  distribution  of  representation  in 
the  assembly  of  this  state,  there  shall  he  tiiree  members  in  the  county 
of  Oneida,  and  one  in  the  counties  of  Jefferson,  Lewis  and  St.  Lawrence, 
any  law  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

9.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  no  circuit  court,  or  courts  of  oyer  and 
terminer,  and  general  gaol  delivery,  shall  be  held  in  cither  of  the  said 
counties  of  Jenerson  and  Lewis,  uutil  the  seme  shall  in  the  opinion  of 
the  justices  of  the  supreme  court  become  necessary. 

10.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  the  said  counties  of  Jefferson  and 
Lewis,  shall  be  considered  as  part  of  the  western  district  of  this  state, 
and  also  as  part  of  the  fifteenth  congressional  district,  and  that  as  re« 
Bpects  all  proceedings  under  the  act,  entitled  "an  act  relative  to  district 
attornies,"  the  said  counties  shall  be  annexed  to  and  become  a  part  of 
the  district  now  composed  of  the  counties  of  Herkimer,  Otsego,  Oneida, 
and  Chenango. 

11.  And  be  it  further  enacted.  That  as  soon  as  may  be,  after  the  first 
Monday  of  April,  in  the  year  1806,  the  supervisorH  of  the  said  counties 
of  Oneida,  Jefferson,  un<l  Lewis,  on  notice  being  first  given  by  the  super- 
visors of  the  said  counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis,  or  of  either  of  them, 
for  that  purpose  shaii  meet  together  by  themselves,  or  by  committees 
appointed  by  their  respective  boards,  and  divide  the  money  unappro- 
priated, belonging  to  the  said  county  of  Oneida,  previous  to  the  division 
thereof,  agreeable  to  the  last  county  tax  list. 

12.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  the  votes,  taken  at  tha  election  in  the 
said  counties  of  Jefferson,  Lewis,  and  St.  Lawrence,  shall  be  returned  to 
the  clerk  of  the  county  of  Oneida,  to  be  by  him  estimated  and  disposed 
of,  as  is  directed  by  the  statute  regulating  elections. 

13.  And  be  it  further  enacted^  That  all  that  part  of  the  town  of  Leyden, 
remaining  in  the  county  of  Oneida,  shall  bo  and  remain  a  separate  town, 
by  the  name  of  Boonsville,  and  the  first  town  meeting  shall  be  held  at 
the  house  of  Joseph  Denning,  and  all  the  remaining  part  of  the  town  of 
Leyden,  which  is  comprised  within  the  bounds  of  the  county  of  Lewis, 
shall  be  and  remain  a  town  by  the  name  of  Leyden,  and  the  first  town 
meeting  shall  be  held  at  the  dwelling  house  of  llezekiah  Talcott 

14.  And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  as  soon  as  may  be,  after  the  first 
town  meeting  in  each  of  said  towns,  the  supervisors,  and  overseers  of  the 
])Oor,  of  said  towns  of  Leyden,  and  Boonsville,  shnil  by  notice  to  be  given 
for  that  purpose,  by  the  supervisors  thereof,  meet  together,  and  apportion 
the  money  and  poor  of  said  town  of  Leyden,  previous  to  the  division 
thereof,  according  to  the  last  tax  list,  and  that  each  of  said  towns  shall 
thereafter  respectively  maintain  their  own  poor." 

The  relative  limits  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis  counties  have  been 
three  titnes  changed.  It  will  be  noticed  by  reference,  that  the 
present  town  of  Pinckney,  was  then  divided  by  a  line  that  was 
a  continuation  of  the  west  lines  of  towns  8  and  3,  of  Boylston's 
Tract;  and,  that  from  the  line  between  Championand  Denmark, 
on  Black  Rivsr,  the  division  ran  straight  to  St.  Lawrence  County 
where  the  line  of  townships  7  and  11  of  tract  III  touched 


Location  of  Public  Budding*. 


89 


the  county  line.  On  the  12th  of  February,  1808,  the  whole 
of  No.  9  (Pinckncy)  was  included  in  Lewis  County.  On  the 
6th  of  April,  1810,  the  line  east  of  the  river,  beginning  as 
before  at  the  east  corner  of  Champion,  ran  thence  to  S.  W. 
corner  of  a  lot  in  11th  W.  and  21st  N.  ranges,  subdivisions  of 
No.  5;  thence  E.  between  20  and  21,  northern  ranges,  to  S.  W. 
corner  of  lot  in  10  W.,  21  N.  range;  thence  N.  between  10  and 
11,  to  S.  line  of  lot  No.  4;  thence  E.  to  808-9;  thence  along 
808-9,  to  lot  857;  thence  to  S.  E.  corner  of  857  and  809,  to 
N.  E.  corner  of  851;  then  W.  on  line  of  lots  851  and  850,  to 
S.  W.  corner  of  850;  thence  N.  E.  along  line  of  lots  to  St. 
Lawrence  County.  On  the  2d  of  April  1813,  the  present  line 
between  the  two  counties  was  established,  by  which  this  county 
received  considerable  accessions  from  Lewis  in  the  town  of 
Wilna.  By  an  act  of  March  17,  1815,  the  several  islands  within 
the  limits  of  this  state,  in  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Lake  Ontario, 
lying  in  front  of  this  county,  were  attached  to  it.  By  several 
acts  the  sovereignty  of  small  tracts  on  Stony  Point,  Horse  Island, 
Galloo  Island,  Tibbet's  Point,  and  Carlton  Island,  has  been 
ceded  to  the  United  States,  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  light 
houses,  the  state  retaining  concurrent  civil  and  criminal  juris- 
diction therein. 

The  governor,  and  council  of  appointment,  accordingly  desig- 
nated Matthew  Dorr,  David  Rodgers,  and  John  Van  Bentheusen, 
commissioners  to  locate  the  site  of  the  court  house  and  jail;  and 
a  section  in  an  act,  passed  April  7,  1806,  provided  that  their 
expenses  should  be  audited  by  the  comptroller,  and  paid  by  tax 
upon  the  counties.  The  portion  paid  by  this  county  was  $205. 
How  faithfully  their  trust  was  executed,  it  may  not  be  our  duty 
to  enquire;  but  in  Lewis  county,  they  were  openly  charged  with 
having  come  predetermined  in  their  choice,  and  an  affidavit  was 
procured  from  one  who  had  overheard  their  conversation,  in 
which  this  fact  was  distinctly  indicated.  As  matters  have  since 
settled  down,  their  decision  here  has  doubtless  been  productive  of 
the  greatest  benefit  to  the  county,  although  the  precise  locality 
has  always  been  somewhat  inconvenient  on  account  of  its  dis- 
tance from  the  business  part  of  the  village.  This  question  of 
location  was  not  settled  without  the  most  active  efforts  being 
made  by  Brownville  to  secure  the  sUej  but  the  balance  of  settle- 
ment was  then  south  of  Black  River,  and  the  level  lands  in  the 
norih  part  of  the  county  were  represented  to  the  commissioners 
as  swampy  and  incapable  of  settlement.  Jacob  Brown,  finding 
it  impossible  to  secure  this  advantage  to  his  place,  next  endea- 
vore«i  to  retain  it,  at  least,  north  of  Black  River,  and  offered  an 
eligible  site  in  the  present  town  of  Pamelia;  but  in  this  he  also 
failed.    The  influence  of  Henry  Coffeen  is  said  to  have  been 


ii  Location  and  Erection  qf  Building*. 

especially  strong  \irith  the  commissioners,  although  he  was  se« 
conded  by  others  of  much  abilitv.  It  is  said  that  the  site  was 
marked  at  some  distance  below  the  business  part  of  the  village  of 
Watertown,  to  conciliate  those  who  had  been  disappointed  in  its 
location.  A  deed  of  the  premises  was  presented  by  Henry  and 
Amos  Coifeen  which  were,  it  is  said,  intended  to  include  the  • 
triangular  lot  since  sold  to  private  individuals. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  ooard  of  supervisors  was  held  in  the 
school  house,  on  the  site  of  thellniversalist  Church  in  Watertown, 
October  1,  1805,  and  the  following  persons  constituted  the  first 
board.  Noadiah  Hubbard,  Champion;  Cliff  French,  Rutland; 
Corlis  Hinds,  Watertovm;  John  W.  Collins,  Broumvifle;  Nich- 
olas Salisbury,  Mams;  Thomas  White,  Harrison;  layman  Ellis, 
Ellisburgh;  Asa  Brown,  Malta.  N.  Hubbard  was  chosen  pre- 
sident,  and  Zelotus  Harvey  clerk.  The  meeting  was  adjourned 
to  the  house  of  Abijah  Putnam.  Cliff  French,  Thomas  White, 
and  Corlis  Hinds,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  procure  a  con- 
veyance of  the  land  on  which  the  court  house  and  jail  were  to 
be  erected.  The  following  was  the  aggregate  of  the  real  and 
personal  estate  in  the  several  towns:  £llisburg,  $80,109;  Water- 
town,  $69,986-50;  Adams,  $33,606;  Brownville,  $447,240; 
Harrison,  $43,395;  Malta,  $49,248;  Rutland,  $44,829;  Cham- 
pion, $42,578*50;  Total,  $806,992.  Henry  Coffeen  presented 
a  bill  of  $85-86,  and  Jacob  Brown  of  $100,  for  attendance  at 
Albany,  in  procuring  the  division  of  Oneida  county,  which 
were  rejected.  The  latter  had  been  appointed  by  the  convention 
at  Denmark  for  that  purpose.  Hart  Massey  was  appointed  sealer 
of  weights  and  measures,  and  $45,  and  the  next  year  $30  were 
voted  to  purchase  a  set  of  standards  of  specified  materials. 

In  1806,  the  board  consisted  of  Jacob  Brown,  Corlis  Hinds, 
Perley  Keyes,  Noadiah  Hubbard,  Jonathan  Davis,  Augustus 
Sacket,  Ethni  Evans,  Jesse  Hopkins,  Asa  Brown,  and  Nicholas 
Salisbury.  J.  Brown  and  A.  Sacket  were  appointed  to  settle  all 
accounts  pending  with  Oneida  and  Lewis  counties,  by  meeting 
at  Whitestown,  with  committees  to  be  chosen  by  them  for  the 
purpose.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  they  reported  $328-61  due 
to  Jefferson;  $293-54  to  Lewis,  ^nd  $1670-73  to  Oneida  counties, 
from  the  funds  on  hand  at  the  tune  of  division.  Messrs.  Hinds, 
Salisbury,  and  J.  Brown,  were  appointed  to  report  the  expediency 
and  probable  cost  of  a  jail,  and  the  most  advisable  course  to  be 
pursued.  The  expense  of  sending  prisoners  to  Whitestown  was 
found  heavy,  and  it  was  apprehended  that  public  officers  would 
reluctantly  spend  their  time  in  going  to  and  from  thence.  "  Hence 
many  criminals  might  escape  a  just  punishment,  and  the  county 
might  be  infested  with  criminals  to  the  great  danger  and  injury 
of  its  inhabitants."    The  committee  report'     :hat  two-thirds  of 


Jail  Limift. 


*  ,'ii'vi 


> 


tl 


all  county  charges  were  paid  bv  non  resident  taxes,  and  a  pro- 
spect then  existed  that  this  Jaw  would  be  repealed.  Thej, 
therefore,  advised  the  immediate  erection  of  a  jail,  and  it  was 
estimated  it  could  be  built  for  $4,500;  that  $2,500  would  pro- 
vide one  better  for  the  interests  of  the  county  than  the  existing 
system.  J.  Brown  and  A.  Sackett  were  appointed  .0  draft  a 
petition  to  the  legislature  which  procured  on  the  20th  of  Feb. 
a  law  authori;!ing  a  tax  of  $2,500  for  erecting  a  court  house  and 
jail,  and  Feb.  19,  1808,  a  further  tax  of  2,500  was  applied  for.  In 
1807,  Noadiah  Hubbard  and  Zelotus  Harvey  were  appointed  a 
committee  to  meet  a  similar  one  from  Lewis  County,  to  ascertain 
the  boundary  of  the  two  counties.  William  Smith,  Gershom  Tuttle 
and  N.  Hubbard,  were  appointed  to  build  a  jail  after  a  plan  to  be 
approved  by  the  board.  It  was  to  be  40  by  60  feet,  built  of* 
wood,  and  fronting  eastward,  and  was  built  in  1807-8,  by  Wm. 
Rice  and  Joel  Mix,  after  the  plans  of  Wra.  Smith.  It  contained 
a  jail  in  the  iirst  story,  and  stood  a  little  south  of  the  present  Jail. 
On  the  30th  of  Jan.  1808,  the  superintendents  were  empowered 
"  to  build  a  sufficient  tower  and  cupola  on  the  centre  of  said 
building,  and  cover  the  dome  of  said  cupola  with  tin,  and  so 
construct  the  said  tower  and  cupola  that  it  shall  be  suthciently 
strong  and  convenient  so  as  to  hang  a  bell,  and  to  erect  a  sphere 
and  vane,  and  also  a  suitable  rod  to  conduct  the  lightning  from 
said  building."  On  the  5th  of  Oct.  1808,  the  accounts  of  the 
Court  House  audited,  including  extra  work  and  services  of  com- 
mittee, amounted  to  $4,997.58.  Wm.  Smith  was  directed  to 
purchase  the  necessary  fixtures  for  the  Court  House  and  Jail,  at  an 
estimated  cost  of  $262*87. 

In  1807  (Aug.  13),  the  jail  liberties  were  first  established,  and 

deserve  mention  from  the  singular  manner  in  which  they  were 

laid  out.    They  covered  a  small  space  arou  id  the  Court  House, 

and  a  part  of  the  Public  Square,  and  included  most  of  the  houses 

in  the  village,  while  between  these  localities,  along  the  sides  of 

the  roads,  and  sometimes  in  the  centre,  were  paths,  from  four  to 

eight  feet  wide,  with  occasional  crossings,  so  that  by  carefully 

observing  his  route,  turning  right  angles,  and  keeping  himself  in 

the  strict  ranges  which  the  court  had  established,  a  man  might 

visit  nearly  every  building  in  the  village;  but  if  the  route  was 

by  any  accident  obstructed  by  a  pile  of  lumber,  a  pool  of  mud, 

or  a  loaded  wagon,  he  must  pass  over,  or  through,  or  under;  or 

else  expose  himself  to  the  peril  of  losing  this  precarious  freedom, 

by  close  imprisonment,  and  subjecting  his  bail  to  prosecution  for 

the  violation  of  his  trust.     In  several  instances,  persons  were 

thus  dealt  with,  where  they  had  inadvertently  turned  aside  from 

the  straight  and  narrow  path,  to  which  the  statutes  of  that  period 

allowed  the  creditor  to  consign  bis  unfortunate  debtor.    A  map 


^s 


81  CUrlCt  Office^  Court  Hmue,  and  Jail 

of  these  limits,  prepared  by  Jonas  Smith,  who  for  several  years 
had  made  (iese  details  a  subject  of  daily  observation  from  ne- 
cessity, was  prepared  in  July,  1811,  and  deposited  in  the  clerk's 
office.  It  is  interesting  from  its  containing;  the  names  of  those 
who  then  owned  houses  in  the  village,  of  whom  there  were  about 
fifty.  These  limits  were  maintained  till  Feb.  23,  1821,  when 
an  act  was  passed  defining  a  rectangular  area  around  the  village 
as  the  jail  limits.  ~  In  1808  a  series  of  maps  was  directed  to  be 
prepared  by  Jonas  Smith,  for  the  comptroller's  office,  at  a  cost 
of  (100,  and  at  the  same  session  Messrs.  Richardson,  Hubbard 
and  Hopkins,  were  appointed  to  petition  the  legislature  for  a 
Jaw  to  provide  for  the  destruction  of  Canada  thistles.  On  the 
9th  of  October,  1815,  the  supervisors  voted  a  peti'ion  for  a  tai: 
•  of  $1000  to  build  a  fire-proof  clerk's  office,  and  Apt:!  6,  1816, 
an  act  was  passed  accordingly,  allowing  a  tax  nnj  exceeding 
$1500  for  this  purpose,  and  Ebenezer  Wood,  Ethel  fironson  and 
Egbert  Ten  Eyck  were  named  as  commissioners  to  build  the 
same.  The  conduct  of  a  certain  senator,  In  substituting  the 
name  ol  another  man  for  that  of  Judge  Brown  on  the  committee, 
was  most  strongly  condemned  by  a  subsequent  vote  of  the  super- 
visors. A  clerk's  office  was  accordingly  built  between  the  pre- 
sent Episcopal  Church  and  the  Public  Square,  and  was  occupied 
until  the  present  one  was  erected  in  18  i^,  in  accordance  with  an 
act  of  Jan.  26,  1831.  The  supervisors  la  1829  had  appointed  a 
committee  to  investigate  the  matter,  and  in  1830  had  petitioned 
for  the  act,  which  named  Daniel  Wardwell,  Eli  West,  and  Ste- 
phen D.  Sloan,  commissioners  for  this  purpose,  who  were  em- 
powered to  borrow  on  the  credit  of  the  county  $1000,  for  the 
purpose,  and  to  sell  the  former  office  and  lot. 

In  December,  1817,  the  Court  House  was  injured  by  fire,  which 
occasioned  a  meeting  of  the  board,  and  $500  were  voted  for  re- 
pairs. On  the  9th  of  Feb.  1821,  the  Couit  House  and  Jail  were 
burned,  and  on  the  12th,  the  supervisors  met  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  measures  necessary  for  the  occasion.  A  petition 
was  forwarded  for  a  law  authorizing  a  tax  of  $8000  to  rebuild 
the  county  buildings,  and  a  loan  of  $6000  for  the  same  purpose. 
It  was  resolved  to  build  the  jail  separate  from  the  court  house, 
and  both  buildings  were  to  be  of  stone.  Elisha  Camp,  Nathan 
Strong  and  John  Brown,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  super- 
intend the  building.  Premiums  of  $  10  tor  a  plan  of  a  court 
house,  and  $15  for  one  of  a  jail,  were  offered.  An  act  was  ac- 
cordingly passed,  March  13,  1821,  for  the  separate  erection  of 
these  buildings,  at  a  cost  not  exceeding  $8000,  under  the 
direction  of  Eliphalet  Edmonds,  Henry  H.  Coifeen  and  Jabez 
Foster.  The  courts  meanwhile  were  to  be  held  at  the  brick 
academy,  and  criminals  were  to  be  sent  to  the  Lewis  County  JaiL 


Maintenance  of  Pritonen. 


m' 


A  loan  not  exceeding  $6000  was  authorized  from  the  state.  On 
the  28th  of  March  the  board  met,  and  the  plan  for  a  jail  offered 
by  Wni.  Smith,  was  adopted,  and  a  resolution  was  passed  pro- 
viding for  solitary  cells.  The  court  house  was  agreed  to  be  44 
by  48  feet,  after  a  plan  by  J.  H.  Bishop.  This  necessity  of  an 
outlay  for  new  buildings  revived  the  question  of  a  new  site,  and 
among  others,  the  citizens  of  Saokets  Harbor  made  diligent  efibi  ts, 
ly  petition,  to  secure  their  location,  but  without  success;  and  in 
t  le  same  season  the  present  Court  House  and  a  part  of  the  present 
Jail  were  erected,  which  continued  to  be  occupied  until  November 
1848,  when  the  Hon.  Jas.  M.  Comstock,  one  of  the  inspectors  of 
county  and  state  pi  isons,  reported  to  the  Hon.  Robert  Lansing, 
judge  oi'  the  county,  (he  entire  failure  of  the  County  Jail  to  meet 
the  requirements  of  the  statute  in  relation  to  the  safety,  health 
and  proper  classification  of  prisoners,  and  expressed  his  belief 
that  the  arrangements  required  by  law  could  not  be  attained, 
without  the  construction  of  a  new  prison  building.  This  report, 
approved  by  the  judge,  and  certified  by  the  clerk  of  the  board, 
was  laid  before  the  supervisors,  a  committeee  appointed,  who 
visited  the  Jail  and  confirmed  the  report,  but  after  repeated  efforts 
the  board  failed  to  agree  upon  a  resolution  providing  for  the 
necessary  rebuilding  of  the  county  prisoi..  This  led  to  the  issue 
of  a  writ  of  mandamus,  by  the  supreme  court,  in  December,  on 
the  motion  of  G.  C.  Sherman,  requiring  the  board  of  supervisors 
to  proceed  without  delay  to  the  erection  of  a  new  jail,  or  the 
repair  of  the  one  then  existing.  This  necessity  for  a  new  prison 
suggested  the  project  of  the  division  of  the  county  into  two  jury 
districts,  and  the  erection  of  two  sets  of  buildings,  at  other  places 
than  Watertown,  and  the  question  became,  for  a  short  time,  one 
of  considerable  discussion  in  various  sections  of  the  county.  The 
question  was  settled  by  the  erection  of  a*  extensive  addition 
to  the  Jail,  two  stories  high,  and  considered  adequate  for  the 
wants  of  the  county  for  some  time  to  come,  at  least,  if  the  course 
adopted  was  that  recommended  by  the  board  of  supervisors,  Oc- 
tober 20,  1820,  as  set  forth  in  the  following  resolution: 

"  Whereas  the  mainteiiance  of  prisoners,  committed  to  the 
County  Jail  for  small  offences,  in  the  manner  that  they  have  been 
usually  sentenced,  has  been  attended  with  great  expense  to  the 
people  of  this  county,  and  in  many  instances  has  operated  to 
punish  the  county  with  taxes,  more  than  the  criminals  for  offences, 
and  whereas  some  courts  of  special  sessions  have  sentenced  them 
to  imprisonment  upon  bread  and  water,  which  lessens  the  expense 
to  this  county,  and  the  same  operates  as  a  punishment  more 
effectually  than  longer  terms  of  imprisonment  would  in  the 
ordinary  way;  the  board  of  supervisors,  therefore,  recommend 
generally  to  magistrates  and  courts-  of  sessions  in  mittimuses, 


-  / 


•  I. 


•  M  '■  ■  Poor  Hovm  Syttem.'  \ 

'  upon  conviction  of  pvtty  crimes,  to  make  the  length  of  confine- 
ment less,  and  direct  the  jailor  to  keep  the  offenders  upon  bread 
and  water  durin^i^  the  time  of  their  imprisonment.  The  board 
>vould  I'ecommend  in  such  cases  that  the  prisoners  be  not  sen- 
tenced to  be  kept  longer  than  thirty  days  in  any  case,  it  may 
endanger  the  health  ol  the  convicts. 

Resolved,  That  the  jailer  for  the  future,  be  directed  not  to 
procure  any  thing  more  expensive  <  for  criminals  than  moccasins 
at  fifty  cents  a  pair,  instead  of  shoes,  nor  procure  any  hats,  and 
to  purchase  as  little  clothing  as  possible,  and  that  of  the  poorest 
and  least  expensive  kind." 

Previous  to  the  adoption  of  the  poor-house  system,  each  town 
supported  its  own  poor,  and  the  records  of  the  board  show  annual 
appropriations  in  many  of  the  towns  for  that  purpose,  of  from 
$50  to  $800.  In  1817,  $50  was  voted  to  build  a  town  poor- 
house  in  Le  Ray,  and  in  1822  the  supervisors  recommended  to 
the  several  towns  to  take  into  consideration  at  their  next  annual 
meetings  the  propriety  of  building  a  poor  house  and  house  of 
industry  for  the  county,  as  advised  by  an  act  of  March  3,  1820. 
In  April,  1825,  a  meeting  of  the  board  was  called,  and  a  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Messrs.  Hubbard,  Hart  and  Stewart,  was 
appointed  to  ascertain  the  most  suitable  site  for  erecting  a  poor 
house,  and  the  price  for  which  a  farm  could  be  purchased,  within 
five  miles  of  the  Court  House.  The  cost  of  buildings  was  limited 
to  $2000.  They  were  directed  to  advertise  for  proposals  for 
purchasing  a  farm,  if  they  should  think  proper.  On  the  7th  of 
June  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  supervisors  met  to  hear  the 
above  report.  After  visiting  the  premises  in  a  body,  it  was  re- 
solved to  purchase  the  Dudley  Farm  in  Le  Ray,  five  miles  from 
Watertown,  containing  150  acres,  at  $10  per  acre.  Committees 
were  appointed  to%procure  titles,  and  to  fit  up  the  premises, 
which  continued  to  be  occupied  for  that  purpose  until  Nov.  1832, 
when  the  supervisors  \  ted  a  petition  for  the  power  to  sell  the 
property  and  borrow  $4000  on  the  credit  ol  the  county,  for  build- 
ing a  new  one  on  a  new  site,  if  the  interests  of  the  county  re- 
quired it.  They  procured  an  act,  January  25,  1833,  granting 
this  power,  and  providing  for  the  execution  of  this  trust,  by  three 
commissioners  to  be  appointed  by  the  supervisors.  At  their  fol- 
lowing session,  the  board,  after  much  discussion,  finally  agreed 
to  erect  a  new  poor  house,  on  a  farm  of  100  acres,  purchased  of 
J.  Foster,  for  $1500,  about  a  mile  below  Watertown,  north  of 
the  river,  and  Orville  Hungerford,  Joseph  Graves,  and  Bernard 
Bagley,  were  appointed  to  carry  the  resolution  into  effect. 

The  distinction  between  town  and  county  poor  was  abolished 
by  a  vote  of  the  supervisors  in  November,  1834,  and  this  has 
been  since  several  times  changed.    In  1832,  the  experiment  of 


Chotera  "Expensesi 


•)  -f/t 


picking  oakum  was  tried  with  a  profit  of  1154  the  first  year.. 
The  culture  the  mulberry  has  also  been  atteinpt«d,  but  with 
small  success.  The  first  superintendents  of  the  poor  house,  ap- 
pointed in  1826,  were  Orville  Hunprerlord,  Wm.  S.  Ely,  Peter 
Vandes,  John  Hoover,  and  Asher  Wilmot,  and  an  equal  number 
was  annually  appointed  until  the  adoption  of  the  present 
stitution.  The  persons  elected  under  the  general  law,  were  Da>id 
Montague,  Charles  F.  Syroonds  and  Phineas  Hardy,  in  1848; 
Martin  J.  Hutchins,  1849;  Feter  S.Houk,  1850;  Austin  Everitt, 
1851.  It  being  thought  by  certain  ones  that  the  general  law 
was  not  the  best  that  could  be  devised  for  the  county,  an  effort 
was  made  in  1852,  which  procured  on  the  12th  of  April  an 
act  which  directed  but  one  overseer  of  the  poor  to  be  here- 
after elected  in  each  town  in  this  county,  and  the  duties  of 
overseers  of  the  poor  were  conferred  upon  the  supervisor  and 
such  overseer,  in  the  several  towns,  who  were  to  be  associated 
together  in  affording  relief  to  the  indigent  within  certain  limits, 
to  be  prescribed  by  the  board  of  supervisors  for  each  town.  No 
superintendents  of  the  poor  were  to  be  thereafter  elected,  but  one 
is  to  be  appointed  by  the  board  of  supervisors,  to  hold  his  ofhce 
during  their  pleasure.  He  is  to  reside  at  the  poor  house,  and  be 
the  keeper  thereof.  In  case  of  vacancy,  the  county  judge,  clerk 
ard  treasurer,  or  any  two  of  them,  are  to  fill  the  vacancy  by 
temporary  appointment  until  another  is  chosen.  In  the  fall  of 
1854,  and  annually,  afterwards,  two  visitors  are  to  be  appointed 
by  the  board  of  supervisors,  to  visit  the  poor  house  every  two 
months,  and  examine  its  books  and  management  Contracts  for 
medicines  and  medical  attendance,  are  to  be  made  by  the  super- 
visors, individually,  in  the  several  towns,  and  as  a  board  for  the 
poor  house.  They  have  also  the  power  of  directing  the  manner 
in  which  supplies  for  the  poor  house  shall  be  purchased,  which 
directions  the  superintendent  is  obliged  to  follow.  The  provisions 
of  this  act  apply  to  no  other  county  than  this.  The  board  of 
supervisors,  in  accordance  with  powers  thus  conferred^  appointed 
Alpheus  Parker,  superintendent,  who  entered  upon  his  duties 
Jan.  1,  1853.  His  salary  was  fixed  at  $600,  by  a  resolution  of 
the  board,  passed  Nov.  1852.  This  system  has  not  been  in 
operation  long  enough  to  afford  a  knowledge  of  its  merits  copi- 
pared  with  the  general  system. 

Among  the  appropriations  for  benevolent  purposes,  may  be 
classed  the  expenses  resulting  from  the  Health  Law  of  1832,  as 
a  guard  against  the  ravages  of  the  cholera,  which  in  the  several 
towns  were  as  follows,  viz:  Adams  $19*00,  Alexandria  $159-93, 
Antwerp  $31-50,  Brownville  $60'13,  Champion  $2-60,  Ellis- 
burgh  $193-50,  Henderson  $114*35,  Houndsfield  $795' 12,  Lor- 
raine $9-50,  Lyme  $443*08,  Orleans  $267-22,  Pamelia  $6*75, 


38         Bounties  for  WiU  Animah. — Early  Courts. 


Rutland  $  10-00,  Wilna  $12-85,  Philadelphia  $10-60,  Waterlown 
$167-05,  LeRay  $2-00,  Total  $2299-98.  But  little,  if  any  good, 
resulted  from  this  expendi.urc,  as  the  disease  scarcely  appeared 
in  the  county. 

Of  bounties  for  the  destruction  of  noxious  animals,  every  new 
country  aflbrds  examples,  but  in  this,  much  less  than  in  some 
others.  The  want  of  unil'ormity  in  the  several  towns,  led  the 
board  of  supervisors  in  1808,  to  recommend  that  $5  should  be 
made  the  limit  of  town  bounties.  This  diversity  of  premiums 
presented  a  temptation  for  fraud,  and  in  some  instances  it  is  said, 
wolves  were  driven  from  one  town  into  another  by  hunters,  to 
gain  the  extra  sum  there  offered.  The  board  has  usually  voted 
a  county  bounty,  which  from  1805  to  1819  was  $10  for  wolves 
and  panthers,  except  that  it  was  in  1815,  16,  17  and  18,  $20 
for  the  latter.  In  1819  $10  was  voted  for  panthers  and  in  1820 
the  same  for  wolves  and  panthers,  with  half  price  for  the  young. 
In  1821  there  were  no  bounties  granted.  '  or  several  years  after 
they  were  continued  at  $10,  seldom  amounting  to  more  than  half 
a  dozen  in  a  year. 

The  first  records  of  Courts  are  dated  June  1807,  but  others  must 
have  been  held  earlier.  An  act  was  passed,  April  1806,  directing 
three  terms  of  the  court  of  common  pleas  to  be  held  in  this 
county  and  Lewis,  since  which  the  times  uf  holding  courts  have 
been  repeatedly  changed.  Tradition  says,  that,  after  formal  ad- 
journment, the  first  court,  which  was  held  in  the  school  house,  on 
the  ground  now  covered  by  the  Universalist  Church,  became  a 
scene  of  fun  and  fiolic,  which  has  since  been  seldom  equaled. 
The  greater  part  of  the  settlers  were  young  or  middle  aged  men, 
some  indulged  in  habits  of  intemperance;  the  customs  of  the 
day  did  not  discountenance  practical  joking,  and  athletic  games 
were  invariably  the  accompaniments  of  all  gatherings.  More- 
over they  had  been  just  organized,  and  must  have  business  for 
their  courts,  else  what  the  need  of  having  courts  1  Should  any 
one  evince  a  disinclination  to  join  in  these  proceedings,  they  were 
accused  of  "sneakism,"  and  arraigned  before  a  mock  tribunal, 
where,  guilty  or  not  guilty,  the  penalty  of  a  "quarter,"  was  sure 
to  be  imposed  for  the  benefit  of  the  crowd.  Among  other  charges 
was  one  against  Esq.  H.,of  Rutland,  a  man  of  very  sober  and 
candid  character,  who  was  charged  with  stealing.  Conscious  of 
innocence,  he  offered  to  be  searched,  when  a  quantity  of  dough 
was  found  in  both  pockets  of  his  coat.  Thus  implicated  by  cir- 
cumstances which  he  could  not  explain,  he  was  fined.  Another 
was  accused  of  falling  asleep,  and  fined  a  shilling,  and  another 
was  fined  a  like  sum  for  smoking  in  the  court  room.  After  pay- 
ing the  penalty,  he  resumed  his  pipe,  and  was  again  arraigned, 


when  he  entered  his  plea  that  the  fine  was  ior  a  pipe  lUii,  wuiuu 


%rh    •*»OC    if^ 


f.,ii    ...u: 


Early  Courts. 


37 


he  had  not  finished,  and  this  afforded  a  subject  of  legal  argument 
for  discussion,  that  elicited  the  research  and  ability  of  the  lawyers 
present.    As  the  avowed  intention  was  to  make  business  for  all 
the  new  officers,  one  was  stripped  and  laid  out  on  a  board,  loosely 
covered  with  cloth,  and  a  coroner  sent  for,  who  commenced  a 
bona  fide  examination,  that  was  interrupted  by  some  one  tipping 
over  the  board,  when  the  "subject"  of  the  hoax  jumped  up  and 
fled.     There  had  not  thus  far  been  any  business  for  the  sheriff, 
but  this  was  at  length  made,  by  their  finding  one  who  had  crept 
into  the  garret  for  concealment.     He  was  dragged  before  their 
tribunal,  where  it  was  decided  that  his  failing  was  a  disease, 
rather  than  a  crime,  and  required  an  enema.     This  "carnival" 
was  continued  the  second  day,  and  although  the  officers  of  the 
court  affected  to  abstain  from  these  frolics,  yet  judicial  dignity 
offered  no  exemption  from  them,  and  all  parties,  whether  willing 
or  unwilling,  were  compelled  to  join.    Companies,  distinguished 
by  personal  peculiarities,  were  paraded  under  officers  selected  for 
the  prominence  of  these  traits,  as  "long  noses,"  &c,  while  the  lit- 
tle short  men  were  organized  into  a  party,  and  charged  with  the 
duty  of  "keeping  the  cats  off."    These  follies  may  be  considered 
puerile,  but  not  more  sq  than  the  annual  carnival  in  some  Eu- 
ropean countries,  and  their  record  is  interesting  from  illustrating 
the  custom  of  the  times,  when  athletic  games  were  fashionable, 
and  men  seldom  met  in  numbers  without  having  "a  regular  train.** 
The  first  criminal  convictions  in  the  county,  are  said  to  have 
been  those  of  Springsteel  and  Jones,  who,  having  committed  a 
burglary  in  Brownville,  were  pursued  and  arrested  in  Denmark, 
Lewis  County.    Not  haVing  yet  had  any  business  of  this  kind 
for  their  courts,  some  of  the  inhabitants  rallied,  and  an  attempt 
was  made  to  detain  the  prisoners  there  for  trial,  but  without 
success.    The  records  of  the  court  of  oyer  and  terminer  and 
general   jail    delivery    commence,  June  17,    1807,    at  which 
Smith  Thompson  was  present  ns  justice,  Augustus  Sacket,  Joshua 
Bealls,  and  Perley  Keyes,  judges,  and  Lyman  Ellis,  assistant 
justice.    Courts  continued  to  be  held  at  the  school  house  until 
the  summer  of  1809,  when  the  Court  House  was  opened. 

An  Act  was  passed  April  18,  1815,  by  which  all  free  males,  of 
legal  age,  worth  $150,  in  personal  property,  and  holding  a  con- 
tract for  lands,  were  made  qualified  to  serve  as  jurors  in  several 
counties,  among  others,  Jefferson,  St.  Lawrence,  Franklin  and 
Lewis. 

The  time  of  meeting  of  the  board  of  supervisors  was  by  an 
Act  of  April  8,  1834,  fixed  at  the  Monday  next  after  the  general 
election,  and  the  judges  of  the  county  couits  were  directed  to 
meet  them  on  Tuesday  of  the  first  week  of  their  sessions,  for  the 
Bppoiniment  of  otbcers. 


CHAPTER  IIL 

HISTORY  OF  LAND  TITLES. 

,  From  time  immemorial,  down  to  a  few  years  after  the  close  of 
the  revolution^  the  title  of  lands  in  this  section  of  the  state,  was 
shared  in  doubtful  supremacy  by  savages  and  other  denizens  of 
the  forest.  At  the  earliest  period  of  authentic  history,  the  Iro- 
quois confederacy,  and  the  Oneida  nation  in  particular,  were 
acknowledged  to  be  the  owners  of  the  greater  portion  of  our 
territory;  which,  according  1o  Gautinonty,  a  chief  of  the  Oswe- 
gatchie  tribe,  extended  as  far  north  as  a  line  running  from  the 
mouth  of  French  Creek  to  Split  Rock  on  Lake  Champlain;  while 
the  Oswegatchies  claimed  the  land  north,  as  far  down  the  St. 
Lawrence  as  Cat  Island  (Louisville),  where  a  monument  had 
been  erected  by  Sir  John  Johnson  *  The  Oneidas,  according  to 
a  map  and  survey  by  Arent  Marselis,  at  the  request  of  John 
Puncan,  and  by  order  of  the  surveyor  general,  claimed  "  from  the 
'  Line  of  Property '  reversed,  and  continued  from  the  Canada 
Creek,  till  it  comes  to  a  certain  mountain  called  Esoiade,  or  the 
Ice  Mountain,  under  which  niountain  th.  t  Canada  Creek,  oppo- 
site to  the  Old  Fort  Hendrick,  heads;  from  thence  running 
westerly  to  an  old  fort  which  stood  on  the  creek,  called  Weter^ 
inghra  Guentere,  and  which  empties  into  the  River  St.  Lawrence, 
about  twelve  miles  below  Carlton  or  Buck's  Island,  and  which 
fort  the  Oneidas  took  from  their  enemies  a  long  time  ago;  from 
thence  running  southerly  to  a  rift  upon  the  Onondaga  River 
called  Ogoutenagea,  or  Aguegonteneayea  (a  place  remarkable 
for  eels),  about  five  miles  from  where  the  river  empties  out  of  the 
Oneyda  Lake."!  Marselis  was  doubtless  the  first  surveyor  in  the 
county,  and  there  is  preserved  a  traverse  of  Hungry  Bay  made  by 
him,  in  September,  1789,  which  began  "  at  a  monument  or  red 
painted  post,  set  Up  by  the  Indians,  as  a  division  line  between 
the  Onendago  and  Oneida  nation;"  from  which  it  would  seem 
that  the  former  claimed  some  right  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Lake 
Ontario.  To  extinguish  these  claims,  a  treaty  was  heid  at  Fort 
Stanwix,  October  22(\,  1784,  with  the  Six  Nations,  by  which  all 
the  country,  east  of  a  line  drawn  from  Johnson's  Landing  Place 
on  the  Lake  Ontario,  and  keeping  four  irUes  east  of  the  carrying 
path  between  that  lake  and  Lake  Erie,  to  the  mouth  of  Tehose- 
roron,  or  Buffalo  Creek,  and  thence  south,  to  the  north  line  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  down  the  Ohio,  was  ceded  to  the  United 

*  Special  message  of  Gov.  Lewis,  Assem.  Journal,  1804-5,  p.  49. 

t  Ta«  Ofigiii&i  Diif  V6y  biU  aiiu  fiiap  ofe  filSQ  is  tuc  iiatS  cngiilaSr'i  offivS. 


Treaty  with  the  Oneida*. 


^ 


States.  The  Oneidas  were  represented  at  this  treaty  by  two 
chiefs.  This  tribe,  by  a  definite  treaty  held  in  September,  1788, 
conveyed  the  greater  part  of  their  lands  to  the  state,  by  the 
following  instrument,  the  original  of  which  is  preserved  in  the 
secretary's  office,*  it  is  on  a  sheet  of  parchment  about  two  feet 
sqyare,  with  thirty-five  seals  of  the  parties,  and  appended  to  it 
is  a  string  of  wampum,  made  of  six  rows  of  cylindrical  white 
and  blue  oeads,  strung  upon  deer  skin  cords.  This  belt  is  about 
two  inches  wide  and  nearly  two  feet  long. 

"At a  Treaty  held  at  Fort  Schuyler,  formerly  called  Fort  Stanwix,  in 
the  state  of  New  York,  by  His  Excellency  George  Clinton,  governor  of 
the  said  State,  and  Wiliam  Floyd,  Ezra  L'Hommedieu,  Richard  Varick, 
Samuel  Jones,  Egbert  Benson,  and  Peter  Gansevoort,  Junior,  (Commis- 
sioners, authorized  for  that. purpose  by  and  on  behalf  of  the  People  of 
the  State  of  New  York,)  with  the  tribe  or  nation  of  Indians,  called  the 
Oneidas.  It  is  on  the  22nd  day  of  September,  1788,  covenanted  and 
concluded  as  follows.  Firsts  the  Oneidas  do  cede  and  grant,  all  their 
lands  to  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York,  forever.  l^concUy,  of  the 
said  ceded  lands,  tin  following  tract,  to  wit:  Beginning  at  the  Wood 
Creek,  opposite  to  the  mouth  of  the  Canada  Creek,  and  where  the  line 
of  property  comes  to  the  said  Wood  Creek  and  runs  thence  southerly  to 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  tract,  to  be  granted  to  John  Francis  Pearche, 
thence  along  the  westerly  bounds  of  the  said  tract  to  the  southwest 
corner  thereof,  thence  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  tract  granted  to 
James  Dean,  thence  along  the  westerly  bounds  thereof  to  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  last  mentioued  tract,  thence  due  south  until  it  intersects  a 
due  west  line  fronr  the  head  of  the  Tienadaha,  or  Unadilla  River,  thence 
from  the  said  point  of  intersection  due  west,  until  the  Deep  Spring  bears 
due  north,  thence  due  north  to  the  Deep  Spring;  thence  the  nearest 
course  to  the  Caneserage  Creek,  and  thence  along  the  said  Creek,  liio 
Oneida  Lake,  and  the  Wood  Creek,  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  be 
reserved  for  the  following  uses,  that  is  to  say:  The  lands  lying  to  the 
uorthward  of  a  line  parallel  to  the  southern  line  of  the  said  leserved 
lands  and  four  miles  distant  from  the  said  southern  line,  the  Oneidas 
'  shall  hold  to  themselves  and  their  posterity  forever,  for  their  own  use  and 
cultivation,  but  not  to  be  sold,  len^ied,  ur  in  any  other  manner  aliened  or 
disposed  of  to  others.  The  Oneidas  may  from  time  to  time  forever  make 
leases  of  the  lands  between  the  said  parallel  line,  (being  the  residue  of 
the  said  reserved  lands,)  to  such  persons,  and  on  such  rents  reserved  as 
vhey  shall  deem  proper,  but  no  lease  shall  be  for  a  longer  term  than 
twenty-one  years  from  the  making  thereof,  and  no  new  lease  shall  be 
made,  until  the  former  lease  of  the  same  lands  shall  have  expired.  The 
rents  shall  be  to  the  use  of  the  Oneidas  and  their  posterity  forever.  And 
the  peo|)le  of  the  state  of  New  York  shall,  from  time  to  time,  make  pro- 
vision by  law  to  compel  the  leasees  to  pay  the  rent,  and  in  every  other 
respect  enable  the  Oneidas  and  their  posterity  to  have  the  full  benefit  of 
their  right,  so  to  make  leases,  and  to  prevent  frauds  on  them,  respecting 
the  same.  And  the  Oneidas,  and  their  posterity  forever,  shall  enjoy  the 
free  right  of  hunting  in  every  partof  the  said  ceded  lauds,  and  of  fishing 
in  all  the  waters  within  the  same,  and  especially  there  shall  forever  re- 
main ungranted  by  the  people  of  the  stale  of  New  York,  one  half  mile 
square  at  the  distance  of  every  six  miles  of  the  lands  along  the  northern 
bounds  of  the  Oneida  Lake,  oue  half  mile  in  breadth  of  the  lands  on 


40 


Treaty  with  the  Oneidas. 


each  side  of  Fish  Creek,*  and  a  convenient  piece  of  land  at  the  ilBhing 
place  in  the  Ouondago  River,  about  three  miles  from  where  it  issues  out 
of  the  Oneida  Lake,  and  to  remain  as  well  for  the  Oneidas  and  their 
posterity,  as  for  the  inhabitants  of  said  state,  to  land  and  encamp  on,  but, 
notwithstanding  any  reservation  to  the  Oneidas,  the  people  of  the  state 
may  erect  public  works  and  edifices  as  they  shall  think  proper,  nt  such 

Elace  or  places,  at  or  near  the  confluence  of  Wood  Creek  and  the  Oneida 
lake,  as  they  shall  elect,  and  may  take  or  appropriate  for  such  works  or 
buildings,  lands  to  the  extent  of  one  square  mile  at  each  place.    And 
further,  notwithstanding  any  reservation  of  lands  to  the  Oneidas,  for  their 
own  use,  the  New  England  Indians,  (now  settled  at  Brotherton,  under  the 
Reverend  Samson  Occum,]  and  their  posterity  forever,  and  the  Stock- 
bridge  Indians  and  their  posterity  forever,  and  to  enjoy  their  settlements 
on  the  lands  heretofore  given  to  them  by  the  Oneidas  for  that  purpose, 
that  is  to  say,  a  tract  of  two  miles  in  breadth,  and  three  miles  in  length, 
for  the  New  England  Indiana,  and  a  tract  of  six  miles  square,  for  the 
Stockbridge  Indians.     Thirdly,  in  consideration  of  the  said  cession  and 
grant,  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York  do  at  this  treaty  pay  to  the 
Oneidas  two  thousand  dollars  in  money,  two  thousand  dollars  in  clothing, 
and  other  goods,  and  one  thousand  dollars  in  provisions,  and  also  five 
hundred  dollars  in  money,  to  be  paid  towards  building  a  grist  mill,  and  a 
saw  mill  at  their  village,  (the  receipts  of  which  moneys,  clothing,  goods  and 
provisions  the  Oneidas  do  now  acknowledge,  j  and  the  people  of  the  state 
of  New  York  shall  annually  pay  to  the  Oneidas,  and  their  posterity  for- 
ever, on  the  first  day  of  June  in  every  year,  at  Fort  Schuyler,  aforesaid, 
six  hundred  dollars  in  silver,  but,  if  the  Oneidas  or  their  posterity  shall 
at  any  time  liereaAer  elect,  that  the  whole  or  any  part  of  the  said  six 
hundred  dollars  shall  be  paid  in  clothing  or. provisions,  and  give  six  weeks 
previous  notice  thereof  to  the  governor  of  the  said  state  for  the  time 
being,  then  so  much  of  the  annual  payment  shall  for  that  time  be  in 
clothing  or  provisions,  as  the  Oneidas  and  their  posterity  shall  elect,  and 
at  the  price  which  the  Hanie  shall  cost  the  people  of  the    state  of  New 
York  at  Fort  Schuyler,  aforesaid,  and  as  a  further  consideration  to  the 
Oneidns,  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York  shall  grant  to  the  said  John 
Francis  Pearche,  a  tract  of  land ;  Beginning  in  the  line  of  property,  at  a 
certain  cedar  tree,  near  the  road  leading  to  Oneida,  and  runs  from  the 
said   cedar  tree  southerly  along  the  line  of  property  two  miles,  then 
westerly  at  right  angles  to  the  said  lineof  property  two  miles,  then  north- 
erly at  right  angles  to  the  last  course  two  miles,  and  thence  to  the  ploce 
of  beginning,  which  the  said  John  Francis  Pearche,  hath  consented  to 
accept  from  the  Oneidas,  in  satisfaction  for  an  injury  done  to  him  by  one 
of  their  nation.    And  further  the  lands  intended  by  the  Oneidas  for  John 
T.  Kirkland,  and  for  George  VV.  Kirkland,  being  now  appropriated  to 
the  use  of  the  Oneidas,  tiie  people  of  the  state  of  New  York  shall  there- 
fore, by  a  grant  of  other  lands,  make  compensation  to  the  said  John  T. 
Kirkland,  and  George  W.  Kirkland.  And  further,  that  the  people  of  the 
state  of  New  York  shall,  as  a  benevolence  from  the  Oneidas  to  Peter 
Penct,  and  in  return  for  services  rendered  by  him  to  their  nation,  grant 
to  the  same  Peter  Penet,  of  the  said  ceded  lands,  lying  to  the  northward 
of  the  Oneida  Lake,  a  tract  of  land  ten  miles  square,  wherbver  he  shall 

*  This  reservation  gave  rise  to  many  apprehensions  on  the  part  of  the  pur- 
chasers, as  it  was  supposed  to  extend  into  the  Boylston  Tract,  in  Lewis  County. 
The  author  is  not  aware  how  this  affair  was  settled.  The  reservation  would, 
it  is  said,  have  covered  40,000  acres,  if  it  extended  the  source  of  thut  stream. 
The  patent  to  Macomb  made  no  reservations  in  this  point,  so  that  the  diflliculty 
lay  between  the  state  and  the  Indians, 


Mac<mb''%  Purchase. 


le  fishing 
8sues  out 
and  their 
p  on,  but, 
the  state 
-,  nt  such 
ie  Oneida 
works  or 
ice.  And 
I,  for  their 
under  the 
lie  Stock- 
mlemenUi 
t  purpose, 
in  length, 
re,  for  the 


perty,  at  a 
i  from  the 
miles,  then 
hen  north- 
0  the  phce 
nsented  to 
lirn  by  one 
as  for  John 
>priated  to 
lall  there- 
John  T. 
opie  of  the 
18  to  I'eter 
Uion,  grant 
northward 
er  he  shall 

of  the  pur- 
vis  County, 
ion  would, 
hut  stream, 
he  difficulty 


>5 


•lect  the  same.  •  FowiUy,  the  people  of  the  state  of  Now  York,  may,  in 
such  manner  ns  thev  shall  deem  proper,  prevent  any  person,  except  the 
OneidiiB,  from  residing  or  settling  on  the  lands  so  to  be  held  by  the 
Oneidas  and  their  posterity,  for  their  own  use  and  cultivation,  and  if  any 
person  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York, 
comp  to  reside  or  settle  on  the  said  lands  or  on  any  other  of  the  Inndd  so 
ceded  as  aforesaid,  except  the  lands  whereof  the  Oneidas  may  make  leasee, 
aw  aforesaid,  tiie  OneidaH  and  tbeir  posteritjr  shall  forehwith  ^ive  notice 
of  such  intrusions  to  the  governor  of  the  said  state,  for  the  time  being. 
And  further  the  Oneidas  and  their  posterity  forever,  shall,  at  the  request 
of  the  governor  of  the  said  state,  be  aiding  to  the  people  of  the  state  of 
New  York,  in  the  removing  of  all  such  intruders,  and  in  apprehending 
not  only  such  intruders  but  also  felons  and  all  other  offenders,  who  may 
happen  to  be  on  the  said  ceded  land,  to  the  end  that  such  iotrudera, 
felons  and  other  offenders  mjiy  be  brought  to  justice. 

In  testimony  whereof,  as  well  the  sachems,  chief  warriors,  and  otheri 
of  the  said  Oneidas,  in  behalf  of  their  tribe,  or  nation,  as  the  said  governor 
and  other  commissioners  of  the  people  of  the  state  of  New  York,  have 
hereunto  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  affixed  their  seals,  the  day 
and  year  first  above  written. 

Odafrhseghte,  Kanaffhiveaga,  Peter  Utaiqxiette,  Toyohagxeeanda,  Shmovgh- 
lego,  alias  Anihony,  Thaghniyongo,  Tekeandyahkon,  Olaetogou,  Oneyanha^ 
alias  Beech  Tree,  Thaghtaghguiaea,  Gaghsaweda,  Thougweaghahale,  0/ts- 
talale,  alias  Haruputrry,  Thaghneghtolia,  alias  Hendrick,  Kanaghaalughf 
Tha^hiweangaloha,  alius  Paulua,  Jigwelentongwaa,  alias  Domine  Peter^ 
Kahtehtotan ;  Teyovghnihalk,  KonwagcUot,*  Joneghfliahea,  alias  Danitl, 
Jilavnatonia,  alias  Blackamith,  Sagoyonilut,  Kaakonghguea,  Kanawgalet,* 
Thnniyeandagayon,  Keanyoko,  alias  i)avid,  Hannah  Sodolk,*  Hononwayele.* 

Oeorge  Clinton,  RicWd  Varick,  Peter  Ganaevoort  Jr.,  Wm.  Floyd,  Samud 
Jonea,  Skenondonga,  Ezra  UHommedieu,  Egbert  Benson. 

At  a  treaty  held  at  Kon-on-daigua,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  11, 1794,  the  United 
States  confirmed  this  treaty  of  the  Oneidas. 

The  office  of  Zand  Commissioners  was  created  in  1786,  and  they 
were  clothed  with  discretionary  powers  in  selling  the  unappro- 
priated lands  of  the  state.  The  manner  in  which  they  exercised 
this  trust  has  been  made  the  subject  of  severe  censure.  On  the 
22d  of  June,  1791,  Alexander  Macomb,  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
actinfir  as  the  agent  of  a  company  said  to  consist  of  himself, 
D  niel  McCormick,  and  Wm.  Constable,  all  of  New  York,  ap- 
plied for  the  purchase  of  a  tract  of  land  since  known  as  Macomb's 
Purchase,!  embracing  the  greater  part  of  Franklin,  the  whole 
of  St.  Lawrence,  excepting  the  "  ten  towns "  and  Massena,  the 
whole  of  Jefferson  (excepting  Penet's  square  and  Tibbet's  Point), 
the  whole  of  Lewis,  and  a  part  of  Oswego  counties.'  This  pro- 
position included  the  islands  in  Lake  Ontario  and  the  St.  Law- 
rence, fronting  the  tract,  and  excepted  five  per  cent  for  roads, 
and  all  lakes  of  greater  area  than  1000  acres.  The  proposed 
price  was  eight  pence  per  acre.    One  sixth  part  was  payable  in 

*  Women. 

t  Full  (ietaili  of  this  purchase,  with  a  copy  of  his  applications  may  be  found 
in  the  Hist,  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin  Counties,  p.  253,  st  stq. 


4S 


>-.'» 


Penet^t  Patent. 


li 

II  ! 


..'One  year,  and  the  residue  in  five  equal  annual  instalments.  If 
one-sixth  were  secured  by  satisfactory  bonds,  and  paid,  and 
another  sixth  in  like  manner  secured,  Macomb  was  to  receive  a 
patent  for  a  sixth  part,  in  a  square,  in  one  of  the  corners  of  the 
tract,  and  the  same  rule  was  to  be  observed  throughout,  until  the 
whole  was  paid.  Carlton,  or  Buck's  Island,  and  the  Long 
Sault  Island,  were  expressly  reserved  to  the  state.  This  pro- 
position was  accepted,  and  the  surveyor-general  was  directed  to 
survey  the  tract  at  the  expense  of  Macomb.  On  the  10th  of 
January,  1792,  he  reported  that  the  conditions  had  been  com- 
plied with,  and  on  that  day  a  patent*  was  issued  to  Macomb,  for 
i,920,000  acres,  reseserving  800  acres  to  be  located  by  the  sur- 
veyor-general.f  This  included  the  whole  of  the  tract  not  in  the 
present  counties  of  Franklin  and  St.  Lawrence,  an  uncertainty 
existing  in  relation  to  the  islands  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  these  were 
patented  after  the  national  boundary  had  been  determined,  and  to 
other  parties.  The  reservation  stipulated  to  Penet,  was  confirmed 
by  the  following  proceedings  of  the  land  commissioners. 

'*  At  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Land  Office  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  held  at  the  secretary's  office  in  the  city  of 
New  York  on  Saturday  the  8th  day  of  August,  1789.  Present, 
His  Excellency,  George  Clinton,  Esquire,  Governor,  Lewis  A. 
Scott,  Esquire,  J^Secretary,  Richard  Varick,  Esquire,  Attorney 
General,  and  Gerardus  Bancker,  Treasurer. 

Resolved,  That  the  surveyor-general  be  directed  to  lay  out  for 
Peter  Penet,  and  at  his  expense,  the  lands  ceded  by  the  Oneida 
Nation  to  the  people  of  this  state,  by  their  deed  of  cession  dated 
the  22d  day  of  September  last,  lying  to  the  northward  of  Oneida 
Lake,  a  tract  often  miles  square,  wherever  he  shall  elect  the 
same;  and  further,  that  he  lay  out  for  John  Francis  Pearche,  and 
at  his  expense,  a  tract  of  land  stipulated  by  the  said  deed  of 
cession  to  be  granted  to  him,"  &c.,  referring  to  a  tract  two 
miles  square  in  Oneida  county. — Land  Office  Minutes,  Vol.  2, 
p.  66. 

On  the  19th  of  Nov.  1789,  the  following  action  was  taken: 
**  The  Surveyor-General,  agreeable  to  an  order  of  this  board,  of 
the  8th  of  August  last,  having  made  a  return  of  survey  for  Peter 
Penet,  of  a  tract  of  ten  miles  square,  as  elected  by  John  Duncan, 
his  agent  (of  the  lands  ceded  by  the  Oneida  Nation  of  Indians  to 
the  people  of  this  state,  by  their  deed  of  cession,  dated  the  22d 
day  of  Sept.  1788),  lying  to  the  northward  of  Oneida  Lake,  as  by 

«  8ec.  Office  Patents,  b  23,  p.  160. 

\  This  was  selected  on  Tibbet's  Point  in  Cape  Vincent,  at  the  outlet  of  the 
lake,  which  was  patented  to  Capt.  John  Tibbets  of  Troy,  and  never  formed 
a  part  of  Macomb's  Purchase.  It  embraced  but  600  acres,  as  surveyed  by  JfAax 
Campbell  in  the  fall  of  1799. 


Titkg  of  Penet  Square. 

the  said  return  of  survey  filed  in  the  secretary's  office,  will  more 
fully  appear.  And  the  said  John  Duncan,  having  as  agent  as  afore- 
said, made  application  to  the  board  for  letters  patent  for  the  same, 
Resolved,  therefore,  that  the  Secretary  do  prepare  letters  patent, 
to  the  said  Peter  Penet,  for  the  said  tract  of  ten  miles  square, 
accordingly,  and  lay  them  before  the  board  for  their  approba- 
tion.— Land  Office  Minutes,  vol.  2,  p.  80. 

Peter  Penet,  by  an  instrument  dated  January  23,  1729,*  made 
John  Duncan  his  attorr^ey,  and  the  latter  received,  November 
19th,  1789,  a  patent,-,  for  a  tract  ten  miles  square,  which  on  the 
13th  of  July,  1790,  he  conveyed|  for  the  nominal  sum  of  five 
shillings  to  James  Watson,  and  James  Greenleaf  of  New  York. 
February  26,  1795,  Watson  released^  to  Greenleaf  his  half  of 
the  tract  for  jGICOO;  the  latter  having,  September  4th,  1797, 
conveyed  by  deed  the  64,000  acres  to  Simon  Desjardines||  for 
je  19,400. 

Desjardines  conveyed  to  Nicholas  Olive  of  New  York,  Jan- 
uary 29th,  1796,11  and  the  latter  to  Herman  LeRoy,  William 
Bayard,  .and  James  Mc  Evers,  44,000  acres  of  this  tract,**  in 
trust  as  joint  tenants  for  certain  heirs,  of  whom  Mallett  Prevost, 
was  entitled  to  8,000  acres;  John  Lewis  Grenus  to  12,000  acres; 
Henry  Finguerlin,  Jr.,  8,000  acres.  At  the  time  of  this 
conveyance  Olive  held  these  lands  intrust,  and  16,000  acres 
in  his  own  right.  A  deed  of  partition  between  the  proprietors 
was  executed  May  17th,  l802,tt  according  to  a  division  by  bal- 
lot, as  follows:  N.  Olive  16,000;  J.  L.  Grenus  1,200;  H.  Fin- 
guerlin, Jr.,  8,000;  A.  M.  Prevost  8,000  acres,  making  44,000 
acres,  which  with  8,000  to  Louis  Le  Guen,  and  15,000  to  John 
Wilkes  previously  conveyed  by  01ive,J|  made  64,000  acres  on 
the  whole  tract.  After  the  deed  of  partition,  and  on  the  11th 
of  June,  1802,  the  proprietors  released  to  one  another  the  quan- 
tity allotted  to  each,  as  follows:  John  Wilkes  and  Louis  Le 
Guen,  to  Le  Roy,  Bayard,  and  McEvers,  of  44,000  acres;  L., 
B.,  &  M.,  and  Louis  Le  Guen,  to  John  Wilkes  of  12,000;  and 
L.,  B.,  &  M.,  and  J.  Wilkes  to  L.  Le  Guen  of  8,000  acres.§§ 

Nicholas  Olive,  in  his  will,  made  his  wife  and  Henry  Cheriot 
his  executors,  and  his  widow  afterwards  married  Simon  Louis 
Pierre,  Marquis  de  Cubieres  of  Paris,  who  with  his  wife  did, 
May  9th,  1818,  appoint  L,  B.,  and  M  to  convey  to  Provost 
Grenus  and  Finguerlin,  their  several  shares.      The  latter,  May 

*  Sec.  office  deeds  22,  p.  277.       ||  Sec.  office  deeds  38,  p.  344. 
t  lb.  patents  21,  p.  407.  1  lb.  deeds  38,  p.  352.  : 

X  Not  recorded.  **  lb,  deeds  33,  p.  165. 

$  Sec.  office  deeds  38,  p.  350.  ft  Jeff.  Co.,  deeds  rec.  Dec.  1 4th,  1824. 

It  Olive  conveyed,  Oct.  15th,  1800,  8,000  acres  to  Henry  Cheriot  (sec.  deeds 
38,  p.  347),  and  C.  to  John  Wilkes  the  same,  Oct.  16th,  1800  (ib.  p.  432). 
ii  Jefferson  Co.  deeds,  ree.  June  isth,  1825. 


44 


MacornVt  Purchase. 


V 


' 


SOth,  1817,*  directed  L.,  B.,  &  M.  to  convey  to  Joseph  Russel! 
and  John  La  Farge.  Le  Roy  and  Bayard  deeded  to  John, 
Henry,  and  Edmund  \V'ilkes,  16,000  acres  September  23d, 
1818,t  and  the  latter  ir  John  La  Farge,  April  14th,  1823,t 
having  received <May  9th,  1818,  from  the  Marquis  de  Cubieres, 
and  wife,  a  power  of  attorneyl  for  the  purpose.  Le  Roy  and 
Bayard  conveyed  12,000  acres  Nov.  23d,  1818,  and§  to  Russell 
and  La  Farge  8,000  acres  Sep.  23d,  1818.§  Joseph  Russell 
released  his  half  of  these  8,000  acres  Dec.  12th,  1818.§  John 
Wilkes  to  Charles  Wilkes  Jan.  1st,  18]8,||  sold  8,000  acres,  and 
the  latter  the  same  to  La  Farge  June  3d,  1825.||  By  these  con- 
veyances Mr.  La  Farge  became  the  owner  of  the  greater  part 
of  Penet  Square;  but  he  allowed  the  lands  to  be  sold  for  taxes, 
and  his  claims  were  subsequently  confirmed  by  a  comptroller's 
deed,  from  Wm.  L.  Marcy,  May  13th,  1828. 

On  the  23d  of  Nov.,  1819,  Francis  Depau  bought  fifteen 
lots  (21  to  26,  41  to  45,  66  to  60),  for  |12,000,lf  excepting 

Earts  sold  to  Samuel  Ruggles.  In  our  account  of  Orleans,  will 
e  given  a  detail  of  the  irregularities  growing  out  of  occupation 
without  title,  and  the  conflicting  claims  which  continued  many 
years,  and  produced  much  difficulty. 

The  whole  of  Macomb's  contract  was  estimated  to  contain, 
after  deducting  five  per  cent.,  3,670,715  acres,  and  was  divided 
into  five  tracts.  Tract  No.  I  contained  821,819  acres,  and  is 
wholly  in  Franklin  County.  No.  II  embraced  553,020  acres,  or 
the  present  towns  of  Parishville,  Colton,  Hopkinton,  Lawrence, 
Brasher,  and  a  small  part  of  Massena,  in  St.  Lawrence  County. 
No.  Ill,  the  remainder  of  St.  Lawrence  County  south  and  west 
of  the  ten  towns,  or  458,222  acres.  No.  IV  contained  450,960 
acres  in  Jefferson  County,  it  being,  with  the  exception  of  Penet's 
Square  and  Tibbet's  Point,  all  of  that  county  north  of  a  line 
drawn  from  the  southwest  corner  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  north 
87°  west,  to  Lake  Ontario.  No.  V  (26,250  acres)  and  Na  VI 
(74,400  acres)  formed  the  rest  of  the  purchase;  the  division  line 
between  which  numbers  was  never  surveyed.  Soon  after  per- 
fecting his  title  to  a  portion  of  his  tract,  Macomb  employed 
William  Constable  (who  is  said  to  have  been  with  Daniel 
McCormick  the  principal  proprietor)  as  his  agent  to  sell  lands 
in  Europe;  and,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1792,  lie  released,  and 
October  3d,  1792,  conveyed  to  him  the  whole  of  tracts  IV,  V, 
and  VI,  for  J650,()00.**    Macomb  had  become  involved  in  specu- 

*  Jeff,  deeds  N.  477.  S  lb.  rec.  Oct.  5,  1819. 

tib.  deeds,  rec.  June  33d,  1821.  ||  Jeff.  Co.  rec.  June  18,  1825. 

lib.  rec.  Oct.  23d,  1818.  t  Jeff.  Co.  deeds,  N.  60S. 

«*  SecreUry's  Office,  Deeds  24,  pp.  300  and  332,  August  2,  1792. 


Itr 


The  Cha^*"  ^i»  Purchtue. 


lations,  by  which  he  lost  his  property,  and  was  lodged  Id  jail;* 
and  his  name  does  not  subsequently  appear  in  the  transfers  of 
land.  He  had  been  a  fur  trader  in  Detroit,  afterwards  became 
a  merchant  and  capitalist  in  New  York,  and  was  the  father  of 
tiie  late  General  Macomb  of  the  war  of  1812. 

The  first  direct  measure  taken  for  the  actual  settlement  of  the 
section  of  the  state  embraced  in  Jefferson  County,  was  in  1792. 
On  the  31st  of  August,  William  Constable,  then  in  Europe, 
executed  a  deed  to  Peter  Chass&nis,  of  Paris,  for  630,000  acres 
south  of  Great  Lot  No.  IV,  which  now  constitutes  a  part  of 
Jefferson  and  Lewis  Counties.  A  tract  in  Leyden,  previously 
conveyed  to  Patrick  Colquhoun  and  William  Inman,  wa« 
excepted.  Chassanis  acted  as  the  "agent  for  the  associated  pur- 
chasers of  lands  in  Montgomery  County,"  and  the  lands  were  to 
be  by  him  held  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  said  William  Constable, 
and  disposed  of  by  sections  of  one  hundred  acres  each,  at  the  rate 
of  eight  livres  Tournoisf  per  acre;  in  which  said  conveyance  it 
is  declared,  that  the  said  Chassanis  should  account  for  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  s&les  to  Coastable,  according  to  the  terms  of  an 
agreement  between  them,  excepting  one-tenth  thereof.  The 
state  reservations  for  roads,  &c.,  were  stipulated.  A  deed  for 
625,000  acres  having  been  made  from  Constable  to  Chassanis. 
and  delivered  as  an  escrow  to  Rene  Lambot,  to  take  effect  on  the 
payment  of  JC52,000,  it  was  agreed  that  the  price  for  this  land 
should  be  one  shilling  per  acre.  Constable  bound  himself  to 
procure  a  perfect  title,  to  be  authenticated  and  deposited  with 
the  Consul  General  of  France,  in  Philadelphia;  and  Cha&^ania 
agreed  that  the  moneys  received  by  Lambot  should  be  remitted 
to  Ransom,  Moreland  &  Hammersley,  in  London,  as  received, 
subject  to  Constable's  order,  on  presenting  the  certificate  of 
Charles  Texier,  Consul,  of  his  having  procured  a  clear  title. 
If  the  sales  shall  not  have  amounted  to  j£62,750,  the  balanco 
should  be  paid  in  six,  nine,  and  twelve  months,  in  bills  upon 
London.  Constable  granted,  for  one  month,  the  right  of  pre- 
emption to  Tract  No.  IV,  at  the  rate  of  one  shilling  sterling, 
payable  in  three,  six,  and  nine  months  from  the  date  of  the  deed) 
as  above. 

The  plan  of  the  association  contemplated  by  this  company  ^8 
set  forth  in  the  following  document,  which  we  translate  from  an 
original  copy  printed  in  Paris  in  1792,  in  the  possession  of  Hon* 
Wm.  C.  Pierrepont,  who  has  kindly  permitted  it  to  be  used  for 
this  work.  It  is  very  probable  that  the  stormy  period  of  the 
French  revolution  that  soon  followed  prevented  its  execution: 


*  See  History  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Fran^dia  Countiei,  p.  343. 
t  Final  io$l"50. 


46 


The  Aet/J  York  or  Cliattanis  Company. 


"AssociATiON/or  thf  purehcue  and  BettUment  0/ 600,000  aorta  qf  land, 
granted  by  the  State  of  N'txe  York^t  and  situated  within  that  state  between  the 
4Sd  deg.  and  Aith  deg.  of  latitude,  upon  Lake  Ontario,  and  35  leagues  from 
the  city  and  port  qfMbany,  where  vessels  land  from  Europe. 

Many  details  suggested  by  the  consideration  of  the  internal  and  ex» 
ternal  advantages  of  this  vast  and  rich  domain,  of  which  we  have  direct 
knowledge,  has  led  to  a  plan  of  deveLping  its  resources,  and  of  present- 
iug  the  speculation  to  Europeans.  It  is  to  be  noticed  that  this  tract  pre- 
sents in  its  fertility,  all  the  wealth  of  agricuitiiro;  by  the  fine  distribution 
of  its  waters,  the  tacilities  for  an  extended  comtnercu;  ay  its  location  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  a  dense  population,  security  to  its  inhabitants; 
and  by  the  laws  of  n  people  independent  and  rich  with  their  own  capital, 
all  the  benefits  of  liberty  without  its  drawbacks.  These  incontestible 
facts,  developed  without  art,  and  declared  in  a  public  notice,  may  be 
easily  proved  by  simple  inspection  of  the  geography,  and  a  general 
acqaintance  of  the  state  of  New  York.  Believing  thot  the  value  of  this 
vast  domain  would  be  enhanced  by  the  activity  of  cultivation  and  settle- 
ment, the  proprietors  have  united  in  attempting  the  fbrmatiou  of  a  family, 
in  some  way  united  by  common  interests  and  common  wants;  and  to 
promote  the  success  of  ihis  measure,  they  here  offer  an  account  of  the 
origiu,aMd  plan  of  their  association.  To  maintain  this  essential  unity  of 
interests,  the  projectors  have  devised  a  plan  that  renders  each  tnember 
directly  interested  in  the  property,  and  require  that  a  division  shall  be 
made  by  lot,  that  shall  give  at  once  a  title  to  fifty  acres  individually,  and 
to  fifty  m  a  portion  that  shall  remain  common  and  undivided  until  a  fixed 
periou ;  and  tiiut  thesn  subdivisions  may  operate  in  a  ready  and  economical 
manner,  they  have  adopted  a  form  of  certificate  [forme  <f  Adion],  to  the 
bearer,  as  best  combining  the  desired  features,  and  odvantages  of  being 
evidences  of  the  first  title  of  purchase,  and  the  undivided  portion,  and  of 
partaking  of  the  nature  of  an  authentic  title.  In  consequence,  they  have 
purchased  this  estate,  and  agreed  that  it  should  be  done  in  the  name  of 
tiieur  Chasaanis,  in  whom  they  have  united  their  confidence,  and  whom 
they  have  authorized  to  sign  the  certificates.  He  is  to  receive  the  funds 
to  be  credited  to  each,  as  titles  of  property,  and  furnish  declarations  to 
those  who  desired.  Subsequent  to  the  purchase,  the  parties  interested 
have  established  the  followin|;  rules,  which  shall  be  the  common  law  of 
the  holders  of  certificates,  as  mseparable  from  the  title  resulting.  These 
rules  are  divided  into  two  sections,  the  one  including  the  articles  essen- 
tial to  title,  and  the  unalterable  law  of  the  proprietors,  the  other  embracing 
the  provisional  rules  and  regulations  of  the  common  interest. 

Section  I.  Article  1.  The  600,000  acres  of  land  which  Peter  Chassanis 
has  purchased  of  Wm.  Constable  (in  which  are  reserved  five  acres  in  each 
100),  shall  be  subdivided  into  6000  portions,  including  the  fractional  por- 
tions. 

Art.  2.  A  direct  title  shall  be  given  upon  application  by  the  holders  of 
certificates,  in  their  own  name. 

<.^rf.3.  These  certificates  shall  be  of  the  following  form: 

TiUe  of  the  associaton  of  the  JVew  York  company,  in  the  purchase  o/"  600,000 
acres  of  land  in  Montgomery  county,  Slate  of  JVew  York: 

"The  bearer  of  this  certificate  has  paid  the  sum  of  eight  hundred  hvres 
*'  which  renders  him  the  owner  of  a  hundred  acres  in  six  hundred  thou- 
"  sand  acres  which  have  been  sold  to  us  as  representatives  of  the  com- 
"pany  of  Proprietors  [Companie  des  Aclionnaires~\,  according  to  the  pre- 
**sent  contract,  which  requires  us  to  pass  the  necessary  titles  of  this  por- 
'*tion  of  the  estate,  in  favor  of  tlie  holder  of  this  certificate,  whenever  ho 
"  may  wish  to  receive  it  in  his  own  name.    The  present  certificate  is  for 


The  New  York  or  Chcutanit  Company. 


47 


3  holders  of 


<*  an  integral  part,  and  a  <Vaction  of  the  purchase  above  mentioned,  hy 
"  virtue  of  wiiioh,  tlie  bearer  is  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  this  association, 
"of  which  the  articles  and  rules  are  fixed  by  the  terms  of  agreement 
"  annexed  to  this  common  title. 

''This  certificate  bears  the  number .    In  evidence  of  which  it 

"  has  been  signed  by  myself,  countersigned  by  the  oommiaaaries  of  tho 
"  company,  and  inspected  by  M.  Lambot,  notary." 

Paria,  this of " 

These  shall  remain  deposited  in  the  hands  of  M.  Lambot,  Notary  at 
Paris,  who  shall  make  the  distribution  after  the  inspection  and  signature, 
of  which  we  shall  speak  hereafter.  The  price  of  a  certificate,  shalfremain 
fixed  at  800  livres,  which  shall  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  M.  Lambot  Of 
this  sum  one  tenth  part  shall  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  trustees,  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  concern,  such  as  purchasing  of  tools,  materials, 
provisions,  the  opening  of  roads,  necessary  fixtures,  surveys,  and  explora- 
tions. The  nine  other  tenths,  shall  belong  to  the  seller,  who  shall  convev, 
after  the  transfer  has  been  duly  made  by  Wm.  Constable  in  America,  a  title 
with  all  the  formalities  required  by  the  usages  of  the  country.  This  rei  lit- 
tance  shall  be  made  by  the  depository,  directing  the  sums  received  to 
Messrs.  Ransom,  Moreland  &  Hammersley,  bankers  in  London,  in  drafts 
upon  that  city ;  which  shall  be  sent  as  received,  without  waiting  the  return 
of  titles,  but  till  that  time  that  the  said  Wm.  Coustable  shall  not  draw 
from  ti.e  hands  of  the  said  bankers  in  London. 

^rt.  i.  The  600,000  acres  shall  be  divided  into  13,000  lots  of  50  acres 
each,  of  which  six  thousand  shall  be  divided,  and  set  apart  in  the  begin- 
ning, for  individual  properties,  and  six  other  thousand  shall  belong  to  the 
company,  who  shall  ultimately  take  measures  for  increasing  its  value, 
and  for  a  divison  after  the  manner  hereinafter  mentioned. 

w^rt.  6.  Each  holder  of  certificates  shall  have  one  separate  lot,  and  one 
in  common  and  undivided  stock. 

^rt.  7.  The  30,000  acres  additional,  resulting  from  the  reservations  in 
the  above  tract,  shall  be  divided  as  tullows:  two  thousand  acres  in  the 
formation  of  a  city,  in  the  interior  of  the  tract,  on  the  banks  of  the  great 
river  that  traverses  the  concession, . . . .  < 2000. 

Two  thousand  acres  besides,  to  the  founding  of  a  second  city,  upon 
the  banks  of  Lake  Ontario,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river  upon  which  the  first 
city  shall  be  built  to  serve  for  a  port  and  entrepdt  of  commerce.. .  2000. 

six  thousand  acres  shall  be  divided  among  artisans,  who  shall  be  dis- 
tributed in  the  settlements,  such  as  masons,  carpentf^j,  i  icksmiths,  and 
joiners,  to  be  charged  to  them  after  seven  years,  by  p&ying  a  rent  of 
twelve  sous  per  acre 6000. 

The  twenty  thousand  acres  remaining  shall  be  expended  in  the  con- 
struction of  roads  and  bridges,  or  disposed  of  as  the  society  may 
direct 20,000. 

.Srt.  8.  The  iocatiun  of  the  two  cities  shall  be  divided  into  14000  lots, 
of  which  2000  shall  bo  reserved  for  markets,  and  edifices,  such  as 
churches,  schpolsiond  other  public  establishments,  and  for  poor  artisans, 
who  s|»ill  be  desirous  of  locating  there.  The  12,000  remaining  lots' shall 
be  divik'ed  into  two  classes,  the  one  of  separate  and  the  other  of  undivided 
ownership.  One  lot  of  each  class  shall  belong  to  each  owner  of  certificates. 

w2r/.  9.  The  choice  of  divided  lots,  in  the  country  as  well  as  in  the 
cities,  shall  belong  to  the  holders  of  certificates,  in  the  order  of  the  dates 
of  the  presentation  of  their  titles,  by  themselves  or  their  authorized 
agents  to  the  trustees  of  the  company. 

.^rl.  10.  The  trustees  of  the  company  shall  make  upon  the  spot,  before 
the  term  of  seven  years,  a  report  of  the  property  remaining  in  common , 


48 


The  Ntw  York  or  Chataanii  Company. 


and  iti  condition ;  of  the  imjprovementa  of  which  it  !■  tuiceptiltle,  and 
•n  eitimate  of  ita  value.  After  thia  report  tliere  aliall  he  made  a  dtviiion 
into  6000  lota,  which  ahall  be  deaignated  on  a  piun.  The  truateea  ahall 
advertiae  three  nioiitha  in  advance  of  drawing,  wliicli  ahnll  be  done  in  a 

{[eneral  aaaenibly,  by  those  only  who  almll  linve  declored  a  fortnight 
lefore  the  drawing,  that  they  wiahed  to  talie  part  in  the  same.  Thoaa 
who  do  not  make  thia  declaration,  ahall  be  deemed  to  have  oboaen  the 
continuation  and  non-diviaion  of  the  common  property. 

Jhrt.  11.  The  holders  of  certificatea,  who  remain  m  common,  ahall 
regulate  in  a  general  aaaembly  their  particular  interests,  aa  well  for  the 
care  of  landa  which  remain  with  them  aa  for  acUiug  them,  aa  they  may 
decide. 

w2r/.  13.  After  the  drawing,  the  society  ahull  no  longer  exist,  except 
among  auch  aa  do  not  take  part  in  it;  the  certificates  shall  be  furnished  to 
those  entitled,  containing  a  title  and  adjudication  of  their  lots. 

wSr<.  13.  The  aflfaira  oi  the  company  ahall  be  managed  by  truateea, 
living  in  Paria,  three  in  number,  and  by  at  leaat  two  other  truateea,  reai- 
ding  upon  the  tract.  These  different  truateea  aholl  be  in  regular  corre< 
■pondence,  and  ahall  be  choaen  by  an  abaolute  majority  of  the  general 
aaaembly.  Theae  ineetinga  ahall  be  held  in  Paris,  and  every  owner  may 
attend  and  assist  by  himself  or  by  proxy.  Each  share  shall  entitle  to 
one  vote,  yet  no  person  shall  have  more  than  five  votes,  whatever  the 
number  of  shares  he  m^y  possess. 

Art.  14.  All  the  articles  aforesaid,  are  essential  to  the  existence  of 
certificatea,  and  can  he  modified  only  in  a  general  aaaenibly,  convened 
ad  hoc  and  by  a  majority  of  two  thirda. 

SsoTioir  II.  Gowmmtni.  Jirticle  1.  Within  one  month,  there  ahall 
be  held  a  meeting  of  the  subacribers,  at  the  rooms  of  the  aaid  Sieur 
Chaaaania,  at  Paria,  No.  20,  Rue  de  la  JtuaUune,  for  the  election  of  truateea. 

Jlrt.  3.  The  trustees,  residing  in  Paris,  shall  have  the  charge  of  proving 
the  certificates,  with  the  depository,  and  of  personally  examining  each, 
to  guard  against  errors;  the  notary  shall  also  compare  them  as  received, 
and  paid,  after  which  they  shall  be  signed  by  the  said  Sieur  Chassania, 
to  be  delivered  to  the  simreholders.  Cciseqiieiitly  no  certificate  ahall 
be  iaaued  until  after  these  i  tispeotiona  and  sigii.'  ^.i-es,  and  the  subscriljera 
aball  in  the  mean  time  only  receive  a  provinional  receipt  of  deposit 

t^rt.  3.  To  guard  against  all  errors  in  distribution,  the  certiticates  shall 
be  registered  by  their  numbers,  by  Sieur  Chassanis,  upon  their  present- 
ation by  the  holders,  and  the  record  kept  in  his  office,  and  without  this 
entry,  of  which  notice  shall  be  writtec  upon  the  certificate  by  the  said 
Bieur  Chassanis,  or  by  the  one  whom  the  trustees  shall  appoint  for  the 

Eurpose,  no  hoitier  ot  certificates  shnli  be  admitted  to  the  meetings,  nor 
ave  right  to  take  Ins  chance  in  the  selection  of  bis  location. 

,^t.  i.  The  tru«>tees,  designated  for  removal  to  America,  shall  be  the 
bearers  of  the  iiiBtructions,  and  of  the  general  powers  of  the  assembly; 
ahall  survey  the  land,  decule  upon  the  location  of  the  two  cities,  and 
there  prepare  for  the  company,  within  three  months  from  their  arrival,  a 
report  of  their  examinations  uiid  labors,  with  a  detailed  plan  of  the  com- 
mon property. 

Art.  5.  trustees  shall  be  chosen  from  among  the  holders  of  certificates. 

Art.  G.  The  trustees  shall  decide  the  location  of  the  fifty  acres  which 
•hall  belong  originally  to  each  certificate,  after  which  the  holders  shall 
have  the  right  of  choice. 

Art.  7.  The  locations  shall  be  marked  upon  two  registers,  in  the  hands 
of  the  trustees  in  America,  who  shall  retain  one  and  transmit  the  other 
•■BiMUy  to  the  general  aaaembly  in  France. 


'     Chattanu  Tract — Suneyt.  41 

jfrt.  8.  The  titles  directed  to  b«  delivered  to  the  holden  of  oertifieatne, 
who  make  known  their  wiiih,  shall  contain  a  declaration  by  Bieur  Chas- 
sanis,  that  in  his  general  purchase,  there  belongs  a  certain  iiortion  to  *** 
as  his  own,  in  accordance  with  A  common  tide,  and  i  social  regulation 
of  which  he  is  a  party ;  this  declaration  shall  bear  the  number  of  th« 
certificate,  which  shall  remain  attached,  under  pain  of  forfeiture  of  th« 
action,  even  though  the  certificate  hnd  lieeii  previously  canceled,  and  this 
title  shall  not  be  complete  till  utter  the  registration  of  the  trustees  to 
whom  it  shall  be  presented. 

,M.  9.  The  trustees  in  America,  shall  lie  clothed  with  a  similar  power 
by  Sieur  Chassanis,  lor  granting  like  titles  to  those  who  require  it.  This 
power  sha!'  he  granted  after  u  model  of  the  declaration,  for  the  purpose 
of  securing  unitormity  of  registry. 

Art.  10.  All  decisions  and  acts  cf  the  company  done  in  France,  as 
relates  to  trustees,  have  no  need  of  public  formality  when  they  are  legaU 
ized  by  the  minister  or  other  public  functionary  of  the  United  States, 
residing  in  France. 

Art.  11.  There  shall  be  delivered,  upon  demand,  a  duplicate  of  title  to 
the  holders  of  certificates,  containing  a  copy  of  the  original,  and  in  it 
shall  be  mentioned  that  it  is  a  duplicate." 

The  agreement  of  Constable  and  Chassanis,  of  August  30, 
1792,  was  canceled,  and  the  tract  reconveyed  March  26,  1793, 
in  consequence  of  the  amount  falling  short,  upon  survey,  far  be- 
yond the  expectation  of  all  parties.  On  the  12th  of  April,  1793, 
Constable  conveyed  210,000  acres,  by  deed,  for  je26,000,  to 
Chassanis,*  since  known  as  The  Chassanis  Tracts  Castorlandf 
or  The  French  Company'' s  Land,  bounded  north  by  No.  IV  of 
Macomb's  Purchase,  son  h  an.!  west  by  Black  River,  and  east  by 
a  line  running  norti  ,  nine  miles,  from  a  point  near  the  High 
Falls,  and  thence  northeasterly  on  such  a  course  as  might  include 
210,000  acres. 

On  the  11th  of  April,  1797,  Chassanis  appointed  Rodolph 
Tillier,  "member  of  the  sovereign  counsel  of  Berne,"  his  attorney, 
"to  direct  and  administer  the  properties  and  affairs  concerning  Cas- 
torland,  to  follow  all  which  relates  to  the  surveying  and  subdividing 
of  this  domain,  as  well  as  to  its  improveraenl,  clearing,  and 
ameiioratiun;  to  make  the  useful  establishments;  make  all  bar- 
gains with  settlers,  artists,  and  workmen;  maki;  all  payments 
and  receipts;  give  and  take  receipts;  pass  all  title  of  property, 
to  the  profit  of  those  who  will  have  acquired  lan(h  forming  part 
of  Castorland;  to  put,  or  have  them  put  in  possession  of  the  said 
lands;  sell  of  these  lands  to  the  amount  of  ten  thousand  acres, 
either  paid  down  for,  or  on  credit,  but  in  small  parcels  of  a  hun- 
dred or  two  hundred  acres  at  most."  In  case  of  death,  Nicholas 
Olive  was  to  succeed  him.  On  the  18th  of  February,  1797,  a 
new  agreement  was  made  between  Constable  and  Tillier,  con- 
veying the  Castorland  trace  to  Chassanis,  after  the  survey  of 
William  Cockburn  &  Son,  of  Poughkeepsie,  in  1799,  and  giving 

•  Oneida  Dtedi,  3,  M. 


50 


Surveys — Incident. 


\vith  greater  detail  the  bounds  of  the  tract.  The  former  convey- 
ances made  the  north  and  east  bank  of  the  river  the  boundary, 
but  in  this  the  centre  of  the  channel  was  agreed  upon.*  On  the 
6th  of  March,  1800,  Constable  deeded  to  Chassanis,  for  one  dol- 
lar,  a  tract  of  30,000  acres  in  the  eastern  corner  of  Tract  No. 
IV,  which  was  afterwards  subdivided  into  twenty-seven  lots,  and 
conveyed  to  James  Le  Ray.f  Cockburn's  survey  divided  the 
purchase  into  six  very  unequal  tracts,  formed  by  the  intersec- 
tion of  the  principal  lines  and  the  river.  The  tract  was  subdi- 
vided by  Charles  C.  Brodhead  and  assistants,  in  1794.  John 
Cantine,  Philip  R.  Freys,  Peter  Pharoux,  and  Benoni  Newman, 
were  among  his  sun'eyors.  In  dividing  the  tract,  the  line  run- 
ning north  from  the  High  Falls  was  assumed  as  the  cardinal  line, 
from  which  ranges  were  counted  east  and  west.  An  east  and 
west  line,  crossing  the  other  nine  miles  from  the  Falls,  was  6xed 
as  a  second  cardinal,  from  which  ranges  were  reckoned  noi  and 
south.  The  ranges  extended  to  nineteen  east,  fifty-One  west, 
twenty-seven  north,  and  about  nine  south;  and  the  lots  included 
450  acres  each,  except  those  on  the  margin.  These  were  again 
subdivided  into  nine  square  lots,  of  fifty  acres  each,  which  were 
numbered  from  1  to  4,828.  This  system  of  numbering  has  since 
been  observed  in  designating  the  location  of  lands. 

Mr.  Brodhead  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  had  held  the 
rank  of  captain  in  the  Revolution.  He  was  employed  by  Tillier, 
through  the  influence  of  Edward  Livingston  and  Dr.  Oliver,  and 
while  performing  the  survey,  encountered  many  hardships.  An 
obituary  notice  published  soon  after  his  death,  which  occurred 
within  the  last  year,  at  Utica,  contains  the  following: 

"In  running  the  great  lines  of  division  his  party  had  crossed  the  Black 
River  several  times,  the  men  and  instruments  being  ferried  across.  On 
one  occasion  when  they  had  approached  the  river,  having  journeyed 
through  the  woods  without  noting  their  route  by  the  compass,  they  arrived 
at  a  part  of  the  bank  which  they  recognized,  and  knew  to  be  a  safe  place 
of  passing.  Making  a  raft  of  logs,  they  started  from  the  bank,  and  began 
to  pole  across.  When  in  the  midst  of  the  current  their  poles  failed  to 
reach  the  bottom,  and  simultaneous  with  this  discovery,  the  noise  of  the 
waters  below  them  revealed  the  horrid  fact  that  they  had  mistaken  their 
ferrying  place,  aud  were  at  the  head  and  rapidly  approaching  the  Great 
Falls  of  the  river,  the  passage  of  which  threatened  all  but  curtain  death. 
Instantly  Mr.  B.  ordered  every  man  who  could  swim  to  make  for  the 
shore,  and  he  prepared  to  swim  for  his  own  life.  But  the  piteus  appeals 
of  Mr.  Pharoux,  a  young  Frenchmaan,  of  the  party,  who  could  not  swim, 
arrested  him,  and  he  determined  to  remain  with  him  to  assist  him,  if 
possible  in  the  awful  passage  of  the  falls.  Hastily  directing  his  men  to 
grasp  firmly  to  the  logs  of  the  raft,  giving  similar  directions  to  Mr.  Pha- 
roux, he  then  laid  himself  down  by  the  side  of  his  friend.  The  rait 
passed  the  dreadful  liills  and  was  dashed  to  pieces.    Mr.  Pharoux  with 


*  Oneida  Deeds,  4,  279. 


il! 


Original  Surveys. 


m 


several  of  the  whites  and  Indians  was  drowned,  and  Mr.  Brodhead  him- 
self thrown  into  an  eddy  near  the  shore,  whence  he  was  drawn  senseless 
by  an  Indian  of  the  party."*  • 

The  surveyors  were  in  their  instructions  .directed  to  note  "  all 
kinds  of  timber,  wild  meadows,  useful  plants,  wild  fruit  trees, 
hills,  swamps,  creeks  and  objects  of  interest  generally."  The 
south  line  of  Tract  No.  IV,  was  run  by  John  Campbell  and  others, 
in  August,  1794.  At  a  very  early  period,  a  settlement  was  begun 
by  Tillier  and  others  near  the  High  Falls,  east  of  the  river,  and 
several  families  were  settled.  Several  extensive  sales  were  made 
by  Chassanis,  and  Tillier  to  Frenchmen  of  the  better  class,  who 
had  held  property  and  titles  in  France  before  the  revolution. 
Desjardine  &  Co.  bought  3002  acres  on  Point  Peninsula;  Odier 
&,  Bousquet,  1500  acres  on  Pillar  Pointj  Nicholas  Olive  (Dec. 
17,  1207t)  a  tract  of  4050  acres  north  of  Black  River  and  Bay; 
Henry  Boutin,  1000  acres  around  the  present  village  of  Carthage;  j 
C.  C.  Brodhead,  400  acres  in  the  presnt  town  of  Wilna,§  and 
others.  Among  these  were  a  conveyance  dated  March  31,  1801, 
of  1,817  half  acres  in  scattered  lots  to  twenty  or  thirty  French 
people,||  many  of  them  widows  of  persons  who  had  acquired  an 
interest  in  the  New  York  Company.  On  the  1st  of  May,  1798, 
James  Le  Ray  purchased  10,000  acres  in  Cortland,TF  and  Feb. 
15,  1801,  all  his  lands  not  previously  sold.**  Chassanis  in  his 
early  sales  had  reserved  about  600  acres' (R.  26  W.  24  and  25  N.). 
between  the  present  villages  of  Brownville  and  Dexter,  for  the 
City  of  Basle.  The  appendix  of  a  workff  printed  in  Paris  in 
1801,  contains  a  letter  relating  to  this  company  which  must  have 
been  written  by  one  familiar  with  the  country.  The  work  from 
which  we  translate,  purports  to  have  been  made  from  an  English 
manuscript  cast  ashore  on  the  coast  of  Denmark  from  the  wreck 
of  the  ship  Morning  Star,  and  fiom  its  romantic  style  it  scarcely 
merits  notice  in  history.  The  letter  is  dated  Sept.  4,  1800,  and 
is  as  follows; 

*  The  body  of  this  young  man  was  afterwards  found  on  a  small  island  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  to  which  his  name  was  given.  Mr.  J.  Le  Ray  caused 
to  be  prepared  a  marble  tablet  to  be  inserted  in  the  rocks  here,  with  the  follow- 
ing inscription: 

"  To  the  memory  of  PETER  PHAROUX,  this  Island  is  Consecrated." 

t  For  l,780-49.  Ranges  N.  27,  W.  42,  43,  and  part  of  44,  since  called  the 
Ohve  Tract.     Sec.  Office  Rec,  July   10,  1813,  C.  to  Tillier. 

t  April  2,  1798,  500  acres  for  £1000,  and  Dec.  18  1798,  500  acres.  Oneida 
Deeds,  A.  2,  p.  132.  ' 

}  lb.  Deeds  A.  p.  10,  sold  Oct.  26,  1797. 

II  Oneida  Deeds,  11,  233. 

1  lb.  Deeds  F.  249, 

**  Jeff.  Deeds  C,  p.  378. 

ft  Voyage  dans  la  haute  Pennsylvanie,  et  dans  IVtat  de  New  York,  par  iin 
membre  adcptif  de  la  nation  Oneida.  Tradait  et  publiii  par  i'auieur  des 
Lettres  d'un  CuUivateur  Amerieain,  3  vols.  ]2mo. 


^^ 


52 


Account  of  the  French  Settlement. 


"  This  northern  part  of  the  etnte  of  New  York,  which  contains  the 
three  great  districts,  known  as  Ricliland,  K^tarkouy,  and  Castorland, 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  on  the  west  by  the 
Ontario,  on  the  east  by  the  counties  of  Washington  and  Clinton,  and 
Lake  Champlain,and  on  the  south  by  the  new  cantons  of  Oswego,  Onon- 
daga, and  Herkimer,  is  traversed  nearly  its  entire  length  by  Black  River, 
which  has  45  to  50  miles  of  navigation  to  its  fells,  situated  a  short  dis- 
tance from  its  mouth,  in  the 'bay  of  Niahoui-^,  on  Lake  Ontario.  This 
river  receives  in  its  course  many  considerable  streams  and  creeks, 
abounding  in  hydraulic  privileges.  This  region  is  very  favorably  situated 
for  access.  On  the  one  side  it  communicates  with  Canada  by  the  St. 
Lawrence,  with  the  English  establishment  upon  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  as  w^M  as  those  from  Kingston,  in  the  bay  of  Katarokouy,  on  the 
other  with  Lake  Ontario,  by  the  bays  of  Niahour^,  and  Cat  Fish,  and 
lastly  with  the  Mohawk  Country,  by  a  route  just  opened  by  Richland, 
Rome,  and  Castorville.  They  have  surveyed  another  from  the  chief  place, 
(Castorville  ?)  the  first  navigable  waters  of  the  Osw^gatch^e,  at  the  con- 
fluence of  which  with  the  St  Lawrence,  Major  Ford  has  founded  a 
considerable  establishment.  Long  Lake,  the  waters  of  which  are  nearly 
parallel  with  the  Great  River,  offers  another  rouce  to  those  who  wish  to 
go  to  Ford'sbourg  and  Lower  Canada.  With  the  exception  of  the  mount- 
ains, the  soil  is  deep  and  fertile,  as  may  be  judged  by  the  height  and 
variety  of  the  trees  that  compose  the  forest,  The  country,  which  borders 
the  river  from  our  Katarakouy  to  the  line  which  sepurates  us  from  Canada, 
(the  45th  parallel)  abounds  in  oak,  a  timber  the  more  precious,  as  it  is 
rare  and  valuable  at  Montreal  and  Quebec.  In  other  sections  we  see  a 
mixture  of  elms,  button  wood,  sugar  maple,  butternut,  hickory,  beech, 
water  ash,  and  basswood.  We  also  ^nd  hemlock,  white  pine,  and  different 
kinds  of  spruce,  wild  cherry,  and  red',and  white  cedar.  From  the  boughs 
of  the  spruce  is  made  that  beer  so  praised  by  Capt.  Cook,  and  known  to  be 
the  best  of  anti  scorbutics.  The  sugar  maple  is  so  common  in  some 
sections  as  to  form  a  third  of  the  trees.  Not  only  do  we  derive  from 
thence  all  the  sugar  we  need,  but  vinegar  also  of  an  excellent  quality. 
As  is  the  case  in  all  northern  countries  this  is  filled  with  woody  marshes 
and  natural  meadows,  in  which  pasturage  is  hud  in  summer,  and  forage 
for  winter.  We  find  in  many  places  limestone,  clay,  and  ore  of  iron, 
very  ductile,  but  we  are  still  too  young  to  think  of  building  a  furnace  or 
large  forges.  It  will  not  be  so  in  ten  years ;  it  is  probable  we  shall  then 
be  in  a  condition  to  furnish  to  the  inhabitants  of  Upper  Canada,  who,  not 
having  contracts  to  assure  them  the  possession  of  their  lands,  can  not 
think  of  engaging  in  such  enterprises.  We  already  begin  to  cultivate 
corn,  wheat  flax,  and  even  hemp,  since  it  had  been  observed  to  what 
height  it  grows  on  land,  formerly  flowed  by  beaver  dams;  but  it  being 
only  the  f&urth  year  of  our  settlement,  the  details  of  our  progress  can  not 
be  very  interesting. 

An  event,  as  unfortunate  as  unexpected,  has  much  hindered  the  pros- 
perity of  this  colony.  The  death  of  a  young  man  of  much  tulent,  whom 
the  Castorland  Company  had  sent  from  Paris,  to  render  a  wild  and 
hitherto  unknown  country  flt  to  favor  the  reunion  of  a  new  born  society, 
to  divide  the  lands,  open  roads,  begin  the  first  labors,  built  bridges  and 
mills,  and  invent  machines,  where  man  is  so  rare.  A  \ictini  of  his  zeal, 
in  taking  the  level  of  a  bend  of  the  river,  he  perished  in  trying  to  cross 
above  tiie  great  falls.  Ilis  comradns,  so  unfortunate  as  not  to  be  able  to 
assist  him,  have  collected  the  details  of  this  disastrous  event  in  a  paper, 
which  I  have  been  unable  to  read  without  emotions,  and  which  I  send. 

Our  rivers  abound  in  fish,  and  our  brooks  in  trout.    I  hare  leen  two 


^1 


Account  of  the  French  Settlement. 


53 


.V 


as  it  is 


1  in  some 

M 

rive  from 

a 

t  quality. 

'1 

'  marshes 

, « 

id  forage 

M 

of  iron, 

^ 

irnace  or 

a 

ibali  then 

1 

who,  not 

! 

1,  can  not 

1 

cultivate 

$ 

to  what 

it  being 

; 

1  can  not 

ff 

society, 

Iges  and 

bis  zeal, 

to  cross 

able  to 

paper, 

send. 

>en  two 


men  take  72  in  a  day.  Of  all  the  colonies  of  beavers,  which  inhabited 
this  country  and  raised  so  many  dams,  only  a  few  scattering  families 
remain.  We  have  destroyed  these  communities,  images  of  happiness, 
in  whose  midst  reigned  the  most  perfect  order,  peace,  and  v'isdom,fore- 
sight  and  industry.  Wolves,  more  cunning  and  warlike  th'„.  the  former, 
live  at  our  expense  and  as  yet  escape  our  deadly  lead.  It  is  the  same  with 
the  original  elk.  It  is  only  seen  in  this  part  of  the  state,  for  our  hunters 
will  soon  make  it  disappear,  for,  you  kno*".  that,  wherever  man  esta-  , 
Wishes  himself,  this  tyrant  must  reign  ak  -  Among  the  birds  we  have 
the  pheasant,  drumming  partridge,  wild  |  e,^on,  different  kinds  of  ducks, 
geese,'  and  wild  turkey,  &c.  Our  chief  place,  situated  o;.  the  banks  of  the 
pretty  Beaver  River,  and  from  thence  so  appropriately  named  Castorville, 
begins  to  grow.  It  is  still  only,  as  you  may  justly  think,  but  a  cluster  of 
primitive  dwellings,  but  still  it  contains  several  families  of  mechanics,  of 
which  new  colonies  have  so  frequent  need.  Several  stores,  situated  in 
favorable  places,  begin  to  have  business.  The  Canadians,  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  come  thither  to  buy  the  goods  which  they  need,  as 
well  as  sugar  and  rum,  which,  from  the  duties  being  less  at  our  ports 
than  at  Quebec,  are  cheaper  with  us  than  with  them.  The  vicisity  of 
these  French  settlements  are  very  useful  to  us,  in  mony  respects.  Cattle 
n<  per  than  with  us,  as  well  as  manual  labor.    Such  are  the  causes 

o  •  lunication  between  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  sides,  that  it  is 

if.     <  .,ie  for  the  English  government  to  prevent  it. 

Our  colonists  are,  like  others,  a  mixture  of  many  nations;  we  have 
some,  families  of  Scotch  and  Irish,  but  the  greater  number  come  from 
the  northern  states,  which,  as  you  know,  is  the  "officina  humani  generis" 
of  this  continent.  Many  of  the  settlers  have  already  made  considerable 
improvemen' ;.  One  of  these  fami'I<$s  from  Philadelphia,  besides  a  hun- 
dred acres  well  enclosed,  has  begun  a  manufacture  of  potash,  where  the 
ashes  of  the  neighborhood  are  leached ;  another  of  the  Quaker  sect  has 
settled  on  fhe  route  to  Kingston,  where  he  has  already  built  a  saw  mill, 
and  a  considerable  manufactory  of  maple  sugar,  where  he  made  last  year 
about  16  quintals.  The  head  of  this  family  is  a  model  of  intelligence 
and  industry;  the  goods  which  he  brought,  easily  pror*ured  him  much 
labor  at  a  good  rate.  He  paid  twelve  dollars  per  acre  for  clearing  his 
lands  and  half  the  ashes  f  besides  this  he  furnished  to  the  potash 
makers  the  great  iron  chaldrons  and  hand  labor,  and  retains  half  of  the 
salts,  the  value  of  which,  with  the  first  crop  of  wheat,  pays  and  more 
all  the  expenses  of  clearing,  fencing,  and  harvesting.  The  average  yield 
per  acre,  being  24  to  28  bushels,  and  the  price  of  wheat  6  to  8  shillings. 
It  is  easy  to  see  that  there  is  still  a  margin  to  cover  accidents,  and  that 
the  second  crop  is  clear  profit.  Among  tliese  families  we  have  some, 
who,  driven  from  their  country,  by  fear  and  tyranny,  have  sournt  in  this 
an  asylum  of  peace  and  liberty,  rather  than  wealth,  and  at  least  of  security 
and  of  sweet  repose.  One  of  these,  established  on  the  banks  of  Rose 
Creek,  came  from  St  Domingo,  where  he  owned  a  considerable  plantation, 
and  has  evinced  a  degree  of  perseverance,  worthy  of  admiration.  One 
of  the  proprietors^  has  a  daughter,  as  interesting  by  her  figure  as  by  her 
industry,  who  adds  at  the  same  time  to  the  economy  of  the  household, 
the  charms  or  rather  the  happiness  of  their  life.  Another  yet  is  an  officer, 
of  cultivated  mind,  sprightly,  and  origin ;  who,  born  in  the  burning 
climate  of  India,  here  his  health  is  strengthened.    He  superintends  the 

'*  An  acre  commonly  yields  200  bushels  of  ashes,  which  are  worth  8  cents 
the  bushel, 
t   St.  Mitchel*    His  daughter  married  MaraeUe,  and  afterwards  Se  Zotelie. 


»4 


Account  of  the  French  Settlement. 


clearing  of  a  tract  of  1300  acres,  which  two  sisters,  French  ladies,  have 
entrusted  to  him,  and  to  which  he  lias  given  the  n"me  of  Siater'a  Grove. 
Ho  has  already  cleared  more  than  100  acres,  erected  a  durable  house, 
md  enclosed  a  garden,  in  which  he  labors  with  assiduity,  truly  edifying. 
:le  has  two  Canadians,  of  whom  their  ancestors  were  originally  from  the 
same  province  with  himself.  Far  from  his  country,  the  most  trifling 
events  become  at  times  a  cause  of  fellow  feeling,  of  which  those  who 
have  never  felt  it,  can  have  no  idea.  As  for  cattle,  those  raised  that  only 
bring  $9  a  pair,  nt  the  end  of  the  year,  are  worth  $70  when  they  are  four 
years  old.  Fat  cattle,  which  commonly  weigh  7  to  900  lbs.,  sell  at  therate 
of  $5  per  hundred.  Swine  living  almost  always  in  the  woods,  the  settler 
can  have  as  many  as  he  can  fatten  in  the  fall.  It  should  not  be  omitted 
-to  give  them  from  time  to  time  an  ear  of  corn  each,  to  attach  them  to  the 
clearing,  and  prevent  them  from  becoming  wild,  for  then  there  is  no 
mastering  their  wills,  for  they  pining  for  their  wandering  life  will  not 
fatten  on  whatever  is  given  them.  Butter  is  as  dear  with  us  as  in  old 
settled  countries,  and  sella  for  a  shilling  a  pound.  We  have  no  fear, 
as  some  think,  that  the  vicinity  of  the  Canadian  establishments  will 
withdraw  our  snttlers.  The  lands  in  Canada  are  all  in  the  hands  of 
Government  of  the  Seigneurs.  Both  give  gratuitously,  I  admit,  but  they 
give  no  titles,*  from  whence  numerous  difficulties  arise  in  selling  and 
transferring.  Besides  they  are  burdened  with  a  considerable  quit  rent, 
the  fees  of  transfer  and  removal,  of  escheats  to  the  domain  in  default  of 
heirs,  of  banaliU,^  tithes,  or  reservations  for  religion,  and  reserves  of 
mines,  and  oak  timber,  restrictions,  unknown  in  the  United  States, 
where  the  lands  are  franchises  and  freeholds.  It  is  therefore  probable, 
that  sensible  settlers  will  alwayt-  prefer  to  so  precarious  an  advantage,  a 
sure  possession  which  can  L  j  transferred  without  fees  or  formalities. 

This  country  being  boimded  by  the  St  Lawrence  and  the  Ontario,  its 
population  will  increase  more  rapidly  than  that  where  men  can  spread 
themselves  ad  infinitum,  as  in  certain  districts  of  Pennsylvania,  upon 
the  Oiiio,  Wabash,  &c.  What  is  here  called  the  American  Katarokouy, 
or  I,  II,  III  and  IV  of  Macomb's  great  purchase,  will  always  be  the 
last  stage,  the  Ultima  Thule,  of  this  part  of  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
we  ourselves,  the  last  but  one  round  of  the  ladder.  On  this  account, 
lands,  which  in  1792  were  valued  at  from  $2  to  $3  per  acre,  have  now 
become  from  $3  to  $4. 

The  banks  of  our  great  river  are  not  the  only  ones  where  our  popula- 
tion tends,  r  Already  those  of  Swan's  Creek  begin  to  fill  up.  Wero  it  not 
for  the  death  of  Mr.  P.  vie  should  have  been  much  more  advanced,  for 
it  was  necessary  to  await  the  arrival  of  another  engineer  to  complete  the 
great  surveys  and  subdivisions.  Our  winters  are  cold,  but  less  than 
those  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the  snows  of  this  climate  are  beneficial 
in  preventing  the  frost  from  injuring  our  grass  and  wheat.  It  is  truly 
wonderful  to  see  with  what  rapidity  vegetation  is  developed  a  few  days 
after  the  snows  are  melted.  I  have  placed  your  habitation  not  far  from 
the  great  falls,  but  far  enough  distant  uot  to  be  incommoded  by  thb 
noise,  or  rather  uproar,  which  they  make  in  falling  three  different  stages. 
The  picturesque  view  of  the  chain  of  rocks  over  which  the  waters 
plimge  their  tumultuous  commotion,  the  natural  meadows  in  the  vicinity, 
the  noble  forests  which  bound  the  horizon ;  the  establishments  on  the 
opposite  bank;  the  passage  of  travellers  who  arrive  at  the  ferry  I  have 
formed,  all  contribute  to  render  the  location  very  interesting,  and  it  will 

*  This  applies  only  to  Lower  Canada. 

t  I'he  right  of  obliging  a  vassal  to  bake  in  one's  oven  and  grind  at  his  mill. 


Survey  of  Great  Tract  No.  IV. 


l)ecotne  more  so  when  cuitivation,  industry,  and  time,  shall  have  embel- 
ished  this  district,  still  so  rustic  and  wild,  and  so  far  from  resembling 
the  groves  of  Thessalin.  The  house  is  solid  and  commodious,  the 
garden  and  farm  yards  well  enclosed. 

I  have  placed  a  French  family  over  the  store  and  am  well  pleased  with 
them.  I  think,  however,  they  will  return  to  France  where  die  ueyv 
governm^..t  has  at  length  banished  injustice,  violence  and  crime,  and 
replaced  them  by  the  reign  of  reason,  clemency  and  law.  The  fishery  of 
the  great  lake  (Ontario)  in  which  I  am  conceited,  furnishes  me  an 
abundance  of  shad,*  salmon,  and  herring,  and  more  than  I  want.  What 
more  can  I  say?  I  want  nothing  but  hands.  You  who  live  in  a  country 
where  there  are  so  many  useless  hands  and  whose  labors  are  so  little 
productive  there,  why  don't  you  send  as  some  hundreds  of  those  men  ? 
The  void  they  would  occasion  would  be  imperceptible ;  here  they  would 
fill  spaces  that  need  to  be  animated  and  enlivened  by  their  presence. 
What  conquest  would  they  not  achieve  '  •  an  years !  and  what  a  differ- 
ence in  their  lot!  Soon  they  would  become  freeholders  and  respectable 
heads  of  families.  The  other  day  a  young  Frenchman,  my  neighbor 
seven  miles  distant,  and  established  some  years  upon  the  bank  of  the 
river,  said  to  me :  "  If  it  is  happy  to  enjoy  repose,  the  fruit  of  one's 
labors  and  of  ease  after  having  escaped  the  perils  of  the  revolution,  how 
n'uch  more  so  to  have  a  partner  of  these  enjoyments?  I  am  expecting 
a  friend,  a  brother ;  it  is  one  of  those  blessings  which  nature  alone  can 
bestow.  What  pleasure  shall  I  not  enjoy  in  poinfing  out  to  him  the 
traces  of  my  first  labors  and  in  making  him  count  the  successive  epochs 
of  their  progress  and  the  stages  of  my  prosperity!  but  above  all  to  prove 
to  him  that  his  memory  has  been  ever  present  to  me.  The  objects 
which  surround  me  I  will  tell  him  nre  witnesses  to  the  truth  of  this: 
this  hill  upon  the  right,  covered  with  sombre  pines,  is  designated  upon 
my  map  under  the  name  of  Hippolites  Absence,  the  creek  which  tra- 
verses my  meadow  under  that  of  Brothers  Creek,  the  old  cak  which  I 
have  le(t  standing  at  the  forks  of  the  two  roads,  one  of  which  leads  to 
my  bouse  and  the  other  to  the  river  Union  Creek,\  the  place  of  my 
house  Blooming  Slope.  Soon  he  will  arrive  from  St.  Domingo,  where 
Toussant  L'Ouverture  has  allowed  him  to  collect  some  wreck  of  our 
fortune." 

On  the  27th  of  March  1800,  Tillier  was  succeeded  in  the 
agency  by  Gouverneur  Morris  who  appointed  Richard  Coxe, 
Nov.  I3th,  1801,  his  attorney.  On  the  6th  of  Feb.  1802,  Chas- 
sanis  executed  a  trust  conveyance  for  $1  to  James  D.  LeRay  oi 
220,600  acres  as  surveyed  by  Wm.  Cockburn  and  Son,  and  by 
other  instruments  for  nominal  sums.|  The  lands  were  mostly  sold 
to  iictual  settlers  by  Mr.  LeRay  as  agent  or  principal  but  the 
c?etails  would  be  unintelligible  without  a  map.  Chassanis  died 
in  Paris  Nov.  28, 1803.  David  B.  Ogden,  G.  Morris§  and  many 
others  were  at  an  early  period  concerned  in  these  titles. 

Macomb's  Tract  No.  IV  was  surveyed  by  C.  C  Brodhead  in 
1796,  assisted  by  Jonas  Smith,  Timothy  Wheelor,  Joshua  Nor- 
throp, Elias  Marvin,  John  Young,  Isaac  Le  Fever,  Jocob  Cham- 


*  White  Fish?  F.  B.  H. 

t  An  apparent  omission  in  the  original  MSS.       F,  B.  H. 

t  Oneida  Deeds  9.  517  to  525.  {  Jeff.  R. 


253. 


i 


The  Antwerp  Company**  Purchase. 


bers.  Elijah  Blake,  Samuel  Tupper,  Eliakim  Hammond,  and 
Abraham  B.  Smede,  each  with  a  few  men  as  assistants,  and  the 
who!  i  having  a  general  camp  or  rendezvous  at  Hungiy  Bay,  on 
the  north  side  of  Pillar  Point  at  a  place  called  Peck's  Gove  near 
where  the  Chassanis  line  crosses  the  bay.  The  early  settlers  here 
found  huts  standing,  and  the  remains  of  an  old  oven  are  still 
visible.  The  journals  of  these  surveyors,  show  that  they  suffered 
much  from  sicltness.  Some  of  their  supplies  were  derived  from 
Canada,  but  the  most  from  the  Mohawk  settlements.  A  few 
troops  were  stationed  on  Carlton  Island,  and  thither  some  of  their 
sick  were  sent.  This  tract,  excepting  the  east  corner  conveyed 
to  Chassanis,  was  divided  into  1000  lots  of  440  acres  each  Tex- 
cepting  those  around  the  border),  which  were  numbered  continu- 
ously. Evert  Van  Allen,  had  been  employed  in  1795,  in  survey- 
ing the  boundaries  of  tract  No.  IV. 

A  proposition  was  entertained  from  Lord  Poultney,  in  1792, 
for  the  purchase  of  a  million  of  acres  of  Black  River  land,  at  a 
quarter  of  a  dollar  per  acre,  of  which  j£5000  were  to  be  paid 
down,  j£20,000  in  one,  and  the  same  in  two  years,  and  the  re- 
mainder as  soon  as  the  surveys  were  made.  Constable  was  to 
guaranty  against  claims  from  the  native  Indians,  and  all  other 
parties,  and  to  give  immediate  possession.  The  location  was  to 
be  determined  by  Col.  Wm.  Stephens  Smith  of  New  York.  This 
bargain  failed,  and  Poultney  afterwards  became  largely  concern- 
ed in  lands  in  the  Genesee  Country.  On  the  3d  of  October, 
1792,  J^ne,  the  wife  of  A.  Macomb,  released  her  right  to  the 
lands  previously  conveyed.*  On  the  12th  of  April,  1793,  Con- 
stable sold  in  London,  with  the  consent  of  Chassanis,  who  had 
previously  held  a  preemption  claim,  to  Charles  Michael  De 
Wolf  of  the  city  of  Antwerp,  tract  No.  IV,  for  300,000  florins, 
money  of  exchange,!  and  in  June  following,  of  the  same  year, 
De  Wolf  succeeded  in  negotiating  his  purchase  at  a  great  ad- 
vance, viz:  for  680,000  florins,  to  a  company  of  large  and 
small  capitalists,  of  the  city  of  Antwerp,  who  subscribed  to  the 
stock  in  shares  of  1000  florins  each,  and  organized  under  the 
name  of  the  .Antwerp  Company.  The  stock  was  divided 
into  680  shares.  Like  most  other  operations  of  foreigners  in  a 
distant  country,  this  company  eventually  proved  unsuccessful, 
and  a  loss  to  the  stockholders.  Gouverneur  Morris  became 
their  first  agent  in  America,  and  on  the  2d  of  January,  1800,  a 
deed  of  half  the  tract,  or  220,000  acrcs,|  passed  to  him  from 
Constable  on  account  of  the  company,  for  $48,889,  and  on  the 
day  following  the  other  half,  of  equal  extent,  for  $46,3 15' 12  to 


*  Se|OfRce  Deedi  39,  p.  332. 
t  Oneida  Office  Deeds  7,  p  612. 


t  Equal  to  $129,386. 


Conveyances  by  Le  Ray. 


57 


James  Donatianus  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont.  Tract  No.  IV  was 
found  by  Van  Allen's  survey,  to  contain  450,000  acres,  including 
the  state  reservations.  A  former  deed  from  Constable  to  De 
Wolf,  was  canceled  upon  Ihe  new  one's  being  made.  The 
division  line  between  Morris's  and  Le  Ray's  conveyances  com- 
menced at  the  N.  E.  corner  of  Penet's  Square,  and  run  on  a  line 
parallel  with  the  county  line,  to  the  soutn  line  of  No.  IV.  Mor- 
ris took  all  N.  E.  of  this,  and  Le  Ray  the  remainder.  August 
15th,  1802,  a  new  division  line*  was  agreed  upon,  commencing 
near  the  S.  E.  corner  of  Penet's  Square,  running  thence  to  the  S. 
corner  of  lot  612,  thence  to  the  W.  corner  of  the  present  town 
of  Antwerp,  and  along  the  S.  W.  line  of  that  town  to  the  S. 
corner  of  lot  337,  and  thence  to  the  S.  line  of  No.  IV.  A  tract 
of  30,000  acres  in  the  E.  corner  of  No.  IV  was  not  included  in 
these  conveyances  having  been  sold  to  Chassanis.  In  1809, 
Morris  retired  from  the  business,  his  expenses  and  commissions 
absorbing  26,840  acres  of  land.  On  the  23d  of  December, 
1804,  he  had  sold  for  $62,000  to  Lewis  R.  Morris,  49,280  acres 
in  the  present  town  of  Antwerp.f  Mr.  Morris  subsequently  con- 
veyed 41  lots  to  Silvinus  Hoard  in  the  western  part  of  Antwerp,| 
adjoining  Theresa,  and  since  known  as  the  Cooper  Tract. 
Abraham  Cooper,  from  Trenton,  N.  Y.,  became  interested  in 
this  tract  in  1817.§  The  remainder  of  Antwerp,  excepting 
three  ranges  of  lots  on  the  S.  E.  side,  was  purchased  of  Morris, 
by  David  Parish,  in  1808.  The  tract  amounted  to  29,033  acres, 
and  has  been  settled  under  agents  of  the  Parish  estate.  Moss 
Kent  succeeded  as  agent  of  the  Antwerp  Company,  and  June 
15th,  1809,  the  remainder  of  their  unsold  lands,  143,440  acres,|| 
were  conveyed  to  him.  He  was  soon  succeedeil  by  Mr.  Le  Ray, 
and  September  17th,  1810,  the  company  sold  to  him  for  145,000 
florins,  money  of  exchange,  all  their  interests  in  lands  in 
America.  The  lands  with  Moss  Kent  were  reconveyed  to  Le 
Ray,  June  24th,  1817,11  except  3250  acres  sold  to  Wm.  H. 
Harrison  and  T.  L.  Ogden  in  Lewis  Co.,  December  16th,  1811. 
Mr.  Le  Ray  is  said  to  have  been  the  owner  of  126  shares  in 
the  Antwerp  Company,  and  G.  Morris  of  26.  The  former  having 
acquired  a  title  to  No.  IV,  and  the  Chassanis  tract,  removed  ;  d 
Le  Raysville,  where  he  opened  a  land  office  and  proceeded  to 
sell  land  to  actual  settlers,  to  a  very  large  extent.  He  also 
effected  with  several  Europeans,  sales  of  considerable  tracts, 
among  whom  were  to  Louis  Augustin  De  Caulincourt,  due  de 

*  Oneida  deeds  b.  10,  p.  464.     Jefierson  deeds  A,  p.  358. 
t  Jefferson  deeds  C,  p.  63.     J  lb.  L,  153.     §  lb.  L,  68, 
II  Comprising  3  ranges  of  lots  (ex.  772)  on  E.  side  of  Antwerp,  and  all  the 
company's  land  in  Diana.     Jefferson  deeds,  rec.  Nov.  1,  1809. 
IF  Jefferson  deeds,  rec,  Aug.  13,  1817. 
6 


58 


Purchase  of  Count  SurviUiers. 


Vi licence,  October  8lh,  1805,  a  tract  of  4,840  acres  near  Mil- 
len's  Bay,  being  1 1  lots  which  were  conveyed  January  28th, 
1825,  to  Peter  Francis  Real,  known  as  Count  Real,  chief  of 
police  under  Ntipolen;  to  Emanuel  Count  De  Grouchy,  to 
Gent-ral  Desf'urneaux  and  toothers,  considerable  tracts.  Several 
citizens  of  New  York  became  uflerwards  concerned  In  these 
tracis,  on  their  own  account,  or  as  agents,  and  extensive  convey- 
ances were  made;  but  as  many  of  these  were  trusts  not  expressed, 
and  referred  to  considerations  not  explained  in  the  instruments 
of  conveyance,  or  on  record,  an  intelligent  history  of  them  can 
not  be  at  this  time  obtained,  with  sufficient  conciseness  for  pub- 
lication, should  they  be  deemed  of  sufficient  general  interest. 
Among  the  lands  conveyti;  were  the  followir)g: 

To  William  and  Gerardus  Post,  June  3d,  1825,  for  $17,000, 
11,880  acres  (with  3503  acres  excepted)  in  the  p-?sent  towns  of 
Wilna  and  Diana;*  6,500  acres  were  conveyed  by  one,  and  the 
ex'rs  of  the  other  of  these,  to  T.  S.  Hammond  of  Cai  thage,  Oct. 
2,  1837,  by  two  deeds  for  $18,000.f  To  Herman  Le  Roy,  and 
Wm.  Bayard,  for  $50,000,  February  9,  1820,  the  interest  of  J. 
Le  Ray,  in  numerous  contracts  to  settlers  on  Great  Tract  No.  1V.| 

To  Francis  Depau  for  $23,280,  and,  $15,000  by  two  con- 
veyances, a  large  tract  in  Alexandria,  adjoining  St.  Lawrence 
County ,§  now  held  by  L.  J.  Goodale  of  Watertown. 

To  Cornelia  Juhel,  October  9th,  1821,  numerous  lots,1T  and 
to  many  others,  which  without  a  map  would  be  unintelligible. 

In  1818,  Joseph  Bonaparte,  who  in  the  United  States  assumed 
the  title  of  Count  de  Survilliers,  was  induced  to  enter  into  a 
bargain  with  Le  Ray,  by  which  he  agreed  to  receive  in  trust, 
with  a  warranty,  the  conveyance  of  150,000  acres  of  land,  in- 
clud"  ig  74,624  acres  of  the  Antwerp  Company  lands,  to  be 
taken  in  the  most  remote  and  unsettled  portions,  and  at  the  same 
time  Mr.  Le  Ray  received  certain  diamonds  and  real  estate,  the 
whole  rated  at  $120,000,  and  to  be  refunded  in  1830,  unless  he 
should  agree  to  accent  Lcfore  that  time,  the  title  of  a  part  of 
these  lands.  A  trust  deed,  with  covenant  and  warranty,  was 
accordingly  passed^  December  21, 1818,  to  Peter  S.  Duponceau,|| 
the  confidential  agent  of  the  count,  for*  150,260  acres  with  the 
exception  of  such  tracts  not  exceeding  32,260  acres  as  might  have 
been  conveyed  or  contracted  to  actual  settlers.  This  deed  in- 
cluded the  greater  part  of  Diana,  two  tiers  of  lots  from  the  S.  E. 
side  of  Antwerp,  the  whole  of  Wilna  and  Philadelphia,  a  small 
piece  south  of  Black  River,  where  it  makes  a  node  across  the 

*  Jefferson  deeds,  X.  108.  t  lb.  B.  3,  p.  311. 

tlb.  0.  p.  37.  §  lb.  O.  p.  209,  211. 

U  Jeff,  mortgages  A,  626,  deeds  N,  p.  1.    t  lb.  Q.  p.  383. 


Cofweyancea  hy'Le  Ray. 


59 


Cbassanis  line  into  No.  IV,  a  tract  of  four  lots  wide  and  seven 
long  from  Le  Ray,  and  nine  lots  from  the  easterly  range  in 
Tlieresa.  It  was  recorded  with  a  defeasance  appended,  in  which 
it  is  declared  a  security  for  $120,000  as  above  staled,  and  it 
provided  for  an  auction  sale  of  lands,  to  meet  this  obligation* 
Diamonds  having  fallen  to  half  their  former  price,  the  iact  was 
made  a  subject  of  complaint;  and  in  J8'20,  the  count  agreed  to 
accept  26,840  acres  for  the  nominal  sum  of  $40,260.  These  lands 
lay  in  the  most  remote  portion  of  No.  IV,  and  Mr.  Le  Ray,  in  a 
letter  to  one  of  the  Antwerp  Company,  dated  April  9lh,  1821, 
complimented  the  count  upon  his  taste  in  selecting  a  "tract 
abounding  with  picturesque  Ir.ndscapes,  whose  remote  and  ex- 
tensive forests,  affording  retreat  to  game,  would  enable  him  to 
establish  a  great  hunting  ground;  qualities  of  soil,  and  fitness 
for  settlers  were  only  secondary  considerations.  *  *  *  He  regrets 
notwithstanding  that  thus  far  he  has  been  unable  to  find  among 
the  26,000  acres  of  land,  a  plateau  of  200  acres  of  land  to  build 
his  house  upon,  but  he  intends  keeping  up  his  researches  this 
summer."  The  count  subsequently  commenced  an  establishment 
near  the  present  village  of  Alpina  in  Diana,  where  a  small 
clearing  was  made,  but  this  was  soon  abandoned. 

On  the  29th  of  October  1823,  Le  Ray  conveyed  to  Wm.  H. 
Harrison,  in  trust  for  the  Antwerp  Company,  for  $50,000,  two 
ranges  oflols  in  Antwerp  next  to  Lewis  County, subject  to  the  mort- 
gage to  Duponceau  with  a  large  amount  of  lands  in  Lewis  County. 
Meanwhile  an  act  was  procured  Nov.  27  1824,  allowing  Charles 
Joseph  Xavier  Knyff,  Charles  Joseph  Geelhand  Delafaille,  Jean 
Joseph  Reinier  Osy,  Pierre  Joseph  De  Caters,  and  Jean  Joseph 
Pinson,  as  trustees  of  the  Antwerp  Company,  to  take  and  hold 
lands,  and  to  them  Harrison  conveyed  the  above  tracts.  Du- 
ponceau and  Bonaparte  subsequently  released  a  large  tract,f 
and  took  a  title  of  81^180  acres.|  The  history  of  these  trans- 
actions may  be  traced  in  the  recorded  conveyances.^  James  Le 
Ray,  on  the  31st  of  Dec.  1823,||  conveyed  to  his  son  Vincent, 
all  his  lands  in  Jefferson  County,  and  by  a  similar  conveyance, 
his  lands  ir.  Lewis  County.lT  for  the  benefit  of  his  creditors. 

Duponceau  txecutcJ  July  16, 1826,  to  Joseph  Bonaparte,  (who 
by  an  act  of  Mhich  31  1825,  had  been  empowered  to  hold  lands), 
a  deed  of  all  the  rights  he  had  required  in  the  above  conveyances.** 
Bonaparte  by  an  instrument  dated  July  14  1832,  made  Joseph 
Raphineau  his  attorney,  to  deed  lands  contracted   by  Joseph 

*  Lewis  clerk'8  office.  t  Jeff.  Deeds,  V,  434.  June  S2  1825. 

t  Jeff.  Deeds,  W,  174.  $  lb  recorded  Nov.  7,  184.5. 

II  lb  T,  305.  ^  Lewis  Co.  Deeds  rec.  April  13,  1824. 

**  Jeff.  Deeds,  W,  181,  Lewis  Deeds,  1, 16. 


60 


Subsequent  Sdea  in  Tract  IF. 


Boyer  his  land  agent.*  In  June  1835,  he  sold  to  John  La  Farff«,t 
for  $80,000  all  the  interest  of  Count  Survilliers,  in  lands  in  tnis, 
and  Lewis  Counties. 

It  has  been  said  with  much  probability,  that  Count  Survilliers 
hastened  to  dispose  of  this  estate,  that  he  mieht  be  the  better 
prepared  to  take  advantage  of  any  fortune  which  the  revolutions 
of  Europe  might  turn  up,  and  the  political  aspect  of  the 
continent  at  that  lime,  apparently  favored  the  hopes  of  the 
Bonaparte  family  who  have  but  recently  regained  the  scep- 
tre of  France,  The  Count  first  urged  the  sale  upon  Judge  Boyer, 
his  agent,  and  came  within  a  few  thousand  dollars  of  closing  a 
bargain.  Mr.  La  Farge,  is  said  to  have  cleared  a  large  profit 
in  this  purchase. 

In  October  1824,  the  Antwerp  Company  appointed  J.  N.  Rot- 
tiers,  their  agent,  to  receive  and  convey  lands,  and  he  was 
directed  by  parties  interested  in  claims,  to  commence  a  prosecution 
against  Le  Kay,  which  was  done.  The  extreme  depression  in 
the  price  of  land  and  total  stop  of  sales  which  followed  the 
completion  of  the  Erie  Canal  and  the  opening  of  the  westejn 
Stales  to  emigration,  operated  disastrously  to  all  parties  who  had 
based  their  plans  upon  expectation  of  receipts  from  land  sales; 
and  notwithstanding  the  estates  of  Mr.  Le  Ray  were  both  ex- 
tensive and  valuable,  he  could  not  at  that  time  encounter  the 
combination  of  circumstances  which  bore  so  heavily  upon  ali 
landholders  throughout  the  northern  counties,  and  he  found  him- 
self compelled  to  apply  for  the  benefit  of  the  insolvent  act,  and 
1o  surrender  his  estates  to  his  son,  in  trust  for  his  creditors.  As 
a  justification  of  his  course,  he  published  for  distribution  among 
his  foreign  creditors  a  statement,!  in  which  he  vindicated  in  a 
satisfactory  manner  the  course  he  had  adopted,  and  set  forth  the 
kind  and  quantity  of  property  at  his  disposal  to  meet  his  liabili- 
ties. He  had  at  that  time  the  following  lands  in  this  state: 
In  Franklin  county,  30,758  acres,  valued  at  $22,500 
"  St.  Lawrence  "     73,947      «  "         106,000 

"  Jeflferson  "  143,500      "  "         574,000 

"  Lewis  "  100,000      «  "         133,000 

Of  his  Jefferson  lands,  one-eighth  were  subject  to  contracts  of 
settlers,  upon  which  were  three  grist  mills,  three  saw  mills, 
and  various  clearings,  with  buildings.  At  Le  Raysville,  were  a 
grist  mill,  store  houses,  &c.,  valued  at  $26,000,  and  in  Pennsylva- 
nia,Otsego  County,  and  in  France  other  properties  of  large  amount. 
In  closing  up  this  business,  a  large  amount  of  land  was  confirmed 

*  Jeff.  Deeds,  rec.  Feb.U,  1833. 
t  Jeff.  Deeds  U,  2,  43. 

i  Acte  de  Transmission,  par.  M.  LeRayde  Chaumont,  aionfila  dewi 
propTi6tes,  ^c,  4to,  Paris,  pp.  70. 


,'4 


Landt  SoiUh  qf  Black  River. 


m 


>ionfiU  deMt 


to  Vincent  Le  Ray,  and  the  settlement  of  the  affairs  was  so  man- 
aged as  to  satisfy  in  full,  the  claims  of  American  creditors.  Our 
account  of  these  transactions  has  been  necessarily  brief  and  im- 
perfect, yet  the  attention  we  have  given  it,  has  convinced  us 
that  there  is  nothing  in  the  matter  but  that  will  bear  the  closest 
examination. 

A  considerable  amount  of  the  Antwerp  Company's  lands,  re- 
maining in  scattered  parceb,  was  sold  in  1828,  by  the  agent  to 
John  La  Farge,  but  tnis  sale  was  subsequently  set  aside  by  the 
court  of  chancery,*  and  Feb.  15.  1836,  24,230  acres,  being  most 
of  the  remaining  lands  of  the  company,  and  situated  in  Theresa, 
Antwerp,  Alexandria  and  Orleans,  were  sold  to  Samuel  Stock- 
ing, of  Utica,  and  Norris  M.  Woodruff,  of  Waterlown,  for  $1 
per  acre.f  Wm.  H.  Harrison  acted  in  the  latter  sale  as  the  agent 
of  the  company,  and  the  tract  has  been  nearly  all  sold  off  by  Jason 
Clark,  Esq.,  of  Plessis,  agent  of  the  proprietors. 

Mr.  La  Farge,  on  the  28th  of  July,  1846,  sold  to  Chas.  L. 

Faverger,  for  $48,513,  a  tract  embracing  the  two  eastern  ranges 

I  of  lots  in  Antwerp,  and  122  lots  in  Diana,  excepting  parts  pre- 

1  viously  conveyed,  amounting  to  48,513  acres,|  and  a  great  por- 

i  tion  has  since  been  sold  in  large  and  small  tracts  to  settlers. 

There  is  at  this  time  but  a  comparatively  small  part  of  Great 

Tract  No.  IV,  in  this  county,  but  that  is  under  cultivation,  and 

held  as  freeholds  by  the  occupants.    Dr.  John  Binsse,  of  Pamelia, 

is  the  present  agent  of  La  Farge. 

Wm.  Constable,  on  the  18th  of  Dec.  1792,  conveyed  to  Samuel 
Ward,  for  ^100,000,  1,280,000  acres,  it  being  the  whole  of  Ma- 
I'comb's  Purchase,  in  Nos.  V,  and  VI,  out  of  which  was  except- 
ed 25,000  acres  sold  to  Wm.  Inman.^  Samuel  Ward,  Dec.  20, 
1792,  conveyed  to  Thomas  Boylston  (of  Boston)  for  je20,000,  a 
tract,Jcommencing  at  the  extreme  southern  angle  of  Lewis  County 
I  as  now  bounded;  running  thence  to  the  mouth  of  Salmon  River, 
*  and  along  the  lake  to  Black  River,  and  up  that  stream  to  the 
north  bounds  of  the  present  town  of  Leyden,  and  thence  to  the 
place  of  beginninglT  the  course  of  Black  River  was  then  supposed 
to  be  nearly  direct,  from  the  High  Falls  to  the  lake,  and  this 
tract  was  believed  to  contain  about  400,000  acres,  but  when  sur- 
veyed around  by  Wm.  Cockburn  &  Son,  1794,  it  was  found  to 
include8J7,155  acres!  Ward  also  sold  210,000  acres  to  John  Ju- 
lius Angerstein,  a  wealthy  merchant  of  London,  which,  the  latter 
afterwards  sold  to  Gov.  John  Brown,  of  Providence,  R.  L,  and 
which  has  since  been  commonly  called  Brown's  Tract,  and  is  yet 

«  Paige's  Chnncery  Reports,  1,  p.  574,  where  a  rehearal  is  declined, 
t  Jefferson  Dee<l8,  Z  8,  p,  455.  t  Jeff.  Co.  Deeds,  81.  p.  538. 

i  Sec.  ofBce  Deeds  39,  p.  6.  %  lb.  39,  p.  15. 


6^ 


Titlet  South  of  Black  River. 


mostly  a  wilderness.  He  also  sold  60,000,  and  26,000  acres  to 
Wm-  Innian,  who  afterwards  figured  largely  in  the  titles  ot'Lewii 
County;*  with  the  exception  of  the  686,000  acres  thus  conveyed, 
to  Boylston,  Angerstein,  and  Intnan,  he  reconveyed  Feb.  27, 
1793,  the  remainder  to  Constahle.f 

On  the  2  M  of  May  1794,  Boylston  gave  n  deed  of  trust  of 
eleven  townships  to  George  Lee,  George  Irt-  -v,  and  Thomas 
Latham,  assignees  of  the  firm  of  Lane,  Son  and  Fraser,  of  London, 
and  they  conveyed  them  to  John  Johnson  Phyn,  of  that  place,| 
(June  2,  1794)  in  whom,  by  sundry  conveyances  and  assurances 
in  the  law,  the  title  became  vested.  On  the  10th  of  April,  1796, 
Phyn  appointed  Wm.  Constable  his  attorney,  to  sell  and  convey 
any  or  all  of  the  Boylston  Tract,§  who  accordingly  sold,  July  16, 
1795  (at  $1  per  acre,  one  quarter  paid  down  and  the  balance  in 
five  installments,  with  mortgage)  to  Nicholas  Low,  Wm.  Hen- 
derson, Richard  Harrison,  and  Josiah  Ogden  Hoffman,  a  tract  of 
300,000  acres,  since  known  as  the  Black  River  Tract.  This 
purchase  comprised  Houndsfield,  Watertown,  Rutland,  Champion, 
Denmark,  Henderson,  Adams,  Rodman,  Pinckney,  Harrisburgh, 
and  Lowville.  On  the  1st  of  April,  1796,  Phyn  confirmed  this 
title.jl  The  tract  was  found  by  measurement  to  contain  290,376 
acres,  to  make  up  which  deficiency,  Constable  in  1796,  conveyed 
town  No.  2  (Worth)  excepting  948  acres  in  the  southeast  corner, 
which  he  reserved  to  himself.  On  the  last  mentioned  date,  Phyn 
co'nveye<l  to  Constable,  401,000  acres,  being  the  remainder  of 
the  Boylston  Tract.  The  present  town  of  Lorraine  is  in  this 
conveyance. 

Wra.  Constable  gave  to  his  brother  James,  a  power  of  attorney 
to  sell  lands,  March  16,  1798,11  and,  to  secure  the  confidence  of 
Europeans,  and  others  in  the  validity  of  his  title,  he  procured  from 
Alexander  Hamilton,  Richard  Harrison,  J.  O.  HofTman  ( attorney 
general  of  the  state)  Daniel  McKinnen,  and  other  eminent  lawyers, 
a  certificate,  that  they  had  examined  his  conveyances,  and  believed 
them  perfect. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1797,**  Constable  conveyed  to  Marvel 
Ellis  of  Troy,  the  town  of  Ellisburgh,  in  accordance  with  an 
agreement,  dated  April  11,  1796,  except  3000  acres,  conveyed 
March  17,  1797,  to  Robert  Brown,  and  Thomas  Eddy,  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  town.ft  This  tract  was  long  without  a 
resident  agent,  and  from  being  settled  by  squatters,  it  acquired 
the  unhallowed  name  of  JVb  God.      In  June   1804,  Brown  and 

*  Tnman  was  the  father  of  Henry  Inman  the  celebrated  artist. 

t  Sec.  office  Deeds  25,  p.  208.  J  Sec.  Office  Deeds,  24,  p.  35. 

^  lb.  39,  p.  62.  II  lb.  30,  37,  p.  214. 

1  Sec.  Office  deeds,  41,  p.  623.        **  Herkimer  deeds,  rec.  April  22.  1797. 

ft  Oneida  deeds,  7,  p.  331. 


Titlet  South  of  Black  River. 


63 


Eddy  iold  half  of  the  tract  to  Geo.  Scriba,  and  the  latter  to  Wm. 
Bell.  The  remainder  was  exchanged  for  a  farra  in  New  Jersey, 
by  Lord  Bollingbrokc  Ellis's  Purchase,  according  to  Medad 
Mitchell's  survey  of  Au^.  1795,  was  61,810  acres,  but  by  a  sub- 
sequent survey  of  B.  Wright,  it  covered  62,834  aci  cs.  A  part  of 
No.  10.  (Sandy  Creek)  was  conveyed  Nov.  16, 1796,  to  Mrs. 
H.  M.  Golden,  for  the  Earl  of  Selkirk.  Ellis,  on  the  day  of  his 
purchase,  mortgaged  it  for  the  payment,*  and  in  1801,  he  became 
insolvent.  In  Jan.  1802,  Constable  tiled  a  bill  in  chancery,  against 
Ellis,  and  his  creditors,  to  foreclose  for  equity  of  redemption. 
On  the  22nd  May,  1803,  Wm.  Constable  died,  and  his  executors, 
James  Constable,  John  McVickar,  and  Hezekiah  B.  Pierrepont, 
were  advised  that  the  title  was  perfected  by  the  answer  to  the 
bill  in  chancery,  but,  to  put  all  questions  torever  at  rest,  they 
deemed  it  advisable  to  proceed,  to  foreclose.  It  was  accordingly 
advertised,  and  sold,  under  the  direction  of  Thomas  Cooper,  master 
in  chancery,  at  the  Tontine  Coffee  House,  N.  Y.,  March  1,  1804, 
to  Daniel  McCormick.  On  the  2nd  day  of  March  the  executors 
of  Constable,  conveyed  the  town  to  McCormick.f  and  on  the  :u, 
the  latter  reconveyed  to  the  executors.J  On  the  26th  of  A  )ril 
1819,  a  deed  of  release,^  from  the  heirs  of  Wm.  Constable,  was 
executed  to  H.  B.  Pierrepont,  from  whom  the  title  of  the  unsold 
portions  passed  to  his  son,  Wm.  C.  Pierrepont,  who  has  in  like 
manner  acquired  the  title  of  Lorraine  from  Constable. 

The  eleven  towns  were  divided  by  ballot  between  the  com- 
pany ,||  August  5th,  1796;  Harrison  &  Hoffman  receiving 
numbers  1,  4,  5,  8,  and  10,  or  Houndsfield,  Champion,  Denmark, 
Rodman,  and  Harrisburgh,  and  1,283  acres  of  Constable's, 
No.  2  (Worth),  which  had  been  added  to  make  up  the  amount 
purchased,  and  was  used  in  "  making  change."  Low  received 
2,  7,  and  11,  or  Watertown,  Adams,  and  LowviMe,  with  1,576 
acres  of  the  present  town  of  Worth;  and  Hend'^  s-n  j,  3,  6,  and 
9,  or  Rutland,  Henderson,  and  Pinckney,  witii  t)49  acres  in 
Worth. 

These  proprietors  disposed  of  their  towns  as  follows:  No.  1 
was  sold,  the  north  half  to  Henry  Champion  and  Lemuel  Storrs, 
June30lh,  1797,11  and  the  south  part  (15,913  acres)  to  Peter 
Keuible  and  Ezra  Houndsfield,  for  $4,000,  March  10th,  1801, 
who  have  sold  the  most  to  actual  settlers,  through  the  agency 
of  E.  Camp.  The  sales  of  the  north  part  will  be  given  in  our 
account  of  that  town.  Nos.  2,  7,  and  11  were  sold  by  S.  Stow, 
M.  S.  Miller,  and  I.  W.  Bostwick,  of  Lowville,  agents  forLow. 
No.  3  was  first  partly  conveyed  to  actual  settlers  by  Asher  Miller, 


U*  Herk.  B,  p.  254. 
$  }  Oneida  deeds,  E.  492. 
U  Sec.  deeds  28,  p.  504. 


T  Oneida  deeds,  E.  490. 
$  Jefferson  deeds,  U,  45. ' 
'!  Oneida  deeds,  A,  35. 


04 


Titles  South  of  Black  Rwer. 


and  Abe]  French ;  \trhen  the  remaining  interest  of  Henderson 
was  conveyed  to  Dr.  Isaac  Bronson,  of  Greenfield,  Ct.,  who  gave 
its  agency  to  his  brother  Ethel  Bronson,  vi^ith  whom  it  continued 
till  death,  when  it  Was  transferred  to  George  White,  who  com* 
pleted  the  settlements  with  settlers.  No.  4  was  sold  to  Champion 
and  Storrs*  (with  the  north  half  of  1),  and  by  N.  Hubbard  and 
A.  Lathrop,  agents,  it  was  sold  to  settlers.  No.  6  began  to  set- 
tle uader  the  same  agents  as  3.  In  1806,  Jesse  Hopkins  was 
appointed  agent,  and  continued  about  15  years.  Certain  lots 
amounting  to  5,716  acres  were  sold  to  Isaac  Bronson,  June,  10th, 
1807,  for  $10,003-44,1  and  settled  by  the  agents  of  the  latter. 
No.  8  was  settled  for  the  proprietors  by  I.  W.  Bostwick,  agent  at 
Lowville.  Harrison  and  Hoffman  continued  tenants  in  common 
of  5,  8,  and  10,  until  may  1,  1805.J  In  July,  1809,  an  instru- 
ment was  executed,  securing  certain  interests  of  Hoffman  to 
Thomas  L.  Ogden  and  Abijah  Hammond,^  and  on  the  5th  of 
January,  1810,  Hoffman  conveyed  to  Harrison  his  interest  in 
these  towns. 

The  greater  part  of  township.2  (Worth)  fell  to  the  share  of 
Harrison  and  Hoffman.  It  was  laid  out  by  Medad  Mitchell  in 
1795;  and,  December  23d,  1797,  these  proprietors  made  a  par- 
tition, and  Harrison  conveyed  the  north  half  to  Hoffman,  who, 
July  16th,  1798,  made  a  conveyance  to  Daniel  McCormick  and 
Charles  Smith,  in  trust,  to  sell  and  convey  and  to  keep  the 
money  till  certain  debts  were  paid.||  Several  subsequent  trans- 
fers \^ere  made,  which  we  have  not  deemed  of  sufficient  public 
interest  to  trace.  The  title  to  the  south  part  remained  with 
Harrison  many  years,  and  has  but  recently  been  opened  for  set- 
tlement. 

The  boundaries  of  the  Eleven  Toums  were  surveyed  by  Ben- 
jamin Wright,  in  April  and  May,  1796,  and  from  his  field  book, 
the  original  of  which,  received  from  Robert  McDowell,  Esq.,  is 
before  us,  the  following  interesting  memoranda  are  quoted. 
These  notes  enabled  the  purchasers  to  estimate  the  relative  valwe 
of  the  several  townships,  and  formed  the  first  accurate  data  pos- 
sessed in  relation  to  the  country  south  of  Black  River.  The 
remarks  on  towns  now  in  Lewis  Coumy  are  omitted. 

1.  [Houndsfield,]  This  township  is  poorly  watered,  along  the 
southerly  line,  but  is  very  fine  soil  of  land,  and  quite  level. 
There  it  only  one  swamp,  which  is  near  the  three  mile  stalie 
[south  side],  and  is  a  dead,  marshy  spot  of  thirty  chains  in  width, 
and  appears  to  extend  N.  and  S.  on  the  line  for  some  distance. 
The  timber  is,  near  the  lake,  oak,  hickory,  chestnut,  and  some 


*  Jeff,  d^eds  A,  112. 
t  Jeff,  deeds  A,  137. 
II  Uneiia  deeds  F.  604. 


t  Jeff,  deeds  A,  112. 
$  Jeff,  defds  P,  131. 


fVrighfi  Remarks  on  the  Eleven  Towns.  6A 

beech,  maple,  ash,  birch  and  ironwood.  On  the  east  line  of  this 
town,  there  are  many  small  streams  of  very  fine  water.  The 
land  is  descending  westerly,  and  a  very  fine  soil,  except  a  large 
swamp  near  the  lour  mile  tree,  which  is  some  marshy,  and  tim- 
bered with  ash,  hemlock,  &c.  There  is  some  exceedingly  good 
pine  timber  on  this  line.  The  other  timber  is  beech,  maple, 
bass,  elm,  ash,  ironwood,  birch,  &c.  Pretty  level,  some  gentle 
ascents  and  descents.  Along  the  river  there  is  an  excellent 
body  of  pine  timber  of  fine  quality.  The  land  along  the  river  is 
handsome,  but  not  more  than  four  or  five  inches  to  a  rocky,  flat 
solid  stone,  which  has  large  vacancies  or  seams,  and  the  like, 
where  you  may  find  cracks  in  the  rocks  of  ten  feet  to  the  bottom, 
and  not  more  than  four  inches  wide.  Along  the  bay,  there  is  a 
pretty  good  country,  except  some  marshes,  where  the  streams 
come  in.  The  shore  in  many  places  along  the  bay,  is  a  per- 
pendicular rock  of  25  or  30  feet,  and  a  very  bold,  deep  shore, 
some  flat,  rock  shore,  and  almost  all  is  very  stony.  Some  marshes 
along  the  lake,  near  to  the  peninsula,  and  some  small  streams, 
which  all  make  a  meadow  or  marsh,  where  they  enter  the  lake; 
contains  26,048  acres. 

2.  [Watertown.]  Along  the  river  there  is  some  pretty  good 
land,  and  some  that  is  broken  and  rocky.  The  river  i^  amazing 
rapid,  and  rocky;  some  falls  along  the  river  which  may  be  made 
good  mill  seats  and  some  excellent  pine  timber  along  the  river. 
On  the  east  line  is  a  fine  country.  Near  the  three  mile  tree,  is 
a  swamp  of  very  fine  ash  timber,  which  will  make  excellent 
meadow.  There  are  some  steep  ascents,  and  descents,  which 
are  all  excellent  soil.  Timber,  beech,  maple,  bass,  elm,  ash,  birch, 
and  some  pine  and  ironwood;  near  the  river  some  oak  and 
walnut.  On  the  south  line  is  maple,  bass,  ash,  beech,  birch  and 
elm.  A  very  fine  soil  and  pretty  well  watered  with  small  streams, 
and  some  large  ones.  The  west  line  is  of  a  good  quality.  There 
are  some  fine  mill  seats  in  this  town,  which  on  the  map  are 
marked  "  falls,"  and  "  rapids.''  To  speak  generally,  I  think  this 
to  be  an  excellent  township,  and  scarce  any  poor  land  on  it. 
Will  settle  very  fast,  if  laid  in  lots,  and  sold  to  settlers.  Con- 
tains 26,804  acres. 

3.  [Rutland.]  Along  the  river  very  rocky,  and  some  very  good 
land;  very  few  streams  emptying  into  the  river.  There  is  a  very 
fine  mill  stream  and  various  mill  seats,  near  the  Black  Riveiv 
where  it  falls  into  the  river;  a  fall  of  six  feet,  very  curious  in- 
deed for  mills.  Along  the  river,  there  are  two  falls  of  fourteen 
and  six  feet,  which  together  with  the  rapids,  that  extend  for  a 
number  of  miles,  make  up  a  great  fall  in  the  river.  The  east 
line  is  a  very  fine  country  and  handsomely  timbered  with  maple, 
beech,  bass,  ash,  butternut,  elm  and  some  pine  and  hemlock;  on 


66 


Wrighfs  Remarks  on  the  Eleven  Towns. 


the  south  line  there  is  a  pretty  good  country,  and  timbered  with 
maple,  beech,  bass,  ash,  elm,  birch  and  hemlock.  Along  the  line 
on  the  west  side,  it  is  a  very  good  tract  of  land,  and  well  tim- 
bered. This  town  appears  to  be  exceeding  good;  all  the  waters 
are  clear  and  good,  and  are  formed  altogether  from  springs  which 
arise  on  the  land.  The  town  in  general  is  most  excellent  soil, 
and  very  well  watered,  with  large  and  small  streams,  and  I  think 
would  answer  any  person's  expectation  for  settling.  Contains 
27,604  acres. 

4.  [Champion].  Thewest  line  of  this  town  is  in  general  excel- 
lent land,  and  has  no  steep  ascents  and  decents  of  consequence  on  it, 
but  gentle  slopes  interspersed  with  small  streams  of  excellent  wa- 
ter. There  are  some  fine  mill  streams,  which  have  good  mill  seats 
on  this  line.  A  fall  on  a  considerable  stream  of  water,  which  runs 
northerly,  and  falls  into  Black  River,  is  a  most  excellent  mill  seat. 
The  country  is  timbered  with  maple,  beech,  basswood,  birch,  ash, 
elm,  butternut,  and  some  few  hemlocks.  Along  the  river  there 
is  a  very  good  country  after  you  are  a  small  distance  from  the 
river,  and  timbered  with  maple,  beech,  bass,  ash,  elm,  and  but- 
ternut, and  some  pine,  and  hemlock.  There  is  a  number  of  good 
mill  seats  on  the  streams  which  empty  into  the  river,  and  a  num- 
ber of  rapids.  The  Long  Falls,  may  be  made  good  mill  seats. 
This  township  is  exceedingly  good  soil,  and  beautifully  timbered, 
watered  exceeding  well  and  with  excellent  water,  some  lime- 
stone along  the  river,  and  some  few  irdges  of  other  kinds  of 
stone,  of  excellent  quality  for  building  stone.  I  have  not  traversed 
the  interior  part  of  this  town,  but  from  every  appearance,  it  is  an 
excellent  township.  It  has  almost  every  good  quality  that  can  be 
fixed  in  one  township  of  land.  Exceeding  fine  timber,  and  many 
mill  seats;  some  fine  timber,  but  not  much  that  I  have  seen. 
Contains  25,708  acres. 

6.  [Henderson].  The  south  land  of  this  town  is  exceedingly 
good  land,  and  is  timbered  with  maple,  beech,  bass,  ash,  elm, 
some  oak,  and  hickory;  near  the  mile  tree  on  the  south  line,  there 
is  a  swan  .)of  cedar,  and  some  pine,  ash,  &c.  The  east  line  is 
timbered  wi4h  maple,  beech,  bass,  elm,  ash,  birch,  &c.,  very 
fine  soil,  and  pretty  level,  some  swamp  but  all  good,  and  will 
make  excellent  meadow,  and  are  filled  with  valuable  timber. 
The  north  line  is  a  pretty  level  country,  some  gentle  ascents 
and  descents,  and  some  oak,  chestnut,  hickory,  ash  beech,  ma- 
ple, and  some  pine  on  it.  Along  the  Hungry  Bay  there  is 
a  very  handsome  beach,  and  very  fine  land  along  all  the 
whole  distance  around,  until  you  pass  a  peninsula  when  you 
come  to  where  the  shore  is  a  perpendicular  rock,  of  from  30  to 
80  and  in  some  places  nearly  100  feet.  The  land  does  not  ap- 
pear to  be  very  good  near  the  shore  of  these  rocks,  and  no  streams 


Wrighfa  Remarks  on  the  Eleven  Towns. 


6T 


;red  with 
r  the  line 
well  tim- 
le  waters 
gs  which 
llent  soil, 
d  I  think 
Contains 

ral  excel- 
nce  on  it, 
illent  wa- 
nill  seats 
hich  runs 
mill  seat, 
irch,  ash, 
iver  there 
from  the 
and  hut- 
r  of  good 
id  a  num- 
3 ill  seats, 
timbered, 
me  lime- 
kinds  of 
traversed 
it  is  an 
at  can  be 
nd  many 
ve  seen. 

eedingly 
ish,  elm, 
ne, there 
st  line  is 
c,  very 
and  will 
timber, 
ascents 
ch,  ma- 
there  is 
all   the 
len   you 
m  30  to 
not  ap- 
streamf 


whatever.  A  cedar  swamp  lies  along  on  the  top  of  the  bank  lor 
a  considerable  distance.  After  you  are  at  Stony  Point  you  will 
find  the  lake  shore  of  flat  rocks,  and  the  appearance  of  the  coun- 
try to  be  pretty  good;  some  marshes,  and  some  cold  hemlock 
land.  Where  the  shore  is  not  rocky,  there  are  very  large  stones. 
The  largest  stream  in  this  town  is  Stony  Creek,  which  has  a 
pond  about  three  miles  up,  of  400  acres  and  a  dead  cranberry 
marsh  around  the  pond.  There  are  some  fine  mill  seats  on  Stony 
Creek,  below  the  pond,  but  none  above.  The  marsh  around  the 
pond  is  very  poor,  and  very  miry.  To  speak  generally,  this  is  a 
pretty  good  town:  has  a  good  harbor,  on  the  S.  W.  part  is  Stony 
Creek  Bay. 

7.  Adams.  This  is  a  very  good  township.  On  the  south 
line,  it  is  a  very  fine  country,  and  very  handsomely  timbered, 
with  maple,  beech,  bass,  ash,  elm,  birch,  butternut,  and  some 
excellent  fine  timber.  Along  the  east  line,  there  is  some  pine 
timber,  and  all  th^  soil  is  fine;  the  timber  in  general  is  maple, 
elm,  bass,  ash,  beech,  birch,  iron  wood,  butternut.  It  is  a  pretty 
level  country,  some  undulations  and  some  excellent  swaly  land. 
On  the  north  line,  there  is  very  fine  soil,  and  handsome  timber  of 
maple,  bass,  ash,  beech,  birch,  elm,  butternut,  and  some  iron 
wood.  The  principal  streams  are  Stony  Creek  and  the  north 
branch  of  Big  Sandy  Creek.  This  branch  is  a  large  stream  of 
1  ch.  80  Iks.,  width,  in  general,  and  has  some  very  fine  interval, 
and  is  almost  all  flat  rock  bottom.  There  are  some  appearances 
of  mill  seats  on  this  branch,  and  I  suppose  probably  very  good 
ones,  but  I  have  seen  nothing  of  that  kind.  Some  very  fine 
springs  of  water,  which  are  scattered  over  the  town,  and  are  of 
good  quality.  To  speak  generally,  the  town  has  every  good 
quality.  Millseats,  springs  of  excellent  water,  pine  timber, 
limestone,  clay,  maple,  beech,  bass,  ash,  butternut,  birch,  iron- 
wood,  pine,  oak,  and  some  chestnut  timber,  gentle  ascents  and 
descents,  fine  soil,  black  mould,  and  loam  in  general. 

8.  Rodman.  The  north  line  of  this  town  is  a  very  fine  soil, 
and  in  general  pretty  level;  some  hills  and  some  gentle  ascents, 
all  of  which  are  very  fine.  It  is  limbered  with  mapie,  bass,  ash, 
elm,  beech,  birch,  butternut,  and  some  few  hemlocks,  which  are 
near  the  banks  of  the  streams.  There  is  some  pine  oti  this  line, 
but  not  a  plenty.  On  the  east  line  there  is  a  pretty  good 
country,  excepting  it  is  cut  to  pieces  much  with  the  streams,  all 
of  which  make  large  gulfs,  which  are  from  40  to  150  feet  deep. 
On  the  south  line,  is  a  pretty  good  country,  very  finely  watered 
with  streams.  The  timber  in  general  is  maple,  beech,  bass, 
elm,  hemlock,  spruce,  ash,  birch,  soft  maple  and  some  iron  wood. 
On  the west  line  there  is  very  fine  land,  which  is  timbered  as 
the  rest.     The  north  branch  of  Big  Sandy  Creek  passes  through 


68 


Title  of  the  Island*. 


this  town,  near  the  N.  W.  part,  and  makes  very  fine  intervals 
along  its  course.  This  is  a  fine  mill  stream,  and  has  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  water  for  all  seasons.  There  are  also  some  other 
streams,  which  run  through  this  town,  on  which  are  fine  mill 
seats.    Some  pine  timber  on  this  town,  but  not  in  abundance. 

These  notes  close  with  the  following  comparison  of  the  proba- 
ble relative  value  of  the  several  towns.  Nc*.  I,  2,  5,  6,  7,  are 
very  little  to  choose  in  point  of  quality.  6  is  best  situated,  but 
7  is  most  excellent.  5  would  be  called  best  by  those  New 
England  people,  on  account  of  the  luxuriance  of  the  soil  on 
Deer  Creek.  2  is  an  exceeding  good  town,  but  is  not  so  good 
as  7.  8  and  9  are  very  good  towns..  10,  the  north  part  is  ex- 
ceedingly good.  11,  the  west  part  is  excellent.  7  has  the 
preference  for  quality  and  situation  together,  and  6  for  situation 
only  of  the  whole.  No  1  is  well  situated,  but  I  fear  has  not 
good  mill  seats  on  it.  8  has  excellent  niillseats  and  9  also,  but 
is  some  broken.  10  is  bad  in  the  south  line,  and  9  c!so  is  cold 
and  hemlocky." 

The  islands  in  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  Lake,  were  included  in 
the  original  contract*  of  Macomb,  with  the  state,  of  June  22, 
1791,  but,  from  the  uncertainty  about  the  boundary,  they  were 
not  patented  till  long  after.  The  claim  of  Macomb  passed  to 
Daniel  McCormick,  and  was  recognized  by  the  commissioners  of 
the  Land  Office,  Jan.  28,  1814,  when  they  directed  the  surveyor 
general  to  survey  such  islands  as  were  clearly  within  the  limits 
of  the  state,  at  the  expense  of  the  ovirner,  and  a  release  of  damage 
was  to  be  granted,  should  the  lands  so  laid  out,  hereafter  be  in- 
cluded in  Canada,  upon  the  running  of  the  boundary.  McCor- 
mick sold  his  interest  to  D.  A.  and  T.  L.  Ogden,  which  was  also 
sanctioned  by  the  commissioners,  May  14,  1817.  For  running 
the  boundary  agreed  upon  by  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  Gen.  Peter  B. 
Porter,  was  appointed  commissioner,  and  Samuel  Hawkins,  agent 
for  the  United  States,  and  John  Ogilvie,  commissioner  on  the  part 
of  Great  Britain,  who  met  at  Regis,  and  after  carefully  ascertaining 
the  line  of  45°  north  Lat.,  by  a  series  of  astronomical  observations, 
proceeded  thence  in  two  parties,  one  to  Lake  Champlain,  and  the 
other  up  the  river.  In  1818,  the  latter  had  reached  Ogden's 
Island,  and  in  1819  their  labor  was  completed.  Patents  were 
iss'  sd  for  the  islands,  as  follows: 

All  the  islands  in  the  state,  between  a  line  drawn  at  right 
angles  to  the  river,  from  the  village  of  Morristown,  and  a  meri- 
dian drawn  through  the  western  point  of  Grindstone  Island  to 
Elisha  Camp,  Feb.  15,  1823.  These  islands  contained  15,402.9 
acres,  of  which  Grindstone  Island  contrined  5,291,  Well's  Island 


{ 


1 


2 
C 
c 


*  Land  office  minutes,  vol.  2.  p.  192. 


Towtu  of  Je^erton  County. 


69 


*i::^ 


'm 


8,068,  and  Indian  Hut  Island  369  acres,  with  several  smaller  ones, 
witbcut  names.  Pateiits  were  also  issued  to  Camp  on  the  same 
dnte  to  Stony  Island,  1,636  acres;  Calf  Island  34.8  acres;  Little 
Galloo  Island  48.8  acres;  the mostofGalloo  Island  2,216.2  acres; 
and  Willow  Island  \  acre.  A  patent  to  the  United  States,  for 
30.76  and  6  acres  on  Galloo  Island,  was  issued  Dec.  11,  1819, 
and  to  Melancton  L.  Woolsey,  Nov.  3, 1823,  for  GulPs  Island 
6.6  acres,  and  Snake  Island  1.4  acres.  Cherry  Island,  in  Chaumont 
Bay,  108.4  acres;  Grenadier  Island  1.290  acres,  and  Fox  Island 
267.6  acres  were  patented  to  Hezekiah  B.  Pierrepont,  and  others, 
Oct.  1,  1824.  600  acres  on  the  western  part  of  Carlton  Island 
were  patented  to  Charles  Smyth,  Oct.  2, 1828.*  A  partition  deed 
was  executed  between  Pierrepont,  and  Joshua  Waddington  and 
Thomas  L.  Ogden,  Nov.  10, 1824,  by  which  the  former  received 
Grenadier  and  Cherry  Islands.  They  were  sold,  Feb.  19, 1826,t 
for  $7000,  to  Wm.  and  Gerardus  Post  of  N.  Y.  These  islands 
had  been  occupied  many  years  by  squatters,  who  with  great  re- 
luctance yielded  possession.  Incidents,  connected  with  surveys 
and  titles,  will  be  given  in  our  account  of  the  several  towns,  and 
in  their  place,  sketches  of  several  of  the  characters  who  figured 
in  these  transactions. 

The  jurisdiction  of  a  part  of  Galloo  Island  was  ceded  by  the 
legislature  to  the  United  States  for  a  lighthouse,  by  an  act  of 
April  21,  1818;  that  of  Tibbets  Point  (about  three  acres)  Jan. 
26,  !827;  that  of  Horse  Island  Ap-il  26,  1831,  and  of  a  part  of 
Carlton  Island  June  21,  1863.  In  these  cessions  the  state  retains 
concurrent  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction. 


T^ 


CHAPTES  ly. 

TOWNS  OF  JEFFERSON  COUNTY. 

Adams,  taken  ftoxn  Mexico,  Ap>;'  -st,  1802. 
Alexandxu,  taken  from  BroumviUe  and  Le  Ray,  April  3d,  1831. 
AnTwiMP,  taken  from  Le  Ray,  April  5ili,  1810. 
BROwrfviLi,E,  taken  from  Ltyden,  April  Int,  1802. 
CAfF  ViKCBAT,  taken  from  Lyme,  April  10th,  1849. 
Chaupioiv,  taken  from  Mexico,  March  14th,  1800. 
Clattoit,  taken  from  Orleans  and  Lyme,  April  27th,  1833. 
Elubbvmb,  taken  from  Mexico,  February  22d,  1803. 
HENDEKSOir,  tnken  from  EUiaburgh,  February  17th,  1806. 

*  See  our  aecount  of  Cape  Vincent, 
t  Jeffenondeedi,  v.  417. 


■M^  ,s^^•> ; 


w 


TowM  in  Jeferton  County. 


HoDNDsriELD,  taken  from  WaUrtoien,  February  17ih.  1806. 
Lb  Kay,  tnken  from  BroienvUU,  Feliniary  17tli,  li^Oll 
I>*>RRAiNR,  aH  M^tla,*  from  Mexico,  Mnrch  24th,  1804. 
Lyme,  taken  fi';>m  B  ownvUle,  Mnrcli  6tli,  1818. 
Orleans,  t«ke>;  from  BroumviUe,  April  Sd,  182L 
Pahblia,  taken  i'mm  BrownviUe,  April  ISiii,  131D. 
Philaiif  (.PHiA.  cnkon  from  Le  Rny,  Aj);i'  3<l,  l&'J'*. 
Rodman  aa  HanUortf*  Iron;  .^davis,  Mnv(;l<  ?4th,  1S04. 
KuTi^AND,  tnken  fVom  fFatertown,  April  l-^t  1802. 
Theresa,  taken  ^otii  Mexnndrm,  April  l&tl),  .1843. 
Watertown,  tnkoi;  iVom  Mtxici.  >!nrch  14lh,  J800, 
WiLNA,  taken  iroin  Lt  Eaif  nnci  Lcijden^  April  2(1,  ISli*^. 
Worth,  taken  frotti  Lorraine,  Ai)rii  I2th,  1848. 

At  the  lime  when  the  county  h.'^;an  to  sdlle,  its  territory  was 
enjbraced  'n  two  towns  of  Onc-idn  County,  All  souih  '  i^latk 
Rivc?r  was  i  part  of  Mexico,  and  all  n  ^rth  of  the  rrer  beiongeii 
tv-.<  l*«.'yd*!n.  The  sulxSivisions  that  had  preceded  these,  were 
I-  iHy  I*!  follows:  In  1788  (March  7),  Whilestown  vfa.s  {ormed 
as  u  pair  of  Monigomery  County,  embracing  all  north,  south, 
and  ^'^'t,  to  the  bounds  of  the  state,  from  which,  by  successive 
divisjoa  J  many  hundred  towns  have  since  sprung.  Steuben  was 
fonaeu  April  lOlh,  1792,  from  which  Leyden  was  erected, 
March  10th,  1797,  embracing  besides  its  present  limits,  all  east 
and  north  of  the  river  in  this  county  and  Lewis.  By  the  same 
act  the  town  of  Mexico  was  formed,  with  most  of  Oswego,  the 
south  part  of  Jefferson,  and  west  half  of  Lewis  for  its  limits, 
and  from  this  town,  Champion,  Watertown,  and  Lowville,  were 
formed,  March  14th,  1800,  by  one  actj  Adams..  April  1st,  1802, 
and  Ellisburgh,  February  22d,  1803.  Simeon  De  Witi  in  his 
map  of  the  stat<2  east  of  the  preemption  line,  published  in  1802, 
adopted  the  following  names  to  the  towns  in  the  county. 
Penet  Square,  now  m  Clayton  and  Orleans,  Penet.I 
Great  tract  number  four,  Castorland. 
Purchase  of  the  French  Company,  Chassanis. 
Bl'k  R.  Tract,  No.  I,  now  Houndsfield,  Hesiod. 

Watertovm,  LEQHO^ti. 
Rutland,  Milan. 
Champion,  Howard. 
Henderson,  Henderson. 
Jldams,  Aleppo. 
Rodman,  Orpheus. 
Town  of  Ellisburgh,  Minos. 
Boyliton  Tract  No.  1,  now  Lorraine,  Axxr    .? 

"  2,    «     Worth,  Fenei  :• 

But  one  of  these  has  since  been  p' •••erv    ' 


(( 

2, 

(( 

3, 

(( 

4, 

« 

^      it 

6, 

(( 

7, 

(C 

8, 

*  Chanr''     ;   heir  present  names,  April  Ct' 
t  A  mau.:4ca|)t  map  of  1798  gires  the  name  > 


':%''a  Square  as  Richtland. 


I 


Adanu. 


'  -■   -  Adams.  '"''        ■     '' ''    ' 

Was  formed  from  Mexico,  embracing  townships  No.  7  and  8, 
on  ihe  1st  of  April,  1802,  the  first  town  meeting  being  held  at 
the  house  of  Eliphalet  Edmonds.  The  town  derived  its  name 
from  president  John  Adams. 

JSotes  from  the  town  records. — Wolf  bounties  of  $5  were 
offered  in  1803;  of  $10  from  1804  to  1814;  of  $16  in  1815. 
In  «he  latter  year  a  bounty  of  $10  was  offered  for  wild  cats, 
and  $1  for  Ibxes.  A  special  meeting  was  held  December 
20th,  1816,.and  these  bounties  were  rescinded.  In  1818,  a  wolf 
bounty  ol  $10  was  offered.  Panther  bounties  of  $10  offered  in 
1811,  1813. 

In  1822-3,  the  poor  upon  the  town  were  voted  to  be  sold  at 
auction,  to  the  lowest  bidder.  In  1823,  the  town  voted  against 
adopting  the  poor  house,  and  house  of  industry,  recommended 
by  the  supervisors.  In  1812,  a  penalty  of  $5  voted  for  allowing 
Canada  thistles  to  go  to  seed.  At  a  special  town  meeting, 
passed  November  29th,  1842,  the  sum  of  $500  was  voted  for 
repairing  the  state  road  from  Rome  to  Sackett's  Harbor  in  the 
towns  of  Redfield  and  Boylston. 

At  the  first  town  meeting  of  Adams,  held  March  1,  1803 
the  following  town  officers  were  elected:  Nicholas  Salisbury 
supervisor;  Phineas  Keith,  clerk;  D'Estaing  Salisbury,  John 
W.  Smith,  David  Grommon,  Jr.,  Thomas  White,  assessors;  Isaac 
Baker,  collector;  Thomas  White,  David  Comstock,  overseers 
of  the  poor;  Paul  Stickney,  Jacob  Kellogg,  Simeon  Hunt, 
commissioners  of  highways;  Isaac  Baker,  and  Anson  Moody, 
constables;  Daniel  Comstock,  David  Smith,  George  H.  Thomas, 
George  Cooper,  fence  viewers;  Jacob  Kellogg,  Benjamin 
Thomas,  vou7id  keepers;  Abraham  Ripley,  James  Perry,  Enan 
SalLbury,  John  Cowles,  Consider  Law,  Solomon  Robbins,  Heze- 
kiah  Tiffany,  Thomas  White,  Daniel  Mansfield,  Asa  Davis, 
Squire  Read,  Abel  Palmer,  overseers  of  highways;  David  Com- 
stock, Simeon  Hunt,  deer  reeves. 

Supervisors.  1803-12,  Nicholas  Salisbury;  1813,  Jacob  Kel- 
logg; 1814-17,  N.  Salisbury;  1818-20,  Eliphalet  Edmonds; 
1821-26,  Wm.  Ka  *;  1827-28,  Isaac  Baker;  1829-30,  Cyrus 
Eddy;  iS'ii,  Chi'uncey Baker;  1832,  Isaac  Baker;  1833, Cyrus 
E^  ji  1834,  Wells  Benton;  1835,  David  J.  M.  Howard;  1836, 
\.aac  Baker;  1837,  Jamuel  Bond;  1838,  D.  J.  M.  Howard; 
1839-40,  John  H.  Whipple;  184  Robert  B.  Doxtater;  1842-43, 
Rufus  Herick;  1844,  Abram  Sheldon;  1845-47,  Joseph  L. 
Green;  1848,  Charles  Potter;  1849-62,  John  C.  Cooper;  1853, 
Joseph  C  Green. 
Adams,  or  No.  7,  fell  to  the  share  of  Nicholas  Low,  in  the 


73 


Adanu. 


subdivision  of  the  eleven  towns,  by  ballot,  and  was  surveyed  by 
Benjamin  Wright  in  1796,  into  56  lots,  numbered  from  west  to 
east,  and  from  north  to  south,  commencing  nenr  Henderson  Bay, 
and  ending  on  the  line  of  Lorraine.  Mr.  Wright  complained 
of  local  attractions,  that  rendered  it  impossible  to  run  straight 
lines.  The  lots  varied  in  contents  from  240  acres  to  676  acres, 
and  the  whole  made  an  aggregate  of  26,505  acres. 

In  June,  1799,  a  company  consisting  of  Nicholas  Salisbury, 
Robert  Fulton,  Caleb  Ellis  and  son  Daniel,  Joel  Guile,  Abram 
Wilcox,  John  and  Gideon  Howard,  and  Elihu  Phillips,  followed 
up  the  creek  from  Ellisburgh,  through  this  town  and  Rodman, 
and  the  former  was  so  struck  with  the  probable  fertility  and 
value  of  the  town  that  he  went  to  New  York  the  same  fall, 
and  purchased  a  tract  one  mile  below  the  village.  About  a  dozen, 
whose  names  are  given  in  the  following  list,  took  up  lands  the 
same  fall.  This  list  is  taken  from  the  land  books  of  Nicholas 
Low,  in  the  hands  of  L  W.  Bostwick,  Esq..  of  Lowville,  the  agent 
under  whom  the  town  was  mostly  settled.  1798,  Eiisha  Phillips; 
1799,  Oct.  29,  Stephen  Shippey,  Enon  D'Estaing,  Nicholas  and 
Alex.  Salisbury,  Solomon  Smi.h,  Daniel  Comstock,  David  Smith, 
Abram  Ripley  and  Jonathan  Cable;  Nov.  6,  Eliph't  Edmonds, 
Alexander  Dewey;  Nov.  14,  Geo.  Cooper,  Jehoida  Page,  Solomon 
Truman,  John  W.  Smith,  Francis  McKee,  Robert  Myrick;  Dec.  1, 
Squier  Read,  Daniel  Fox,  Zaccheus  Walworth;  1800,  Josiah'God- 
frey,  Jenks  Seaman,  Simeon  Forbes,  Ebenezer  Lazell,  David  and 
Stephen  Grummons,  Isaac  Baker,  Samuel  Fox,  Geo.  Houseman, 
Peter  Dockstader,  Paul  Stickney,  Elias  Avery,  James  McCumber, 
Russell  Smith,  Eben'r  Brown,  Amos  Claflin,  Joshua  Comstock, 
Matthew  Wilkie,  Consider  Law.  In  1801,  Abijah  Miller,  John 
Freeman,  Josiah  Godfrey,  Daniel  Talcott,  Hezekiah  Tiffany, 
Joseph  Cook,  Phineas  Rose,  Robert,  Solomon  and  Asher  Rob- 
bins,  Simeon  Meacham,  Timothy  Pond,  Barnabas  Wellman,  Wm. 
Thomas,  Abel  Hart,  Henry  H.  Walrodh,  Chauncey  and  Roswell 
Mills.  In  1802,  Nathan  Loveland,  Cornelius  Hinds,  Sylvanus 
P.  Daggart,  Abel  Loveland,  Roswell  Taylor,  Roswell  Coe,  John 
Richard,  David  Higgens,  Aaron  Farr,  John  C.  Toll,  John  C. 
Scott,  James  Streeter,  John  Kudder,  Joseph  Landon.  In  1803, 
Truman  and  Theodore  Bunce,  John  Jones,  John  Wentworth, 
Sylvanus  Barney,  James  Randolph,  D.  G.  M.  Gaylord,  James 
Henderson,  Thomas  James,  Absalom  Price,  David  Gardner.  In 
1804,  Job  Taylor,  Eliphalet  Adams,  Abel  Myrick.  Darius  Mark- 
ham,  John  C.  Dickinson,  John  Weaver,  Aaron  Webster,  and 
subsequently  many  others.  Although  in  the  fall  of  1799,  many 
parties  were  in  looking  for  lands,  yet  |no  settlement  was  made 
until  April  16,  1800,  when  Nicholas  Salisbury,*  from  YVeiit^^rn, 


*  Mr.  S.  died  in  town,  Dec.  11, 1834,  aged  71. 


AdatM. 


W 


N.  Y.,  found  his  vray  into  town  through  Lowville,  by  a  tedious 
journey  of  26  days,  bringing  with  an  ox  team  and  sled,  his 
family  and  goods,  fording  the  streams  with  great  peril,  and 
camping  at  night  wherever  necessity  compelled  them.  Solomon 
Smith  and  son  accompanied,  as  hired  men.  John  Smith,  Francis 
McKee,  Consider  Law,  David  Smith,  Peter  Doxtater*  and  others, 
several  with  families,  came  into  town,  and  begun  small  clearings, 
mostly  in  the  valley  of  Sandy  Creek.  The  terms  of  purchase 
were  $3  per  acre,  and  an  obligation  to  clear  two  acres,  and  build 
a  house  within  a  certain  time.  A  tract  of  500  acres,  where 
Adams  village  now  is  was  taken  up  by  David  Smith.f  who  in 
1800,  built  and  got  in  operation  a  saw  mill,  and  the  same  season 
witnessed  the  arrival  of  numeious  settlers,  mostly  from  Oneida 
County.  Those  on  foot,  came  by  way  of  Redfield,  but  this  route 
was  then  impassable  for  teams.  The  first  acre  of  clearing  was 
cut  in  May  and  June,  1800,  by  Samuel  Fox,  three  miles  above 
the  village.  Mr.  David  Smith,  where  Adams  Village  now  is,  in 
1801  or  1802,  got  in  operation  a  very  small  grist  mill,  that 
superseded  the  stump  mortars  of  the  first  season,  and  relieved  the 
settlers  from  the  long  and  tedious  journeys  to  Coflf'een's  Mill  in 
Rutland,  or  voyages  in  open  boats  from  the  mouth  of  Sandy 
Creek  to  Kingston.  From  the  first  prominent  settler  at  the  vil- 
lage, the  place  acquired  and  long  retairfe  •  the  name  of  Smithes 
Mills,  by  M'hich  it  is  still  sometimes  known  by  the  old  inhabit- 
ants.  In  1801,  Jacob  Kellogg,  John  Cole,  and  many  otl  trs,  moved 
in,  and  in  the  second  or  third  following  years,  a  flood  of  immi- 
gration soon  filled  up  the  town,  which  every  where  presented 
small  patches  of  clearing,  rude  huts,  blind  paths  through  the 
forest,  destined  to  become  roads,  and  from  every  side  echoed  the 
woodman's  axe,  that  gradually  prepared  the  way  for  cultivation. 

The  first  deeds  of  land  to  actual  settlers,  were  given  Aug.  20, 
1802,  to  George  Houseman,  Peter  Doxtater,  Francis  McKie, 
Robert  Myrick,  and  David  Smith. 

In  1802,  a  bridge  was  built  near  Smith's  Mill,  which  has  beer 
swept  off  several  times  by  the  floods  to  which  Sandy  Creek  i. 
peculiarly  liable,  and  their  maintenance  has  cost  the  town  con- 
siderable expense.  A  tax  of  $500,  upon  the  town  of  Adams 
was  authorized  April  13,  1839,  for  the  purpose  of  building  a 
bridge  across  the  north  branch  of  Big  Sandy  Creek  at  the  village. 
The  first  death  in  town,  was  that  of  Alexander  Salisbury,  who' 
was  drowned,  March  21,  1801,  while  attempting  to  cross  th? 

*Mr.  ■  ..  born  at  German  Flats ;  was  taken  prisoner  by  Indians,  and 
kept  thr  .  .>..a:  served  in  the  revolution,  and  died  at  Adams,  Dec.  1, 184U, 
aged  93,     congress  in  1834,  granted  him  a  pension. 

t  Mr.  Smith  died  March  18,  1844,  aged  73. 

6 


74 


Adanu. 


creek  above  the  dam,  in  a  scow.  The  first  marriage  is  said  to 
have  been  his  widow.,  to  Daniel  Ellis,  June  8,  1802.  In  1803, 
schools  were  ^  •    "uith's  mills.    The  first  innkeeper  in 

town,  was  AVI  ti»>V.    tie  first  merchant,  Jesse  Hale. 

On  the  ii'st  oocasion  in  which  the  services  of  a  physician  were 
needed,  in  Ihe  winter  of  1801-2,  C.  Smith  went  on  snow  shoes 
to  Western  Oneida  County  25  miles,  through  a  forest,  and  returned 
the  second  day.  This  mode  of  communication  was  common  from 
necessity  at  that  period.  Dr.  Green  i"  na'id  to  have  been  the  first 
physician  who  settled  in  to^  Ji.  j.,'i  £l  'man,  located  at  an 
early  day  and  resided  till  bis  death,  Sept.  6,  1844,  aged  77.  The 
early  history  of  this  town  presents  few  incidents  worthy  of  spe- 
cial notice.  .  During  the  war  a  company  of  Silver  Grays,  or  old 
men  not  liable  to  military  duty,  and  mostly  revolutionary  patri- 
( IS,  was  formed  in  town,  and  once  or  twice  repaired  to  Sackets 
Harbor,  but  were  never  taken  into  the  service  of  government. 
In  1828,  the  sickness  which  prevailed  so  extensively  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  lake,  extended  to  this  town,  and  proved  very  severe. 
Great  numbers  were  attacked  and  many  died.  The  location  of 
David  Smith,  gradually  became  the  centre  of  business,  and  has 
become  one  of  the  largest  and  neatest  villages  in  the  county. 
Adams  Village  is  located  mostly  on  the  north  bank  of  North 
Sandy  Creek,  near  the  south  line  of  tho  town,  and  contains  a 
bank,  a  weekly  newspaper,  churches  of  the  Presbyterian,  Metho- 
dist, Baptist,  and  Episcopal  orders,  and  for  thrift,  enterprise  and 
progress,  will  compare  favorably  with  most  villages  in  the  state. 
A  visible  impulse  has  been  given  to  t  by  the  rail  road,  which 
here  receives  and  discharges  a  lar^t  amount  of  freight  for  this 
and  the  adjoining  towns.  *  ..  water  power  of  the  village  is  ad- 
equate for  its  oidinaiy  wants,  and  the  surrounding  country  is 
remarkably  fertile  an.i  well  cultivated.  The  village  was  incor- 
porat  d  under  i^  gefK.al  act,  b}  he  court  of  sessions,  Nov.  11, 
1851,  and  confirmed  by  a  vote  oi  79  to  51,  nn  the  19th  of  Dec. 
in  ihe  same  year.  The  village  plat  includes  812  acres.  An  at- 
tempt had  bfien  m?!c!(  in  1823,  to  obtain  an  a  ;t  of  incorporation, 
but  fniledj  the  notice  of  application  was  signed  by  Elibu  Mcvton, 
David  Smith,  Benjamin  Wright,  and  John  Burch.  The  trnsteesof 
tlie  village  have  been:  Feb.  1852,  J*  ;j  H.Whipple,  Sam'iel  Bond, 
Calvin  Skinner,  Calvin  R.  '^  man,  nd  Wells  Benton.  March 
1S52,  Jeremiah  Grisworld,  ,  4.  "  hippie,  C.  Skinner,  C.  R. 
Totraan,  W.  Benton,  March  1853,  Thomas  P.  Saunders,  J.  H. 
Whipple,  Justice  Eddy,  Wm.  Grenell,  Julius  K.  Bartlet. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  1852,  the  village  was  divided  into  five 
wards,  and  a  code  of  by  laws  adopted.  A  fire  company  was  formed. 
May  24,  1853.  About  twenty-five  years  since,  an  effort  was 
made  towards  establishing  a  female  seminary  here,  of  which  Mr. 


Adams. 


75 


Thomas  C.  Chittenden  was  one  of  the  roost  active  promoters. 
A  small  academic  building  was  subsequently  erected  by  individual 
enterprise,  and  the  aid  of  Universalists,  v/no  stipulated  the  right 
of  holding  meetings  in  it  on  the  sabbath.  The  building  has  since 
been  generally  used  for  private  schools,  under  the  name  of  the 
Mams  Seminary,  and  is  now  occupied  as  a  session  room  by  the 
Presbyterian  Society.  The  project  of  founding  an  academy  at 
this  place,  has  lately  come  up  for  discussion. 

The  Adams  Library  was  formed  April  12,  1831,  with  Cyrus 
Eddy,  Wm.  Chittenden,  Walter  Webb,  Forester  Dexter,  and 
Weils  Benton,  trustees.     It  has  long  since  been  di&solved. 

A  Rural  Cemetery  Association  was  formed  un«ler  the  general 
act,  Jan.  17,  1848, of  33  citizens,  who  have  laid  out  a  neat  and 
quiet  '  jt,  for  the  purpose,  n(  ii-  the  village. 

Adatns  Centre,  ten  miles  by  rail  road  liom  Watertown,  and  3} 
from  Adams  Village,  is  situated  on  the  upper  lake  ridge,  which 
extends  many  miles  southward  and  around  into  the  Black  River 
Valley.  Its  first  growth  as  a  village  comuienced  in  1818,  and 
since  the  location  of  the  rail  road  it  has  increased  rapidly,  con- 
taining in  August  1853,  two  Seventh  Day  Baptist,  and  one  Bap- 
tist chiirclus,  2  hotels,  4  stores,  2  carriage  shops,  1  tin  shop, 
the  usi  1  variety  of  mechanics,  and  about  40  dwellings.  It  was 
foririt: ')  known  as  Adams  Five  Corners.  This  place  is  5  miles 
from  Jmithville,  4  from  Rodman,  10  from  Brownville,  11  from 
Dexter,  and  8  from  Sackets  Harbor. 

On  ihe  west  line  of  the  town,  and  partly  in  Henderson,  is  the 
villapf  f  Smithville,  which  derives  its  name  from  Jesse  Smith, 
one  oi  I  .6  most  energetic  and  active  business  men,  who  have 
lived  in  the  county,  and  who,  from  a  small  beginning,  arose  to 
affluence,  and  controlled  a  business,  which,  for  extent  and  import- 
ance, has  had  few  parallels  in  the  country.  He  first  settled  in 
Rodman,  when  the  town  was  new,  and  began  life  as  a  jobber, 
in  clearing  land  and  making  pota^.  At  Smithville,  he  engaged 
in  milling,  distilling,  and  merchandise,  and  gradually  L'jcame 
interested  in  the  lumber  trade,  and  commerce  of  the  lakes,  to  a 
great  exent.  H«;  removed  about  fifteen  years  since  to  Newark, 
Ohio,  where  he  now  r<'sides.  Stitlement  was  begun  here  in 
1804,  by  Daniel  Hardy.  In  1805,  Abel  Myrick,  Henry  Knapp, 
Samuel  and  Andrew  McNitt,  and  soon  after  others  located  in  the 
vicinity.  The  first  public  house  was  opened  by  D.  Hardy.  Brooks 
Harrington  was  the  first  post  master.  The  village  contains  now 
fifty  families.  It  has  a  limited  water  power  on  Stony  Creek,  and 
is  surrounded  by  a  rich  dairying  country.  The  Sackets  Harbor 
and  Ellisburgh  rail  road  passes  near  Ihe  village.  The  Smithville 
Library  was  formed  Feb.  16,  1824  and  dissolved  in  1845,  having 
collected  362  volumes.  The  first  trustees  were  Abel  L.  Crandall, 


76 


Adanu. 


Henry  Keith,  Daniel  Hall,  Jr.,  John  M.  Bart,  C.  M.  AHami, 
Roswell  Bosworih,  and  Brooks  Harrinp;ton.  In  Feb.  1827,  a 
post  office  was  established  near  the  line  of  Watertown,  and  named 
Union  Post  Office;  E.  M.  Howard  first  post  master.  It  han  since 
changed  to  Appling,  in  honor  of  the  intrepid  officer  who  took 
the  chief  commairl  in  the  battle  of  Sandv  Creek  Adams,  Adams 
Centre,  and  North  Adams  are  names  of  the  other  post  offices  in 
this  town. 

Religious  Societies.  The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Adams  Vil- 
lage, was  formed  as  a  Con^regaliunal  one,  July  1804,  by  Re\'.  E. 
Lazell,  oi'  4  males,  and  2  females.  In  1801,  divine  worsihip  had 
been  established  on  the  sabbath,  and  in  1802,  the  fiist  sermon 
was  preached  by  Kev.  Mr.  Woodward,  missionary.  Mr.  John 
Taylor  was  hired  a  shor.t  time  after,  and  in  1806,  Rev.  Phelps 
was  hired  to  preach  a  few  months.  On  the  31st  of  July  1811, 
Rev.  Chauncey  Cook  was  installed  first  pastor,  in  which  year  26 
were  added.  In  1815  the  pastor  left,  and  in  the  spring  of  1816, 
Mr.  Burt  was  hired  3  months.  Rev.  Mr.  Porter  was  then  em- 
ployed 2  years,  and  in  1818  Rev.  Enos  Bliss,  6  months.  In  IS19, 
40  were  added,  and  in  April  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gale  was  employed. 
Oct.  25,  1819,  he  was  installed  by  the  St.  Lawrence  Presbytery, 
and  in  1823  resigned.  During  Mr.  Gale's  ministry,  a  general 
revival  of  religion  occurred,  and  in  1822,  63  united  with  this 
church,  among  whom  was  Charles  G.  Finney,  who  has  since 
acquired  a  national  celebrity  as  an  evangelist,  and  is  now  presi- 
dent of  Oberlin  College.  He  had  previously  been  a  law  student, 
under  Judge  B.  Wright,  and  evinced  an  ability  and  sagacity, 
that  would  doubtless  have  made  him  eminent  in  that  profession. 
His  attention  is  said  to  have  been  turned  to  religious  subjects, 
under  the  preaching  of  the  Rev.  Jedediah  Burchard,  who  has 
attained  a  distinction  not  less  general  as  a  revival  preacher,  and 
of  whose  labors  we  shall  have  repeated  occasions  to  mention  in 
the  following  pages.  The  preaching  of  Mr.  Finney  has  been 
remarkable  for  the  boldness  and  originality  of  his  logic,  and  the 
strength  and  clearness  of  bis  arguments,  which  seldom  fail  to 
secure  the  undivided  attention  of  his  audience,  without  those 
extraneous  aidsto  excitement,  which,  in  the  hands  of  some,  have 
produced  analagous  results.  His  first  ministerial  labors  were 
performed  in  Lorraine,  and,  previous  to  his  commencing  his  career 
as  a  revival  preacher,  he  was  employed  at  Evans  Mills  and  else- 
where, as  a  stated  supply.  This  church  became  Presbyterian 
Jan.  29,  1821,  and  has  since  so  remained.  On  the  25th  of  Jan. 
1825,  the  Rev.  John  Sessions  was  installed  pastor  and  remained 
till  the  spring  of  1830.  Rev.  J.  Hart  was  hired  the  same  fall, 
and  in  1831,  a  period  of  great  religious  interest  occurred,  and 
many  were  added  to  the  church.    David  A.  Clark  was  in  1832 


Adami. 


77 


installed,  and  left  the  next  year.  Joseph  Myers,  Chas.  Jones, 
Dexter  Clary,  J.  H.  Carr,  R.  Richard  Kirk,  and  P.  C.  Headley 
have  since  been  employed,  the  latter  being  the  present  pastor.  The 
First  Congregational  Society  of  Adams  was  formed  Aug.  28, 
1805,  with  Jacob  Kellogg,  Eliphalet  Adams,  Elijah  Fox,  Daniel 
Comstock,  Preserved  Redway,  and  Simon  Meacham,  trustees.  A 
church,  30  by  40  feet,  was  built  soon  after  the  war,  and  opened 
1818;  it  was  afterward  used  by  the  Methodists,  until  burned  about 
a  year  since.  In  1826  the  present  church  was  commenced,  and 
dedicated  in  1827;  cost  |7000.  The  total  number  who  have 
united  with  this  church  is  about  600. 

A  Baptist  church  was  formed  at  the  house  of  David  Grommon, 
in  September,  1802,  and  on  the  13th  of  October,  1805,  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  first  administered.  In  June,  1806,  Elder  Timothy 
Heath  was  employed,  and  meetings  were  for  some  time  held  at 
his  house  and  barn;  and  on  the  14th  of  December,  1824,  a 
society  was  formed,  with  Daniel  Taloott,  Jacob  Heath,  and  Asa 
Lewis,  trustees.  In  the  same  year  a  church  was  built  one  mile 
from  Adams  Centre,  on  the  state  road,  and  in  1838,  their  present 
church  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,000.  Timothy  Heath, 
Joshua  Freeman,  Charles  Clark,  Thomas  Bright,  and  J.  J.  Teeple, 
have  been  successively  employed  as  pastors  of  this  church.  In 
1853,  a  portion  of  the  members  erected  a  meeting  house  at 
Adams  Centre,  and  have  organized  a  separate  society.  On  the 
30th  of  March,  1837,  a  Baptist  church  and  society  were  formed 
at  Adams  village,  with  Jesse  Wright,  Hannibal  Miller,  and  Spen- 
cer Woodward,  trustees;  but  no  church  was  built  until  1847,  when 
the  present  one  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $3,500,  and  dedicated 
in  January,  1848;  the  Rev.  Charles  Clark,  ^——  Hartson,  and 
M.  C.  Manning,  have  been  employed  as  ministers  by  this  church. 

The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Adams, 
was  formed  October  24,  1828;  the  ^rst  trustees  being  Laban 
Ross,  Philip  Younge,  David  Wright,  Zephania  Jacker,  Chester 
McKee,  Daniel  Dikeman,  and  John  Adams.  For  some  time  the 
Methodists  occupied  the  edifice  first  erected  by  the  Presbyterians, 
but  this  being  burned,  they,  in  the  summer  of  1853,  erected  in 
Adams  village  a  house  44  by  80  feet,  at  a  cost  of  about  $6000, 
including  the  site.  In  point  of  elegance  and  taste  this  edifice 
will  compare  favorably  with  any  of  the  dass  in  the  county. 
A  parsonage  was  built  adjoining,  the  same  season.  The  society 
had  been  reorganized  May  14,  1838. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  Society  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Smilhville  was  formed  October  31,  1844,  with  Horace 
Ivory,  John  Shanley,  John  D.  Gillett,  James  Morton,  and  John 
Briley,  trustees.    A  small  church  was'built  about  1845. 

In  1817,  one  or  two  families  of  Seventh  Day  Baptists,  removed 


rX- 


78 


i 


AdarM» 


from  Berlin,  N.  Y.,  to  Adams  Centre,  and  soon  held  meetings. 
On  the  5th  of  June  1822,  Wm.  B.  Maxson,  and  David  Coon, 
sent  for  the  purpose  from  Brookfield,N.  Y.,  ordained  Wra.  Green, 
and  June  9,  formed  a  church  of  10  males  and  1 1  females.  Jan- 
uary 3,  1836  a  society  was  formed,  with  Edward  Whitford, 
Elihu  Cleveland,  Joseph  S.  Maxson,  Asa  L.  Maxson,  Benjamin 
Maxson,  Charles  Greene,  Joseph  (irreene,  Jr.,  Job  Spencer,  and 
S.  Burdick  trustees,  who  erected  a  church  at  Adams  Centre, soon 
after.  This  body  belongs  to  the  Central  Seventh  Day  Baptist 
Association  of  New  York.  The  clergy  have  been,  Wm.  Greene, 
Eli  S.  Bailey,  Giles  M.  Langworthy,  Joel  Greene,  Alexander 
Campbell,  and  James  Summerbell;  and  by  their  report  of  1853, 
the  churdi  contained  196  members.  During  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Campbell,  the  church  was  divided. 

In  March,  1852,  seventeen  members  who  had  withdrawn  and 
had  been  excommunicated  from  the  latter,  were  formed  by  Rev. 
Alexander  Campbell  into  the  Independent  Seventh  Day  Baptist 
Church  of  Mams,  who,  the  same  year,  built  at  a  cost  of  $  1,300, 
a  church  in  the  south  part  of  Adams  Centre  Village,  which  was 
dedicated  December  15,  1852.  The  Evangelical  Seventh  Day 
Baptist  Society  was  formed  January  3,  1853,  with  H.  Bunce, 
Job  Spencer,  and  Joel  Saunders,  trustees.  Present  number  of 
church  (August  1853),  eighty-two.  The  Second  Congregational 
Church  of  North  Adams  was  formed  by  Rev.  D.  Spear,  at  the 
house  of  Roger  Reed,  November  1,  1809,  of  five  males  and  eight 
femalesj  and  their  first  pastor  was  Edward  W.  Rossiter,  who 
was  installed  November  11,  1818,  and  has  been  followed  by 
Abel  L.  Crandall,  D.  Spear,  Austin  Putnam,  P.  Cook,  and 
Lewis  M.  Shepard;  the  most  of  whom  preached  alternately 
here  and  at  Smithville.  The  latter  was  installed  July  19,  1848, 
and  remained  till  September  5,  1850,  since  which  there  has 
been  no  minister.  The  Society  of  this  church  was  formed  at 
the  house  of  Asher  Robbins,  December  5,  18 16,  of  which  John 
Barnard,  Asher  Robbins,  and  Ruel  Parsons,  were  trustees. 
January  28,  1817,  Simon  Read,  Daniel  Hall,  Jr.,  and  Amos  Bos- 
worth,  were  added  to  trustees. 

The  centre  of  the  society  being  found  to  be  a  mile  west  of 
North  Adams,  a  chuich  was  built  in  1818,  a<i(i  in  August,  1823, 
the  society  was  divided;  the  Smithville  Church  leaving  the 
meeting  house  with  the  Adams  portion,  who  removed  it  to  North 
Adams,  its  present  place.  Upon  removing  and  repairing  their 
church,  a  new  society  was  formed,  November  19,  1839,  with 
Heman  Colton,  Elisha  Reed,  and  Ephraim  Reed  trustees. 

Emanuel  Church  (Episcopal),  in  the  town  of  Adams,  was 
legally  formed  February  18,  1849,  the  Rev.  J,  M.  Bartlett  being 
rector.    Henry  B.  Whipple,  and  Wm.  Morton  Jot   «on  v^ere 


Alexandria. 


79 


chosen  wardens,  and  John  McCarty,  David  Gaylord,  Hiram 
Salisbury,  Philip  R.  Ward,  John  Wright,  Justus  Eddy,  Charles 
W.  Rodgers,  and  Thomas  Dobson,  vestrymen.  On  the  9th  of 
October,  1849,  the  corner  stone  of  a  church  "was  laid,  and  it  was 
completed  at  a  cost  of  over  $2,000.  The  Rev.  0.  E.  Herrick 
has  been  since  employed,  but  the  parish  is  now  vacant. 

Alexandria. 

This  town  was  erected  from  Brownville  and  Le  Ray,  April  3, 
1821,  by  the  same  act  that  formed  Philadelphia  and  Orleans, 
the  first  town  meeting  being  held  at  the  house  of  Wm.  Merrill. 
By  the  first  act  its  limits  included  Theresa.  An  act  of  Feb.  6, 
1840,  restored  to  the  town  of  Orleans  a  small  part  that  had  been 
annexed  to  the  latter. 

The  town  derives  i(s  name  from  Alexander,  a  son  of  J.  D. 
LeRay,  who  obtained  a  Colonel's  commission  in  the  Texan  revo- 
lution, and  fell  in  a  vluel  in  1836.  It  is  the  most  northern  town 
in  the  county,  and  lies  opposite  the  Thousand  Islands,  which 
here  present  the  most  delightlul  scenery. 

Supervisors. — 1829,  John  D.  Davidson;  1833-5,  Jason  Clarkj 
1836,  J.  D.  Davidson;  1837,  J.  Clark;  1838,  John  W.  Fuller; 
1839-40  Mithacl  Lewis;  1841,  Alexander  Salisbury,  at  a  spe- 
cial meeting  in  May,  J.  Clark;  1842,  J.  Clark;  1843-9,  Harvey 
D.  Parker;  1850,  Geo.  W.  Clark;  1851,  Moses  C.  Jcwett;  1852, 
H.  D.  Parker;  1853,  Andrew  Corn  well.  A  loss  of  the  early 
records  has  prevented  the  above  list  from  being  perfect. 

The  first  improvement  in  this  town  was  made  about  1811,  by 
Le  Ray,  who  caused  a  clearing  to  be  maile  at  Alexandria  Centre, 
and  this  plan  was  adopted  to  some  extent  in  Theresa,  to  afford 
facilities  to  first  settlers,  by  supplying  them  with  grain,  until  it 
coulil  be  raised  by  themselves.  He  paiti  !ftl2  per  acre  with  the 
ashes,  and  half  the  tirst  crop,  for  these  jobs,  and  built  a  log  barn. 
In  1811,  the  proprietors  made  the  Morris  and  Hammond  road, 
extending  from  Hammond  village  to  the  Red  Tavern,  near 
Theresa,  where  it  intersected  another  road,  from  the  river  to 
Philadelphia.  The  former  was  cleared  four  rods  wide,  bridged 
and  seeded  with  grass,  but  had  becoine  nearly  closed  up,  when 
it  was  reopened  as  a  parj  of  the  Military  Road,  in  1820-3. 

Cranberry  Creek,  about  three  miles  from  its  mouth,  was,  dur- 
ing the  war,  the  scene  of  an  engagement  that  will  be  detailed 
in  its  place.  Sales  of  land  commenced  in  this  town  and  Theresa 
in  1816,  under  Mr.  Le  Ray,  the  proprietor.  The  first  contracts 
were  made  payable  in  seven  years,  and  required  the  settlers,* 
within  one  year,  to  build  a  house,  equal  to  a  log  house  18  feet 
square,  and  to  clear  one  twenty-fifth  part  of  the. land  contracted, 
in  a  farmer-like  manner.    Prices  begun  at  $3,  and  after  1820, 


m 


Alexandria. 


mineral  reservations  were  inserted  in  contracts  and  deeds.  James 
Carnagie,  Samuel  Youngs,  Wm.  Martin,  Moses  George,  Leices- 
ter Hoadley, Root,  John  W.  Fuller,  Jerre  Carrier,  and  oth- 
ers, were  early  settlers.  The  town  continued  to  improve  rapid- 
ly until  1828,  when  a  sickly  season  checked  its  growth^,  and 
gave  it  a  reputation  from  which  it  was  slow  in  recovering.  Sev- 
eral incidents  are  related  of  this  town,  at  the  period  of  its  first 
settlement,  among  which  was  the  following  encounter  with  a 
panther,  in  1819,  as  related  by  Jairus  Rich,  the  hunter.  It  oc- 
curred near  Hyde  Lake,  about  three  miles  from  the  village  of 
Plessis.  He  had  set  his  traps  for  wolves,  and  had  arrived  within 
a  few  rods  of  one  of  them,  when  he  observed  a  panther  spring 
up  and  run  with  a  trap  to  one  of  his  hind  legs.  He  fired,  but 
missed  the  mark,  and  his  game  made  off  into  the  thicket,  when 
he  returned  to  a  house  nearly  a  mile  distant,  procured  a  small 
dog,  and  having  again  repaired  to  the  place,  and  stationed  him- 
self where  he  could  start  the  entrapped  animal,  he  observed  the 
head  of  a  panther  emerge  from  the  bushei^'  about  five  rods  dis- 
tant, upon  which  he  fired  and  killed  him  instantly.  He  soon 
found  that  this  was  not  the  one  in  the  trapj  and  i  heavy  shower 
of  rain  coming  on,  he  found  it  difficult  to  load  his  rifle  again, 
which  he  at  length  did.  The  dog,  meanwhile,  had  engaged  the 
other  panther,  upon  which  he  fiied  and  wounded  him,  and  find- 
ing he  could  not  reload,  on  account  of  the  rain,  he  threw  down 
his  piece,  and  seizing  his  hatchet,  sprung  upon  him,  when 
there  ensued  a  fearful  struggle,  in  which,  finally,  the  beast  got 
under,  with  one  of  the  man's  hands  in  his  mouth;  the  hatchet 
was  lost,  but  with  the  other  hand  he  drew  from  his  pocket  a 
knife,  opened  it  with  his  teeth,  and  finally  succeeded  in  cutting 
the  throat  of  the  ferocious  animal.  The  hunter  was  badly  torn, 
but  made  out  to  crawl  to  the  nearest  house,  where,  after  many 
weeks,  he  recovered,  but  carried  the  scars  of  the  conflict  with 
him  to  the  grave.  We  have  condensed  this  account  from  one 
published  soon  after  the  occurrence,  in  the  Independent  Republic 
can.  The  bounties  for  tlie  destruction  of  wild  animals  were  then 
so  great,  that  the  inducemenls  for  gain  led  to  ingenious  mea- 
sures for  securing  the  rewards,  and  it  is  related  of  the  same  per- 
son, that  having  trailed  a  she  wolf  to  her  den,  and  killed  her,  he 
found  in  her  cave  ten  young  whelps,  but  too  small  to  be  entitled 
to  the  bounty.  He  accordingly  built  a  pen  in  the  forest,  and  fed 
them  daily  upon  wild  meats  which  he  obtained  in  hunting,  un- 
til they  were  grown.  He  became  strongly  attached  to  one  of 
r  them,  who  would  follow  him  like  a  dog,  but  the  temptation  of 
$dO  was  too  strong  to  resist,  and  he  slew  his  favorite  pet,  to  gain 
the  premium. 

This  breeding  wolves  for  the  market,  had  its  parallel  in  an 


Alexandria. 


81 


instance  in  this  town,  in  which  a  hunter,  to  gain  the  reward  that 
might  be  offered  for  the  secret,  professed  to  know  of  a  salt  spring, 
to  which  he  was  induced  to  conduct  a  certain  person,  and  in 
which  he  had  a  little  previous  buried  a  bag  of  salt.  The  water 
being  duly  "analyzed,"  by  measuring,  evaporating,  and  weighing, 
a  purchase  of  nearly  800  acres  was  made,  without  a  knowledge 
of  the  spring  by  the  landholder,  nor  was  the  trick  discovered 
before  the  bargin  had  been  sealed  and  the  sale  perfected. 

Alexandria  Bay  was  selected  by  Cadwallader  Child,  in  1804, 
while  surveying  a  road  from  the  Friends  Settlement  to  the  St. 
Lawrence,  as  an  eligible  site  for  a  port,  and  accordingly  a  resoi- 
vation  of  a  mile  square  was  made  by  Mr.  Le  Ray,  for  a  village, 
which  was  surveyed  out  for  that  purpose  by  Edmund  Tucker, 
about  1818.    Mr.  Le  Ray  erected  a  tavern  and  ware  house,  and 
for  many  years  a  thriving  lumber  trade  was  carried  on,  which 
continued  as  long  as  the  supply  lasted.    This  consisted  of  oak 
staves,  and  square  oak, and  pine  timber.    A  considerable  amount 
of  valuable  timber  had  been  stolen  from  this  town,  in  common 
with  the  whole  front  of  the  state  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  before  there 
was  any  one  to  assert  the  title  of  the  proprietors.     The  lower 
wharf  at  this  place  was  built  by  Fuller  and  Walton,  in  1823,  and 
the  upper  one  by  Walton  and  Hamblin  in  1840.    The  port  has 
always  been  a  landing  place  for  the  American  steamers,  and  is 
an  important  wooding  station.  In  the  last  two  years  about  12,000 
cords  have  been  sold,  each  year.   A  custom  house  was  established 
at  this  port  in   1828,  subordinate  to  the  Cape  Vincent  district, 
while  John  B.  Esselstyn  was  in  charge  of  Ihat  office.     The  de- 
puties here,  have  been  Hiram  Davis,  Azsciah  Walton,  John  W. 
Fuller,  A.  Walton,  Edwin  Tanner,  and  Priirtin  J.  Hutchins,  the 
present  incumbent.     Mr.  Walton  has  held  the  office  18J  years, 
Fuller  I J  years,  and  Tanner  4  years.  For  iiiany  years  the  receipts 
of  the  office  did  not  pay  the  expense  of  collecting.  Sunken  Rock 
Light  House,  in  front  of  this  port,  wat  built  in  1847.  The  village 
o'i  Alexandria  Bay  contained  by  the  census  of  Mr.  Roitiers  in 
1850,  27  dwellings,  30  families,  and  164  inhabitants.     This  vi- 
cinity has  wiihinten  years,  become  a  fashionable  resort  for  fish mg 
parties,  and  the  romantic  scenery  of  the  islands  present  attractions 
for  those  who  take  pleasure  in  observing  the  quiet  and  beautiful 
in  nature,  which  has  scarcely  a  parallel.     Nor  is  the  geoloj^y  and 
natural  history  of  this  section  without  its  romance,  and  the  ob- 
server can  scarcely  advance  a  step,  \\/.hout  having  his  attention 
arrested  by  some  interesting  feature,  whi<h   affords  subjei-t  for 
thought  and  "admiration.     The  largest  island  before  this  town  is 
Wells  Island,  which  contains  8,068  acres,  and  in  1850  had  334 
inhabitants,  of  which  101  were  in  this  towh.    The  rock  forma- 
tion is,  like  most  of  the  Thousand  Isles,  primitive,  and  it  presents 


83 


Alexandria. 


a  fertile  soil,  and  its  vicinity  several  attractive  mineral  localities. 
Until  the  running  of  the  national  boundary,  the  British  exercised 
jurisdiction  over  most  of  the  islands,  including  this.  A  locality 
of  highly  chrystalized  mugnetic  iron  ore,  occurs  4  miles  above 
the  Bay,  and  1^  from  the  river,  which  has  been  purchased  and 
opened  to  some  extent  by  parties  in  Morristown.  Sufficient  labor 
has  not  been  expended  to  determine  its  extent  or  value. 

Plessis,  a  small  village,  midway  on  the  Alexandria  and  The- 
resa plank  road,  and  3  miles  from  Redwood,  derived  its  name 
from  a  place  in  France.  It  is  often  known  as  Flat  Rock,  from 
the  prevalence  of  the  Potsdam  ^ttlstone  formation  in  the  vi- 
cinity, which  presenls  a  considerate  surface  of  naked  rock.  In 
1817  Mr.  Le  Ray  erected  a  grist  mill  on  Plessis  Creek,  at  this 
place,  which,  having  been  purchased  by  W.  ShurtlifF,  and 
Jason  Clark,  was  in  1830  rebuilt.  A  store  had  been  opened 
by  Lull  and  Walton  in  1820,  but  the  place  increased  very 
flowly,  and  ten  years  alter  contained  but:  four  familes.  It  now 
contains  an  inn,  3  stores,  1  grist  mill,  3  saw  mills,  2  wagon  shops, 
2  blacksmiths  shops,  1  cabinet  shop  and  130  inhabitants.  John 
Powell  was  tried  lor  the  raunler  of  Wm.  Merrill  at  this  place,  in 
1826,  and  seiitence<l  to  14  years  imprisonment. 

Redivood,  a  small  village  near  the  line  of  The'esa,  owes  its 
origin  to  a  glass  factory,  established  by  John  3.  Ibster  who  for 
several  years  had  been  engaged  in  this  business  as  agent,  at  Bos- 
ton, Burlington,  Vt.  and  Ri-dlonl,  Clinton  County.  In  April  1&33, 
he  visited  the  county,  examined  several  localities,  and  finally  se- 
lected this,  which  i>  on  th'j  stream  connecting  Mud  and  Butter- 
field  lakes,  the  former  of  which  is  about  94  feet  abo\e  the  latter, 
aflbniinga  limited  amount  of  water  power,  that  had  several  years 
previous  been  improved  by  the  erection  of  a  saw  and  grist  n.i  1 
by  David  Smith  of  Adams.  Foster  contracted  with  EVancis 
Depau,  for  a  tract  of  about  10,000  acres,  as  agent;  borrowed 
several  thousand  dollars  of  Depau  and  the  same  summer  erected 
the  present  glass  factory,  and  on  the  30th  of  Sept.  1833,  the  first 
glass  was  made.  A  village  was  surveyed  by  Thomas  Clark,  and 
named  Jamesville,  but  Mr.  Foster  gave  the  place  the  present 
naii'C,  from  its  similarity  to  Redford,  his  late  residence,  in  hopes 
of  thus  being  able  to  compete  in  the  s.ile  of  glass  with  an  estab- 
lishment from  which  he  claimed  to  haveb^en  unjustly  discharged. 
His  death,  which  occurred  Jan  .2,  1834,  put  a  stop  to  operations, 
and  the  tract  and  improvements  according  to  the  contract,  revert- 
ed to  Depau.  The  factory  was  afterwards  run  by  Schmauss,  &  Co., 
Gerlach  &  Son,  ingleson,  Forbes  &  Co.,  H.  S.  White,  and  from 
1844  by  Zeng  &  Co.,  fiorn  the  Clyde  glass  factory.  This  firm  at 
first  consisted  of  Lawrence  W.  De  Zeng,  A.  Burlingame,  and 
Theodore  Hinman.    The  latter  was  succeeded  by  A.  Salisbury, 


Alexandria. 


83 


and  this  firm  continued  operations  till  July  1,  1853,  when  a  joint 
stock  company  of  $12,000  capital,  went  into  operation,  entitled 
the  Redwood  Glass  Manufacturing  Company. 

The  company  employs  about  30  men,  and  makes  $40,000 
worth  of  glass,  annually.  The  glass  is  sorted  into  qualities  as 
follows,  commencing  with  the  best;  viz.  Patent  1st;  Patent; 
Lake;  Cylinder;  Boston. 

The  material  for  these  various  qualities  is  the  same,  and  an 
effort  is  always  made  to  obtain  the  first  quality,  but  there  are  so 
many  contingencies  unavoidable  in  the  manufacture,  that  a  con- 
siderable portion  from  each  blowing  belongs  to  the  poorer  quali- 
ti'is.  The  sand  used  in  making  glass  is  procured  by  calcining 
and  crushing  the  Potsdam  sandstone  of  the  vicinity,  which  is 
found  to  afford  a  material  well  adapted  to  the  business.  The 
wholesale  prices  of  glass  vary  from  $2  to  $3  per  50  feet  for  the 
small  sizes.  The  three  better  qualities  alone  are  cut  to  large 
sizes,  the  prices  of  which  become  more  than  double,  as  the  di- 
mensions reach  26  by  36  inches  and  upwards.  The  labor  of 
blowing  into  cylinders,  flattening  and  cutting,  is  paid  by  the  100 
feet,  and  wages  vary  with  the  skill  and  luck  of  the  laborers, 
some  of  whom  receive  high  wages.  Redwood  has,  besides,  a 
Catholic  and  Episcopal  church,  two  inns,  three  stores,  one  grist- 
mill, two  saw-mills,  two  wagon  shops,  and  several  other  shops, 
with  water  power.  In  1850  it  had  58  families,  and  332  inhab- 
itants. It  is  on  the  Military  Road,  13  miles  from  Hammond,  and 
distant  7  miles  from  Alexandria  Bay,  3  from  Pkssis,  and  6  from 
Theresa.  Alexandria,  Alexandria  Centre,  Plessis  and  Redwood 
are  post  flffices  in  this  town.  The  Alexandrian  Library  was 
formed  June  2,  1823,  having  for  its  first  trustees  Jerre  Carrier, 
Willard  Merrick,  William  Merrill,  Hiram  Mills,  Jonathan  B. 
Thompson,  Joseph  Ingham,  Jr.,  Samuel  J.  Bingham,  Nathaniel 
Goodell,  Jacob  Elwood.     It  has  been  discontinued. 

This  town  set  a  commendable  example  by  the  holding  of  a 
town  fair  and  cattle  show,  for  the  encouragement  of  agriiullure, 
in  1838  and  1839,  the  first  of  which  was  held  at  Plessis,  ?ind 
tlie  tif Tond  at  Theresa  Falls,  then  in  Alexandria.  The  nctiue  of 
the  first  of  these  was  issued  in  March,  several  months  in  ad- 
vance, and  promised  the  distribution,  as  premiums,  of  not  less 
than  $130,  the  most  of  which  was  given  by  the  land  proprie- 
tors interested  in  the  town.  Mr.  Marshall,  agent  of  Depau,  was 
active  in  originating  the  first  fair,  while  the  second  was  a  popu- 
lar movement.    They  were  held  but  two  years. 

Religious  Societies. — The  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Alex- 
andria was  formed  at  Plessis,  August  II,  1821,  by  Rev.  Nathaniel 
Button,  and  consisted  of  seven  members.  The  clergy  since  em- 
ployed, have   been  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wm.  B.  Stowe,  John  Ses- 


fk 


Alexandria. 


sions,  Wm.  Chittenden,  Lewis  M.  Shepard,  L.  Wilcox,  Henry 
Smith,  and  C.  W.  Treadwell.  It  has  belonged  to  the  Water- 
town  Presbytery  since  February,  1823.  A  union  church  was 
built  in  Plessis,  in  1833,  at  a  cost  of  $2,100,  of  which  Francis 
Depau  gave  $1,000,  the  Antwerp  Company  $100,  and  citizens 
the  balance.  It  is  open  to  all  denominations  one  quarter  of  the 
time,  to  Presbyterians  one-half,  to  the  Free  Will  Baptists  one- 
eighth,  and  to  the  Universalists  one-eighth  of  the  time. 

A  Congregational  Society  was  organized  at  the  Bay,  in  1823, 
with  J.  Carrier,  N.  Goodale,  A.  Goddard,  Wm.  Merrill,  and  Jas. 
Carnigie,  trustees.  A  Methodist  Society  was  formed  Dec.  22, 
1835,  the  first  trustees  being  Samuel  J.  Brooks,  Alexander  Mor- 
gan, and  Benjamin  Barns.  This  denomination  has  a  chapel  at 
Alexandria  Centre,  which  was  erected  about  1839. 

St.  Peter's  Church  (Episcopal),  was  formed  at  Redwood,  Aug. 
12,  1850,  with  Daniel  Slack  and  Matthias  Harrison,  wardens; 
Richard  Gray,  L.  W.  DeZeng,  Chas.  Clark,  James  Wright,  and 
Josiah  Bucklee,  vestrymen.  Rev.  Wra.  Allen  Fisk  was  at  that 
time  missionary.  The  present  one  is  the  Rev.  B.  W.  Whitcher.  A 
small  Gothic  church  was  erected  in  1851,  after  the  designs  of  R. 
Upjohn  of  New  York.  The  church  now  reports  98  individuals. 
The  Baptists  have  two  organizations  in  town,  the  first  of  which 
began  to  report  to  the  B.  R.  Association  in  1830,  and  the  second 
in  1833.  Their  last  report  gave  21  and  34,  respectively,  and 
neither  have  a  house  of  worship.  The  Free  Will  Baptists  have 
an  organization  in  town,  but  their  numbers  are  much  reduced. 

St.  Francis'  Church  (Catholic),  was  erected  about  five  years 
since,  at  Redwood,  and  is  supplied  by  priests  from  Watertown 
and  Carthage. 

A  Reformed  Protestant  Dutch  Church  was  organized  at  Alex- 
andria Bay,  under  the  following  circumstances.  In  the  summer  of 
1846,  the  Rev.  George  W.  Bethune,  D.  D.,of  Brooklyn,  having 
occasion  to  spend  a  few  days  at  the  place,  and  learning  that 
among  a  scattered  population  of  2000,  on  the  island  and  main 
land,  there  was  no  place  of  woiship,  and  few  religious  opportu- 
nities, except  one  service  a  month  by  a  Methodist  circuit  preach- 
er, formed  the  plan  of  organizing  a  church  here.  He  called 
the  inhabitants  togt-:ther,  and  preached  to  them  on  the  sabbath, 
and  at  the  close  o(  the  s.ervice  he  suggested  to  them  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  sabbath  school,  promising  them  a  supply  of  books 
for  the  purpose.  The  suggestion  was  complied  with,  a  school 
opened,  40  or  50  scholars  gathered  into  it,  and  it  was  kept  up 
about  a  year.  In  1847,  the  Rev.  Jerome  A.  Davenport  was  in- 
duced by  Dr.  Belhune  to  visit  the  place  as  a  missionary,  being 
partially  .supported  by  a  few  friends  of  the  mission,  until,  in 
1850,  the  care  was  assumed  by  the  Board  of  Domestic  Missions, 


Antwerp. 


85 


of  that  order.  In  the  fall  of  1847,  Mr.  D.  raised  |1275,  in  New 
York,  Brooklyn,  and  adjacent  places,  and  $275  from  resi- 
dents at  the  Bay.  He  remained  three  years,  a  considerable  time 
abroad,  soliciting  aid,  and  in  the  fall  of  1848  the  erection  of  a 
church  was  begun,  and  May  25,  1851,  it  was  opened  for  wor^- 
ship.  It  is  of  stone,  35  by  55  feet,  and  has  a  truncated  tower  60 
feet  high.  It  will  seat  from  350  to  400  persons,  and  cost  $2,821- 
88,  besides  $170  for  a  bell,  of  which  all  but  $286*91  was  raised 
abroad.  Since  August,  1850,  the  Rev.  Anson  Du  Bois  has  had 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  church.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1651, 
the  church  was  regularly  lormeil,  the  Rev.  Charles  Wiley,  D.  D. 
being  present  as  a  committee  representing  the  Classis  of  Cayuga., 
It  consisted  of  13  members,  of  whom  5  were  males;  piesent 
number  20.  Alva  Ford  and  James  Wadsworlh  were  appointed 
elders  and  deacons,  and  the  organization  was  named  The 
Church  of  the  Thousand  Isles.  The  sites  for  a  church  and  par- 
sonage were  given  by  the  heirs  of  Depau,  and  a  parsonage  was 
built  in  1852,  at  a  cost  of  $800. 

Antwerp. 

This  town  was  formed  from  Le  Ray,  with  its  present 
limits,  April  5th,  1810,  to  take  effect  on  the  1st  of  January 
following.  A  part  of  Lewis  County  was  annexed  to  Jefferson 
by  the  same  act.  The  first  town  meeting  was  directed  to  be 
held  at  the  house  of  Francis  McAllaster. 

Supervisors. — 1811-7,  Daniel  Heaki;  1818-9,  SilviusHoard; 
1820--2,  John  Howe;  1823-4,  S.  Hoar<l;  1825-6,  J.  Howe; 
iS27,  Joseph  H.  Bagg;  1828,  Ralph  Rogers;  1829,  William 
Skinner;  1830-2,  Rufus  H.  King;  1833-4,  David  McAllaster; 
1835,  R.  H.  King;  1836,  Edward  Fowler;  1837-8,  Tilley  R. 
Pratt;  1839,  R.  H.  King;  1840,  William  McAllaster;  1841-2, 
James  White;  1843,  Alanson  Drake;  1844-9,  Alden  Adams; 
1850-1,  Joseph  H.  White;  1852,  Josiah  S.  Conkey;  1853, 
John  H.  Conklin.  The  town  is  named  from  Antwerp  in  Belgium, 
the  seat  of  the  Antwerp  Company. 

Motes  from  the  Town  Records,  1811. — "  Resolved,  that  there 
be  five  dollars  raised  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the  animal 
woolf,  by  a  majority  of  said  meeting,  and  payed,  for  each  full 
grown  woolf  caught  and  killed  in  said  town  the  ensuing  year." 
The  same  bounty  in  1812-3.  In  1816,  a  bounty  of  $1  was 
offered  for  foxes,  and  25  cents  for  hen  hawks,  but  these  were 
repealed  the  next  year.  In  1835,  a  crow  bounty  of  1  shilling 
was  offered.  In  1827-8  and  1837-8,  wolf  bounties  of  $10. 
In  1839,  of  $15;  in  1841-2-3-4,  wolf  bounties  of  $20.  In 
1840-1,  crow  bounties  of  1  shilling. 


86 


Antwerp. 


On  the  2d  of  July,  1812,  a  special  meeting  \7as  called  to  take 
measures  considered  necessary  in  consequence  of  the  war. 
Their  proceedings  are  recorded  as  follows: 

"At  a  convened  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Antwerp,  county  of  Jefferson,  for  the  purpose  of  making  fortifi- 
cation against  an  expected  enemy,  the  following  resolutions 
were  passed.  Resolved,  That  Samuel  Randall,  town  clerk,  shall 
be  made  moderator.  Resolved,  That  there  be  built  a  fort,  36  by 
20,  the  lower  story,  and  upper  40  by  22,  for  the  security  of  the 
inhabitants  of  said  town.  Resolved,  that  it  be  set  north  of 
Indian  River  30  rods,  in  front  of  Sylvius  Hoard's  house."  John 
Howe,  Silas  Ward,  and  Oliver  Hoard,  were  appointed  a  building 
committee,  50  cents  were  to  be  allowed  for  a  day'?  work,  to  be 
paid  by  a  tax. 

On  the  17th  of  July,  another  special  meeting  was  held,  at  the 
request  of  the  cominissioners  and  supervisor  of  the  town,  for 
the  purpose  of  devising  **  a  proper  method  for  our  defense, 
through  a  tragedy  of  war  which  is  now  beginning  action 
between  the  United  Stales  and  Great  Britain,"  and  according  to 
law,  notice  was  given  to  ihe  inhabitants,  for  the  said  meeting  to 
be  held  at  the  house  of  Francis  McAllasti-r,  inn  keeper.  A 
similar  series  ot  resolutions  were  passed,  with  the  additional 
clause  requiring  the  laborers  on  the  fort  to  work  for  50  cents  per 
day  and  board  themselves. 

In  1813,  a  town  law  was  passed,  requiring  the  registry  of 
births  and  deaths,  and  this  commendable  practice  was  maintained 
several  years.  In  1816,  a  committee  consisting  of  John  Howe, 
Silvius  Hoard,  and  Samuel  Randall,  were  appointed  to  take 
charge  of  the  church  when  completed.  This  was  the  present 
brick  church,  erected  at  the  expense  of  David  Parish,  for  the 
use  of  the  town,  at  a  cost  of  $9692-26. 

In  1825,  the  following  extraordinary  bounty  was  offered  by 
the  town.  "And  it  is  further  ordained  and  declared  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  that  if  any  person  or  per.sons  not  exceeding 
four  in  number,  being  inhabitants  of  said  town  of  Antwerp,  shall 
devise,  discover,  or  perceive,  any  certain  and  sure  plan,  method, 
or  device,  for  effectually  destroying  and  eradicating  the  Canada 
thistle  from  the  land,  such  persons  shall  each  be  entitled  to  receive 
from  the  said  town,  the  sum  of  $10."  At  the  same  meeting  it 
was  resolved  that  the  annual  town  meeting  should  annually 
thereafter,  be  held  alternately  at  Indian  River  and  Ox  Bow 
villages.  For  several  years  these  have  been  held  at  Antwerp 
village  only. 

The  first  settler  in  this  town,  is  said  to  have  been  Capt.  Wra. 
Lee,  who  in  1803,  located  on  the  old  state  road,  three  miles 
north  of  Antwerp  village,  where  he  was  induced  to  open  an  inn 


Antwerp. 


87 


for  the  accommodation  of  the  settlers  then  passing  through  into 
St.  Lawrence  County.  The  town  had  been  early  purchased  by 
Gen.  Lewis  R.  Morris,  )f  Springfield,  Vt.,  who  at  one  time  de- 
signed settling  at  the  present  village  of  Ox  Bow,  where  he  made 
a  small  clearing  and  erected  a  log  house.  Under  his  direction 
the  town  began  to  settle. 

In  the  spring  of  1806,  Silas  Ward  commenced  the  erection  of 
a  saw  mill  at  the  present  village  for  Morris,  which  was  the  first 
improvement  here,  and  the  place  acquired  and  long  maintained 
tbe  name  of  Indian  River,  by  which  name  it  is  still  known  by 
old  settlers.  It  being  at  ihe  point  where  the  state  road  crossed 
the  river,  and  affording  a  good  v^ater  power,  the  place  was 
naturally  destined  to  become  the  centre  of  business  for  the  sur- 
round'ig  country.  In  the  winter  of  1^05,  a  road  was  opened 
from  Philadelphia  to  this  place  and  Ox  Bow,  and  the  next  year 
to  Gouverneur,  which  began  to  settle  at  about  this  time.  Ger- 
shoni  Matoon  kept  the  first  inn  at  the  village.  In  Jan.  1807, 
JohnJenison,  was  appointed  a  local  agent,  under  whoi>e  direction 
a  grist  mill  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  present  clothing  works. 
The  land  books  show  the  following  names  of  setflers,  with  the 
dates  of  their  purchase:  1805,  Wra.  Lee.  1806,  John  Bethel, 
John  Robinson,  Peter  Vrooman,  Edward  Foster,  Jr.,  Mary  Stir- 
ling, Benajah  Randall,  John  Jenisori,  Peter  Raven,  Hopestill 
Foster  and  John  i\  Foiiter.  1807,  Zebulon  Rockwell,  Samuel 
Griswold,  David  Coffeen,  Zopher  Holden.  1808,  Samuel  Ran- 
dall, Zebina  Bishop,  Mary  Bishop,  Alfred  Walker,  Daniel  Gill, 
Wra.  Fletcher.  1809,  Rich'd  McAllaste.\  lexter  Gibbs,  Shere- 
biah  Gibbs,  Jonathan  Marbles,  Isaac  L.  .Mjichoock,  Timothy 
Ruggles,  Jesse  Jacliion,  T>aniel  Heald,  John  Pease.  1810, 
Ainasa  Sartwell,  Almond  Be  cher,  Wm.  i^'letcher,  Dulhan  Kings- 
bury, Harrison  Mosley.  18 11,  Oliver  Howell,  Lemuel  Hubbard, 
Anson  Cummlngs,  John  White,  Lwi  Whoelotk.  1812,  Wm. 
Harri,  Wra.  McAllaster,  Daniel  Sterling,  Salmon  While,  War- 
ren Streeter,  Wm.  Randall,  Elkanah  Patt  idge,  Ira  Ward,  Asher 
Seymour,  Roswell  Wilder,  Btnj.  Goodwin,  Elliot  Lynde,  Daniel 
Gill,  Caleb  Cheney,  Henry  C.  Baldwin,  James  Briggs,  Silas 
Brooks,  Shailer  Beck  with,  Silas  Ward,  Ezra  Church.  In  1808, 
David  Parish,*  an  eminent  banker  of  Hamburgh,  made  exten- 
sive purchases  in  Northern  New  York,  incl'idirig  29,033  acres 
in  this  town.  Mr.  Jenison  was  continued  ui  the  agency  until 
succeeded  by  Sylvius  Hoard.  In  April,  1824,  ibe  present  agent, 
Mr.  Wm.  McAllaster  was  appointed. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Parish  had  purchased,  the  greatest  alarm  was 
spread  through  the  settlement  of  Antwerp   and  Rossie,  by  the 


*  A  biographical  sketch  of  Mr,  David  ^     s 
given  in  the  Hist.  St.  Lawrence  and  Fran),  i  ^ 


.  'id  ^is  brother  George,  ar« 
i,p.  COO. 


m^ 


I « 


Antwerp, 


iniRriipresentations  of  a  vicious  minded  person,  vrf  ^ad  previ- 
ously been  employed  as  an  affent  for  selling  one  of  m.'  'ownshius 
01  St  Lawrence  County,  anu  had  deliberately  perpetialed  a  vil- 
liarily  in  the  execution  of  his  trusts,  for  which  there  was  no 
init'ly  redress.  With  no  assignable  motive  but  a  morbid  love 
of  mischief,  he  visited  seme  of  the  settlers,  and  announced  that 
thiy  had  now  changed  masters,  and  would  soon  know  what  it 
was  to  be  in  the  hands  of  a  tyrant;  that  their  dues  would  be  ex- 
acted with  vigor,  and  forthwith,  or  they  would  be  stripped  of 
theii  property  and  turned  off  destitute  from  their  homos.  This 
alarming  announcement,  coming  from  one  who  figured  largely 
in  public  aflciirs,  8piead  an  alarm  through  the  settlement,  and 
when  they  \;ere  shortly  after  viaited  by  Mr.  Joseph  Rosseel, 
agent  of  the  new  purchaser,  the  excitement  was  intense.  He 
iuunediately  set  himself  ut  work  in  restoring  confidence  with  the 
people,  visited  them  in  their  houses,  shared  in  their  homely  tare, 
entered  into  all  their  little  plans  and  amusements,  attended  their 
parties,  and  by  a  persevering  course  of  familial  ity  and  kindness, 
soon  succeeded  in  counteractmg  the  mischief  which  the  slander- 
ous villian  had  occasioned. 

On  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Parish,  he  visited  every  family,  and  as- 
sured them  that  they  might  depend  upon  any  indulgence  that 
might  br  1  e.'isonably  asked.  The  sincerity  of  this  promise  they 
newr  fo',iin<!  ixason  to  distrust. 

Mr  P.DiV  ;idopted  the  plan  of  giving  contracts  entitling  to 
deeds  wcm  payment,  while  Morris  had  commenced  giving  deeds, 
and  taking  back  mortgages.  The  early  sales  were  conditioned 
to  the  clearing  of  a  certain  portion  of  land,  and  the  erection  of  a 
house,  and  shortly  after  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  town  began 
to  be  known,  a  clause  was  inserted  in  the  contracts,  reserving  all 
mines  of  iron,  copper,  and  lead.  The  foim  of  reservation  now 
adopted  was  drawn  up  with  the  counsel  of  several  eminent  law- 
yers, and  is  as  follows:  "  And  such  conveyance  thereof,  to  con- 
tain an  express  exception  and  reservation,  of  all  mines  or  ores 
of  iron,  copper,  or  lead,  plumbago,  zinc,  tin  and  silver,  and  all 
beds  of  coal,  marble,  gypsum,  copper  and  waterlimestone,  and 
all  mineral  springs,  which  m^y  be  upon,  under,  or  within,  the 
limits  of  the  said  above  described  parcel  of  land;  and  also  an  ex- 
press reservation  to  the  grantor,  to  be  threin  named,  and  to  his 
and  their  heirs  and  assigns  forevsr,  of  the  right  and  privilege  to 
search  and  dig  on  any  and  every  part  of  the  said  premises,  for 
such  minerals,  or  ores,  and  if  found,  to  raise,  wash,  remove  and 
take  away  the  same  to  his,,  ot  their  own  benefit,and  to  use  and 
employ  all  proper  means  for  these,  or  any  of  these  purposes:  the 
said  grantor  covenanting,  or  agreeing,  on  his  part  and  b^^balf, 
to  make  just,  reascnable  and  full  compensation,  to  *  *  *  for  all 


Antwerp. 


69 


such  damage,  if  any,  as  he,  or  they  may  sustain,  by  reason  of 
any  such  search  or  digginK,  whether  in  respect  to  any  dwell- 
uig,  or  other  buildings,  or  improvements  on  the  sauilands,  or  in 
respect  to  the  cultivation  of  the  same  in  consequence  of  any  injury 
to  the  soil  thereof." 

The  following  table  will  sh( w  the  '•ite  at  which  the  Parish 
tract  in  this  town  has  been  settled  nt  ^very  .icre  of  which, 
has  been  either  deeded  or  contracted. 


Acres  Con. 

Sums  Due. 

X     "on.    Sums  Due. 

1826. 
1830. 
1835. 
1840. 

10,351, 
13,494, 
13,193, 
16,782, 

$44,761. 
54,370. 
64,343. 
94,337. 

1^ 

18,   '. 
1853. 

^84,    $93,769. 
30,      57,647. 
J9,      38,039. 

At  present  rates,  the  town  will  be  entirely  settled  up  at  the 
land  office  in  seven  or  eight  years. 

In  1808,  a  party  of  militia,  under  Captain  Timothy  Tamblin, 
was  stationed  near  the  intersection  of  the  two  great  roads 
leading  into  St.  Lawrence  County,  a  mile  north  of  the  village, 
to  prevent  smuggling  under  the  embargo  law.  There  was  much 
opposition  both  in  theory  and  practice  to  this  law.  An  instance 
is  related  in  which  a  practical  joke  of  a  somewhat  serious  nature, 
was  played  off  upon  one  of  these  guardians  of  the  national 
welfare.  A  person  to  whom  the  law  was  odious,  having  set  a 
trap  in  his  sleigh,  and  placed  around  it  a  loading  calculated  to 
convey  the  impression  that  they  were  smuggled  goods,  ap- 
proached the  guard,  but  warned  those  on  duty  to  keep  away 
from  his  load,  or  they  would  get  into  trouble.  Not  deterred  by 
this  threat,  one  of  the  guard  proceeded  rudely  to  overhaul  the 
sleigh,  to  ascertain  its  contents,  and  was  soon  convinced  that  it 
at  least  concealed  a  trap,  for  it  sprung  upon  his  hand,  at  which 
the  driver  gave  reins  to  his  team  and  drove  off  exclaiming: 
"I've  caught  a  Democrat!"  Soon  after  the  news  of  the  war 
reached  the  town,  the  inhabitants  concerted  measures  for  self- 
protection  by  building  a  block  house,  which  stood  in  the  street, 
in  front  of  T.  R.  Pratt's  present  hotel.  It  was  used  a  short 
time  by  the  inhabitants,  but  the  terror  which  the  news  of 
war  first  occasioned  soon  subsided,  and  it  was  demolished. 
During  the  war,  a  company  of  regular  troops  was  stationed  a 
little  north  of  Antwerp  Village,  to  prevent  smuggling  into  the 
country  from  Canada.  The  inducements  which  led  to  this  were 
so  strong,  that  much  ingenuity  was  exercised  in  evading  the 
vigilance  of  sentinels,  and  sometimes  with  great  success.  Five 
or  six  sleigh  loads  of  tea,  had  on  a  certain  occasion  been  got  to 
within  three  or  four  miles  of  Antwerp,  having  passed  thus  far 
without  suspicion  from  the  tea  being  packed  in  bags,  like  grain 
7 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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12.0 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WnSTH.N.Y.  MStO 

(716)S72-4S03 


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90 


Antwerp. 


on  its  vray  to  market.  To  evade  the  military  guard  that  ob- 
structed the  road,  the  following  stratagem  was  adopted.  Captain 
B.  who  had  charge  of  the  company,  was  invited  to  a  whist 
party  at  Cook's  '^avern,  three  miles  north  of  Antwerp,  at 
which  place,  during  the  evening,  a  large  party  of  boys  and 
young  men  assembled,  with  no  apparent  object  but  to  spend  the 
evening  in  carousing,  drinking  and  card  playing.  Brandy  cir- 
culated freely,  and  the  revels  continued  till  a  late  hour  in  the 
night,  when  the  captain  and  his  party  set  out  to  return  in  a 
sleigh  closely  followed  by  the  loads  of  tea,  thickly  covered  by  a 
disorderly  crowd,  who  by  singing,  shouting,  quarreling,  and 
fighting,  made  the  night  hideous  with  unearthly  discords,  and 
would  readily  pass  as  a  half  drunken  rabble  returning  from  a 
midnight  revel.  The  captain,  who  was  himself  rather  more 
than  half  intoxicated,  entered  with  spirit  into  the  merriment  of 
the  others,  and  as  the  train  approached  the  sentinels,  he  shouted: 
"Its  Captain  5.,  let  my  company  pass."  The  order  was  obeyed, 
and  the  disorderly  mob  passed  on,  and  having  got  beyond  reach 
of  danger,  they  left  the  teams  to  pursue  their  course  in  quiet, 
and  in  due  time  boasted  of  the  success  of  their  stratagem. 

In  Deceinber  1816,  preparations  were  begun  under  direction 
of  Parish,  for  the  erection  of  a  forge,  on  Indian  River,  a  mile 
above  Antwerp  Village.  A  road,  a  dam,  a  forge,  and  a  house, 
were  built  soon  after,  and  the  forge  continued  two  or  three  years 
with  no  profit.  In  1824  a  distillery  was  commenced  at  the  same 
place,  and  kept  in  operation  from  1825,  till  the  death  of  George 
Parish  in  1839,  running  mostly  during  the  fall,  winter  and  spring 
months,  and  consuming  from  Jan.  1826  till  May  1839  (except 
1829,  30,  during  a  part  of  which  years  it  was  not  run)  72,1 14 
bushels  of  corn,  40,074  of  rye,  4,423  of  rye  malt,  2,370  of  rye 
flour,  663  of  barley  malt,  108  of  crushed  barley,  and  4,899  pounds 
of  hopj,  and  making  more  than  half  a  million  of  gallons  of  proof 
whiskey.  From  50  to  125  head  of  cattle  were  .fattened  here 
annually  during  the  winter  months,  and  in  the  summv^r  sometimes 
a  large  number  of  swine.  Corn  and  rye  were  purchased  at  from 
56  ts.  to  a  dollar  a  bushel,  the  average  being  about  6o  cts.,  and 
barlev  at  xcom  75  cts.  to  a  dollar.  These  works  were  erected 
an(^  superintended  by  Wm.  McAUaster,  as  agent  for  Geo.  Parish, 
avid  afforded  a  home  market  for  grain  and  cattle,  which  enabled 
farmers  to  pay  for  their  lands  much  sooner  than  would  otherwise 
have  been  possible,  although  the  pernicious  influence  of  this 
business  upon  the  public  morals,  has  doubtless  been  much  greater 
than  the  benefits  conferred. 

In  1834  a  grist  mill  was  built  by  Mr.  Parish,  near  the  distillery, 
which  with  the  adjacent  property  was  purchased  by  James  Ster- 
ling, in  1846,  and  a  furnace  erected  28  feet  square,  and  32  feet 


Antwerp, 


di 


high,  which  was  at  first  fitted  for  the  hot,  but  which  has  since 
1849  been  run  with  the  cold  blast.  It  has  been  run  upon  ore 
from  the  Sterling  mine  in  this  town,  only  so  much  of  other  qua- 
lities of  ore  being  used  as  is  necessary  for  its  proper  reduction. 
Castings  have  not  been  made  at  the  furnace,  but  a  foundry  has 
been  got  in  operation  near  by,  under  the  direction  of  other  parties. 
This  locality  is  about  four  miles  from  the  mine,  from  which  ore 
is  drawn  at  5C  cts.  per  ton.  A  small  village  has  grown  up  around 
the  premises,  which  has  acquired  the  local  name  of  Sterlingburgh. 
There  are,  besides  the  furnace  and  mills,  a  plaster  mill,  and  a 
few  shops  and  dwellings. 

Antwerp  Village  is  6  miles  from  Philadelphia,  10  from  The- 
resa, 7  from  Ox  Bow,  7  from  Somerville,  16  from  Carthage,  8 
from  Sterlingville,  13  from  Great  Bend,  and  22  from  Watertown. 
The  Potsdam  and  Watertown  rail  road,  now  building,  passes 
through  the  village,  and  it  has  plank  roads  Ieadii?gto  Gouverneur, 
Rossie,  Greet  Bend,  and  Carthage,  each  of  which  connect  with 
others 

The  Village  of  Antwerp  "was  incorporated  under  the  general 
act,  in  pursuance  of  an  order  of  the  court  of  sessions,  and  con- 
firmed at  a  special  election,  held  July  30,  1853,  by  a  vote  of  53 
to  3.  The  limits  of  the  corporation  embrace  660  acres  of  land. 
There  are  in  the  village,  churches  of  the  Baptist,  Catholic,  and 
Presbyterian  orders,  three  hotels,  six  or  seven  stores,  a  great  va- 
riety of  mechanics,,  and  about  500  inhabitants. 

The  village  of  Ox  Boio,  near  the  north  line  of  the  town,  is 
pleasantly  situated  on  a  remarkable  bend  of  the  Oswegatchie 
River,  which  gives  name  to  the  place.  The  first  settler  here  was 
Peter  Vrooman,  from  Johnstown,  who  located  on  the  old  state  road, 
in  the  north  part  of  the  village,  about  1803.  From  its  being  at 
the  convergen(Jfe  of  several  important  roads,  which  the  natural 
features  of  the  country  compelled  to  pass  he  e,  it  has,  without 
other  advantages,  become  a  small  village  of  two  inns,  two  stores, 
a  few  mechanic  shops,  and  forty  or  fifty  families.  It  has  a  church, 
belonging  to  the  Associate  Reformed  order.  The  scenery  around 
this  village  is  remarkably  fine,  and  the  shores  of  neighboring 
lakes,  possess  a  romantic  interest  from  the  numerous  problems  in 
geology  that  they  present.  As  an  inviting  field  for  the  collection 
of  minerals,  this  vicinity  is  unrivalled,  and  in  our  chapter  on  the 
mineral  resources  of  the  county,  the  species  and  varieties  found 
here,  will  be  enumerated.  This  village  is  on  the  plank  road, 
between  Antwerp  and  Hammond,  and  is  the  terminus  of  one 
leading  to  Evans'  Mills  and  Watertown.  It  is  7  miles  from  Rossie, 
10  from  Theresa,  16  from  Evans'  Mills,  11  from  Philadelphia,  7 
from  Antwerp,  4  from  Somerville,  and  8  from  Gouverneur,  by  way 
of  Wegatchie,  or  Church's  Mills.    About  half  a  mile  from  the 


03 


Antwerp. 


Tillage,  on  the  plank  road  towards  Evans'  Mills,  [is  a  singular 
precipice  of  gneiss  rock,  sixty  or  seventy  feet  high  and  quite 
perpendicular,  upon  the  face  of  \vhich  is  the  section  of  a  remark- 
able excavation,  similar  to  the  pot  holes  found  in  lime  stone 
rocks,  and  worn  by  the  rotation  of  pebbles  in  water.  The  fol- 
lowing figure  from  Prof.  Emmons's  report  on  the  geology  of  the 
2nd  district,  represents  accurately  the  shape  of  the  excavation, 
but  fails  to  impart  an  adequate  idea  of  the  grandeur  of  the  as- 
sociated scenery. 


f  i 


Pulpit  Rock,  near  Ox  Bow. 

When  the  settlements  were  new,  meetings  were,  it  is  said,  held 
at  the  foot  of  this  cliff,  the  cavity  serving  as  a  pulpit,  from 
whence  was  derived  the  name. 

For  mineral  wealth,  Antwerp  stands  unrivaled  in  the  county. 
Being  underlaid  mostly  by  primary  rock,  and  the  border  of  the 
lowest  sedimentary  formations,  it  allbrds  at  several  points,  mines 
that  are  wrought  with  great  profit,  aiid  at  others,  strong  indica- 
tions of  ores  which  have  not  been  yet  explored.  Of  minerals  in- 
teresting to  the  man  of  science,  but  without  practical  value,  the 
number  is  large.  So  much  as  relates  to  the  history  of  these 
mines  will  be  given  here,  while  their  geological  relations  will 
be  detailed  in  our  chapter  on  that  subject. 


Antwerp. 


93 


singular 
nd  quite 
remark- 
me  stone 
The  fol- 
yy  of  the 
[.•avation, 
f  the  as- 


said,  held 
|lpit,  Irom 

le  county. 
Ider  of  the 
|nts,  mines 
dp;  indica- 
erals  in- 
/alue,  the 
of  these 
Vtions  will 


A  quarry  was  opened  in  a  ledge  of  gneiss,  on  the  old  state  road, 
between  Mr.  Cook's  place,  and  Ox  Bow,  in  1805,  by  David  Cof- 
feen,  and  James  Parker,  for  the  manufacture  of  mill  stones.  The 
business  was  followed  more  or  less,  a  part  of  each  year,  till  about 
1828,  during  which  time  nearly  100  pair  were  made,  and  sold  in 
adjoining  counties,  or  sent  westward.  The  price  of  a  pair  ready 
for  hanging,  was  generally  $100.  Boulders  of  gneiss,  were  often 
used  in  making  mill  stones  in  the  county,  at  an  early  day,  some 
of  which  were  found  to  answer  a  good  purpose. 

Specular  iron  ore,  had  been  wrought  in  the  adjoining  town  of 
Rossie,  since  1812,  and  many  unsuccessful  expenditures  had  been 
made  in  this,  when,  in  1836,  a  locality  was  reported  to  have  been 
found  on  an  island  in  the  midst  of  a  swamp,  on  the  farm  of  Hope- 
still  Foster,  3  miles  north  of  Antwerp  Village.  This  was  covered 
by  the  landlord's  reserve,  but  from  the  unsuccessful  issue  of  all 
former  trials  in  this  town,  Mr.  Parish  attached  but  little  import- 
ance to  the  discovery,  and  for  $200  sold  his  interest  to  James 
Sterling,  and  others.  This,  upon  opening,  has  proved  a  mine  of 
immense  value,  yielding  ore  of  rich  quality,  and  in  unknown 
amount.  The  statistics  of  this  mine  can  not  be  accurately  ob- 
tained, but  it  has  mainly  supplied  the  furnace  at  Sterlingville 
since  1837,  that  at  the  distillery,  since  1846,  and  for  a  year  or 
two  another  at  Sterlingsburh  (Louisburgh),  Lewis  County,  be- 
longing to  Mr.  Sterling.  The  ore  is  wrought  by  men  hired  by 
the  month,  and  the  mine  is  opened  to  the  day.  It  is  drained  by 
horse  pumps,  but  from  its  being  surrounded  by  swamp,  will  always 
be  incommoded  by  water,  especially  when  the  mine  is  sunk  to  a 
considerable  depth.  It  has  not  hitherto  been  necessary  to  elevate 
the  ore  by  machinery.  About  a  half  a  mile  south  of  this,  is 
another  mine,  belonging  to  Parish,  known  as  the  White  ore  bed^ 
from  the  owner  of  the  farm  where  it  occurs.  One  mile  from 
Antwerp  Village,  on  the  farm  of  Nathan  W.  Ward,  is  another, 
which  has  been  known  to  exist  many  years,  but  has  been  only 
worked  since  1852.  From  700  to  800  tons  have,  it  is  said,  been 
taken  from  this  mine. 

On  the  farm  of  Hiram  B.  Keene,  a  short  distance  from  the 
county  line,  and  in  the  same  range  with  the  great  mines  in  Ros- 
sie, and  Gouverneur,  there  were  found  about  1837,  indications 
that  led  to  the  discovery  of  a  mine,  on  land  not  covered  by  reserve. 
It  was  traced  into  a  neighboring  field,  of  i^hich  the  land  holder 
held  the  reserve,  and  heavy  mining  operations  have  been  since 
conducted  on  both  sides  of  the  line  but  most  extensively  on  that 
owned  by  Parish.  The  ore  here  dips  at  an  angle  of  about  forty 
five  degrees,  and  is  overlaid  by  a  coarse  sandstone,  that  is  sup- 
ported by  huge  masses  of  ore,  left  by  the  miners.  This  mine  is 
the  only  one  of  iron  in  this  section  of  the  state,  that  is  wrought 


94 


Antwerp. 


under  ground  by  lamps.    The  portion  first  discovered,  has  ber.i 
lately  sold  for  $3000. 

Marble  of  a  coarse  texture,  but  suited  for  many  purposes  of 
architecture,  occurs  in  vast  quantities  in  Antwerp,  but  no  ellort 
lias  hitherto  been  made  to  turn  it  to  a  useful  account,  further 
than  as  a  material  for  lime,  and  a  flux  for  iron  ores.  Black  and 
variegated  Rensselaerite,  and  Serpentine,  of  fine  quality,  occur 
in  town,  and  may  hereafter  be  brought  into  use  as  ornamental 
marbles.  Indications  of  copper  ore  have  been  found,  but  none 
in  profitable  quantities.  Potsdam  sandstone  of  a  quality  suited 
for  the  liring  of  furnaces,  has  been  wrought  extensively  for  this 
purpose  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Keene,  near  the  north  line  of  the 
town.  This  town  has  three  post  offices,  viz:  Jlntwerp,  Ox  Bow 
and  Bentley's  Comers,  the  latter  being  on  the  Ox  Bow  and 
Evans'  Mills  Plank  Iload,  four  miles  from  the  former  place. 

The  Antwerp  Delphic  Library  was  formed  March  13,  1832, 
with  Charles  B.  Hoard,  Wm.  McAUaster,  R.  N.  Randall,  Sam'l 
Gains,  and  Levi  Miller,  trustees.  It  has,  like  most  others  of 
the  class,  been  given  up,  since  the  formation  of  school  district 
libraries. 

Religious  Societies.  The  first  bouse  of  worship  in  town,  and 
the  second  one  in  the  county,  was  built  of  brick,  in  the  village 
qf  Antwerp,  at  the  sole  expense  of  Mr.  Parish,  in  1816-17,  and 
\^&s  for  many  years  occupied  by  different  denominations.  In 
March,  1849,  it  was  sold  to  the  Catholics,  for  $600,  and  has 
since  been  used  by  them  alone.  Our  statistics  of  the  denomina- 
tions in  town  is  defective,  from  failure  to  receive  facts  that  had 
been  promised.*  The  first  Presbyterian  Society  was  formed 
April  29,  1819,  with  Silvius  Hoard,  John  C.  Foster,  Wm  and 
Samuel  Randall,  Smith  Copeland,  and  Luther  Conklin,  trustees. 
A  church  had  been  formed  previously,  and  in  June,  18 19,  had 
been  received  into  the  St.  Lawrence  Presbytery,  on  the  applica- 
tion of  Rev.  Ziba  Tuttle,  their  minister.  The  society  was  re- 
organized October  5,  1824,  with  Hiram  Murdcok,  Benajah  and 
William  Randall,  Zebina  Smith,  Jeremy  Stimson,  and  Josiah 
Drake,  Jr.,  trustees.  Among  the  clergy,  here,  have  been  Cal- 
vin Wait,  Rufus  R.  Deming,  and  others.  Charles  B.  Pond  is 
the  present  pastor.  In  1850  the  society  erected,  in  the  north 
part  of  the  village,  an  elegant  church  edifice,  that  will  compare 
favorably  with  any  in  the  county.  The  Ox  Bow  Presbyterian 
Society  of  Antwerp  and  Rossie,  was  formed  May  15, 1820,  with 
Abraham  Cooper,  Abraham  Lewis,  Reuben  Streeter,  James 
Ormiston,  James  Douglas,  Orren  Matthews,  Percival  Hawley, 
and  Abner  Benton,   trustees.     A  church  was  formed  the  same 

*  See  note  in  appendix. 


BrownviUe> 


96 


summer,  at  first  having  about  40  members,  which  soon  united 
with  tht^  St.  Lawrence  Presbytery,  then  embracing  this  county. 
Ii  has  since  united  with  that  of  Ogdensburgh.  The  Rev.  James 
Sandford  was  installed  Sept.  5,  1820,  and  has  been  employed 
many  years.  The  society  have  no  house  of  worship.  The 
Methodist  Chapel  of  the  first  society  in  Antwerp,  was  formed 
Nov.  2,  1832,  with  Samuel  Cook,  Isaac  Sprague,  Wm.  Chalor, 
Daniel  and  Wm.  Shepard,  Theodore  Cross,  George  Lum,  Asher 
Seymour,  and  Daniel  Brown,  trustees.  The  Sprague's  Corner 
Methodist  society  was  formed  Jan.  12, 1837,  with  Elijah  Steele, 
Jr.,  Abel  Goodnough,  Isaac  Sprague,  John  Brown,  Wm.  Howe, 
Martin  Mitchel,  and  Samuel  Kelsey,  trustees.  They  the  same 
year  I  uilt  a  chapel,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,000.  A  Methodist 
society  was  formed  at  Ox  Bow,  May  14,  1833,  with  A.  Lewis, 
Ira  D.  Shepherd,  Wm.  H.  Collar,  Samuel  Bonfy,  and  Ebenezer 
Birdsley,  trustees.    They  have  never  erected  a  church. 

A  Baptist  society  was  formed  February  23,  1836,  with  David 
Manning,  Obadiah  Chamberlain,  and  Joseph  Palmer,  trustees, 
and  has  a  church  edifice  in  Antwerp  village.  An  organization 
had  been  formed  previously,  which,  in  1825,  united  with  the 
Black  River  Association,  and  has  since  regularly  reported.  The 
Antwerp  and  Fowler  Union  Society  (Baptist),  was  formed  Sept. 
11,  1838,  with  Amos  Sheldon,  Alexander  Wright,  J.  H.  Boz- 
worth,  Leonard  Pike,  Ansel  Clark,  and  Moses  Burge,  trustees,  and 
soon  after  built  a  church  near  the  county  line,  at  Steele's  Corners. 

A  Wesleyan  Methodist  society  was  formed  Sept.  1,  1845,  at 
Sprague's  Corners,  with  Allen  Woodward,  Emor  Bell,  and  Abel 
Goodnough,  trustees.    They  have  a  small  chapel. 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church  of  Antwerp  and  Rossie,  was 
formed  at  the  Ox  Bow,  May  22,  1837,  with  Andrew  Culbertson, 
John  Barrow,  Robert  Darling,  James  Dickson,  Wm.  TurnbuU, 
and  Wm.  Fleming,  trustees.  It  was  reorganized  April  7, 1840. 
This  society  has  a  neat  church  edifice  of  stone,  fronting  on  the 
.  public  square  in  the  village  of  Ox  Bow.  It  is  principally  com- 
posed of  Scotch  emigrants,  many  families  of  whom  are  settled 
in  this  and  the  adjoining  town  of  Rossie. 

Brownville. 

Was  erected  from  Leyden,  April  1, 1802,  embracing  all  north 
of  Black  River,  from  a  line  running  from  the  northwest  corner 
of  Champion,  N.  45**  E.,  to  the  southwesterly  bounds  of  the 
county  of  St.  Lawrence.  The  first  town  meeting  was  directed  to 
be  held  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Brown.  Adams  and  Rutland  were 
erected  by  the  same  act.  It  was  named  afler  Jacob  Brown,  after- 
wards Major  General  of  the  array,  the  first  settler  and  general 
land  agent.    The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of 


96 


BroumviUe. 


i    • 


Samuel  and  Jacob  Brown,  and  adjourned  to  Brownville  Hotel, 
March  1, 1803,  at  which  the  following  tow^n  officers  were  elected: 
Jacob  Brown,  supervisor;  Isaac  Collins,  clerk;  John  W.  Collins, 
Rich'd  Smith,  and  Peter  Pratt,  assessors;  J.  W.  Collins,  Ozias 
Preston,  Samuel  Starr,  commissioners  highways;  0.  Preston, 
Richardson  Avery,  Henry  A.  Delamater,  Samuel  Brown,  Benj. 
Brown,  Wm.  Rogers,  Abijah  Putnam, jTewcfi  viewers;  S.  Brown, 
S.Siarvt  overseers  of  the  poor;  S.  Brown,  Sanford  Langworthy, 
Caleb  J.  Bates,  Sylvanus  Fish,  H.  A.  Delamater,  IVed'k  Sprague, 
Geo.  Waffle,  Ethni  Evans,  puthmasters;  J.  W.  Collins,  H.  A. 
Delamater,  and  S.  Brown,  poundmasters. 

Supervisors — 1803,  Jacob  Brown;  1804,  5,  John  W.  Collins; 
1806,  7,  Jacob  Brown;  1808,  J.  W.  Collins;  1809,  10,  John 
Brown;  1811, 12,  Josiah  Farrar;  1813,  John  Brown;  1814,  Joseph 
Clark;  1815,  John  Brown;  1816,  17,  Walter  Cole;  1818,  Geo. 
Brown  Jr.;  18 19,  20,  Hoel  Lawrence;  1821-28,  Walter  Cole; 
1829-33,  Geo.  Brown  (of  Perch  River);  1834, 35,  Aaron  Shew; 
1836,  37,  Walter  Cole;  1838,  Mahlon  P.  Jackson;  1839.  40, 
Alanson  Skinner;  1841,  Wm.  Lord;  1842,  43,  A.  Skinner;  1844, 
45,  Chas.  B.  Avery;  1846,  A.  Skinner;  1847,  Chas.  B.  Averyj 
1848,  Arba  Strong;  1849,  Cyrus  Allen;  1850,  Tho's.  L.  Knapp, 
C.Allen,  special  meeting;  1851,  Cyrus  Allen;  1852,  Samuel 
Middleton,  2nd;  1853,  Charles  K.  Loom  is. 

At  a  special  meeting,  Jan.  29,  1818,  the  town  petitioned  for  a 
tax  upon  themselves  of  $2000,  towards  building  a  bridge  at  Wil- 
liamstown(Pamelia)  Village,  and  another  at  Brownville  Village. 
John  Brown,  Joseph  Clark,  and  Thomas  Loomis,  were  appointed 
commissioners  for  this  purpose.  In  1813  a  law  had  also  been 
massed  for  the  erection  of  bridges,  by  a  tax  upon  this  and  adjacent 

vns. 

During  15  years  a  poor  tax  has  been  voted,  making  an  aggre- 
gate of  $5,790,  and  in  1835  the  poor  money  on  hand  was  applied 
to  schools.  In  32  years,  money  has  been  raised  for  bridges, 
usually  $250,  per  annum,  and  amounting  to  $9,050.  In  1846 
money  was  raised  to  build  a  bridge  over  Perch  River,  near  its 
mouth,  and  in  1835,  1848, 49, 50,  to  build  one  at  Fish  Island,  in 
the  village  of  Dexter. 

Bounties  on  wolves  of  $5,  were  offered  in  1807 — 1818;  of  $8 
in  1821;  of  $10  in  1806,  8,  9,  11,  12,20;  of  $15  in  1804, 
13, 19;  of  $20  inl8|15, 16;  and  of  $25  in  1814, 17.  Fox  bounties 
of  $1,  in  1815,20,  21;  of  $250  in  1817,  19;  and  of  50cts.  in 
1833,  were  offered.  In  1806  a  bounty  of  10,  and  in  1807  of  $5 
was  offered  for  panthers. 

At  the  annual  town  meeting  in  1820,  which  was  held  at  Perch 
River,  after  electing  a  portion  of  the  officers,  the  meeting  ad- 
journed to  the  house  of  Edward  Arnold,  on  Penet  Square,  till  the 


Brownvilte. 


97 


next  day.  This  mensure  created  much  excitement,  and  those 
living  in  the  southern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  tovrn,  rallied 
with  all  their  forces,  attended  promptly  at  the  earliest  moment 
of  the  adjourned  meeting,  organized,  and  immediately  voted  an- 
other adjournment  to  the  house  of  Elias  Bennet  at  Brownville 
Village,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  where  the  vote  for 
town  clerk  was  reconsidered,  and  the  remaining  officers  elected. 
Being  thus  robbed  of  their  town  meeting,  the  settlers  on  Penet's 
Square  and  in  distant  localities,  demanded  a  separate  organization, 
which  was  readily  consented  to,  and  all  parties  having  met  at  an 
intorrnal  meeting,  or  convention,  at  the  village,  agreed  upon  a 
petition  to  the  legislature,  which  was  acted  upon,  before  another 
town  meeting.  The  foregoing  is  a  concise  statement  of  the  act 
of  "stealing  a  town  meeting,^'  which  gave  rise  to  much  talk  at 
the  time,  and  about  which  many  fabulous  stories  have  been  re- 
lated. It  is  said  that  this  heinous  crime  of  robbery  was  made  the 
subject  of  a  painting,  that  formed  a  part  of  a  traveling  exhibition. 

At  the  town  meeting,  in  1821,  the  clerk  read  three  notices  for 
the  division  of  the  town,  which  were  not  voted.  The  first  was 
to  annex  a  part  of  Brownville  to  Pamelia;  the  second,  a  part  of 
Brownville  to  he  Ray,  and  the  third  to  erect  four  new  towns 
from  Brownville  and  Le  Ray.  In  1822,  a  motion  to  annex  Pa- 
melia to  Brownville  was  defeated. 

This  town  was  first  explored,  with  a  view  of  settlement,  by 
Jacob  Brown,  afterwards  a  distinguished  citizen,  who,  while 
teaching  a  school  in  New  York,  had  met  with  Rodolph  Tillier, 
the  general  agent  for  the  Chassanis  lands,  and  was  induced  to 
purchase  a  large  tract,  and  become  the  agent  for  commencing  a 
settlement,  at  a  time  when  the  difficulties  attends  cr  such  an  en- 
terprise were  very  great.  Having  engaged  in  tHiJ  business,  he 
repaired  in  February,  1799,  to  the  location  of  the  jiTrench  com- 
pany, at  the  High  Falls,  and  made  several  journeys  to  Utica, 
when,  having  completed  his  arrangements,  and  collected  provis- 
ions at  the  Long  Falls,  he  in  March,  1799,  passed  down  the  old 
French  road,  in  company  with  three  or  four  hired  men,  and  hap- 
pening to  reach  the  river  at  the  mouth  of  Philomel  Creek,  he 
was  charmed  with  the  prospect  of  a  water  pow*»r,  apparently 
perennial,  and  at  once  decided  upon  stopping  hf  . ,  He  com- 
menced clearing  land,  having  sent  for  his  father'.'  .amily,  who 
started  on  the  22d  of  April,  from  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  and  after 
stopping  a  few  days  at  New  York  and  Schenectady,  and  hiring 
at  Ltica  an  extra  boat,  at  length  arrived  at  the  location  on  the 
17th  of  May,  1799,  having  been  nearly  three  weeks  on  the  road. 
George  Brown,  a  relative,  came  on  in  the  same  company,  with 
a  part  of  his  family,  making,  with  the  boatmen,  a  party  of 
Dearly  twenty.    The  boatmen  soon  returned,  leaving  one  boat 


98 


Brownvitte. 


that  served  the  means  for  communication  with  Kingston,  from 
whence  they  derived  most  of  their  provisions,  the  stock  left  at 
the  Long  Falls  having  been  sold.  When  this  company  had  ar- 
rived, the  first  had  cleared  a  small  piece,  and  got  up  the  body 
of  a  log  house,  twenty  feet  square,  which  occupied  the  site  of 
the  hay  scales  on  the  edge  of  the  bank,  in  the  village,  and  the 
same  season  they  put  up  the  body  of  a  two-story  log  liouse,  25 
by  30,  on  the  ground  now  covered  by  the  store  of  Wra.  Lord. 
This  was  not,  however,  completed  for  occupation  till  the  spring 
of  1801.  In  the  fall  of  1800  a  saw  mill  was  built  at  the  mouth 
of  Philomel  Creek,  the  millwrights  being  Noah  Durrin  and  £b- 
enezer  Hills,  and  late  in  the  fall  of  1801  a  grist  mill  was  built 
for  Mr.  Brown,  by  Ethni  Evans,  afterwards  the  pioneer  of 
Evans'  Mills.  A  few  goods  were  brought  on  with  the  first  family, 
but  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  Jacob  Brown  went  to  New 
York,  on  other  business,  and  selected  a  small  stock  better  adapt- 
ed to  the  market.  In  1799,  a  great  number  came  in  to  look  for 
lands,  many  of  whom  selected  farms  on  Perch  River,  and  between 
that  place  and  Brownville,  where  they  commenced  small  clear- 
ings, and  made  arrangements  for  removal  with  their  families  in 
the  spring.  Among  these  were  John  W.  Collins,  Richardson 
Avery,  Nathan  Parish,  Horace  Mathers,  and  others.  In  the 
summer  of  1800,  a  great  number  settled,  and  the  clearings  had 
extended  from  the  bank  of  the  river  nearly  half  a  mile.  The 
first  settlers  on  Perch  River  incurred  an  obligation  to  cleara  cer- 
tain amount  of  land,  and  build  a  house. 

The  first  bridge  at  Brownville  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $1,000, 
on  subscription,  by  Oliver  Bartholomew,  in  the  summer  of  1802. 
It  was  below  the  present  mills,  at  the  mouth  of  Philomel  Creek, 
and  being  swept  off  in  a  flood  in  1806,  was  in  1807  rebuilt  by 
the  same  person,  at  the  present  bridge.  The  village,  in  Sept., 
1805,  contained  25  houses,  and  was  rapidly  improving,  and  the 
next  year  a  dam  was  first  built  across  Black  River  at  this  place, 
a  little  below  the  present  dam.  John  Brown  (afterwards  Judge 
Brown),  a  brother  of  Jacob,  at  an  early  day  bought  the  lands 
adjacent  to  the  village,  south  of  the  river,  and  erected  mills. 
The  mills  and  storu  were  at  first  owned  by  Jacob  Brown,  and  his 
father,  Samuel,*  but  afterwards  his  brother  of  that  name  became 
the  merchant.  The  village  for  some  years  grew  more  rapidly 
than  any  in  the  county,  and  until  after  the  location  of  the  public 
buildings  at  Walertown,  it  exhibited  more  thrift  and  business 
than  that  place.  Much  importance  was  attached,  at  an  early 
day,  to  the  navigation  of  Black  River  below  this  place,  which 
Avas  naturally  difficult,  on  account  of  a  rapid  at  Fish  Island  (now 
Dexter's),   and  in  1810  an  act  was  passed,   incorporating  the 

*  S.  Brown,  S<n.,  died  at  Brownville  Sept.  24,  1813. 


Broumville, 


1,000, 
1802. 
Creek, 
milt  by 
Sept., 
land  the 
place. 
Judge 
i  lands 
mills, 
and  his 
Ibecame 
]rapidly 
public 
)usiness 
|n  early 
which 
(now 
ing  the 


Black  River  Navigation  Company,  of  which  it  appears,  from 
a  paper  recorded  in  the  clerk's  ofHce  June  5,  1810,  that  the  fol- 
lowing persons  were  subscribers,  with  the  number  of  shares,  at 
f  10,  taken  by  each:  Samuel  Brown,  Jr.,  20 j  Jacob  Brown,  36 
Micah  Sterling,  10;  Benjamin  Skinner,  10;  John  Brown,  20 
Wm.  M.  Lord,  20;  Judah  Williams,  10;  Samuel  Starr,  20;  Jo 
seph  Starling,  10;  Wm.  Hunter,  10;  Richard  M.  Esselstyn,  10 
James  Shields,  6;  Gersham  Tuttle,  5;  Thomas  M.  Converse,  5 
Amasa  Trowbridge,  10.  The  commissioners  were  Ethel  Bronson, 
John  Brown,  Wm.  M.  Lord  and  Thomas  M.  Converse.  On  the 
8th  of  March,  181 1,  the  company  received  an  amendment  of 
their  charter,  by  which  the  president  and  directors  were  to  ap- 
point a  collector,  who  should  receive  Irom  every  boat  of  five 
tons  and  upwards,  25  cents  per  ton,  and  for  small  boats  not  more 
than  50  cents  per  ton,  for  going  and  returning,  nrovided  the  re- 
ceipts shall  not  exceed  14  per  cent  op  the  capital  invested. 
The  company  was  required  to  finish  their  work  within  three 
years,  and  were  empowered  to  dispose  of  their  surplus  water  as 
they  might  see  fit.  In  1812,  and  1815,  the  time  for  completing 
the  work  was  extended,  and  in  the  latter  year  wooden  locks  were 
built,  sufficient  to  allow  the  passage  of  Durham  boais.  By  an 
advertisement  in  the  Sackets  Harbor  Gazette,  dated  May  1, 
1817,  the  public  was  informed  that  no  higher  tolls  than  50  cents 
would  be  collected  on  a  boat  passing  the  locks.  About  1828 
the  project  of  building  a  steam  boat,  to  ply  between  Brownville 
and  ports  on  the  river  and  lake,  being  in  discussion,  stone  locks 
were  built  in  place  of  the  wooden  ones,  which  had  decayed. 
The  steamer  Brovmville  was  built  in  the  summer  of  1827  by  a 
company,  the  original  parties  of  which  were  Turner  &  Dodd, 
but  Wm.  S.  Ely,  Wm.  Lord,  Edmund  Kirby  and  Hoel  Lawrence, 
of  this  place,  with  parties  in  Oswego  and  Ogdensburgb,  became 
afterwards  interesti^'d;  from  having  made  advances.  It  had  a 
keel  80  feet,  beam  20  feet,  and  depth  of  hold  6^  feet,  with  a  bur- 
den of  100  tons,  and  engines  of  35  to  40  horse  power.  She  was 
built  at  the  village,  on  the  north  side,  and  having  with  difficulty 
passed  the  locks,  was  burned  to  the  water's  edge,  on  her  first 
trip  to  Ogdensburgh,  but  was  run  uporh  an  island,  and  her  crew 
saved,  ifhe  hull  was  towed  back  to  Brownville,  and  rebuilt  by 
Capt.  E.  B.  Dodd,  and  after  a  short  time  was  sold  at  Sackets 
Harbor,  and  the  name  changed  to  the  William  Jivery.  The  vil- 
lage of  Dexter,  six  miles  from  Sackets  Harbor,  has  long  since 
been  regarded  as  the  head  of  navigation  on  Black  River. 

On  the  announcement  of  the  declaration  of  war,  Brownville 
became  the  seat  of  much  activity  and  excitement,  from  its  being 
the  head  quarters  of  General  Brown,  who  had  the  personal  di- 
rection of  military  operations  on  this  frontier  during  most  of 


100 


Brou3imlh> 


the  first  season.  A  hospital  was  established  here,  and  troops 
Avere  stationed  in  the  village  and  vicinity  at  various  times  during 
that  period.  The  greatest  alarm  prevailed  throughout  the 
country  upon  the  arrival  of  the  first  tidings  of  war,  but  this 
soon  wore  away. 

The  inhabitants  living  on  Perch  River,  on  receiving  the  newsof 
the  war,  were  greatly  alarmed,  from  their  supposed  exposure  on 
the  frontier,  and  some  of  the  timid  ones  resolved  to  leave  the  coun- 
try. To  dissuade  them  from  this,  it  was  proposed  to  build  a  block 
house,  which  was  forthwith  done  by  voluntary  labor,  but  when 
completed,  only  served  as  a  storehouse  for  the  wheat  of  a  neigh- 
bor. Some  ridiculing  the  idea  of  danger,  humorously  proposed 
to  post  themselves  on  the  brow  of  some  of  the  limestone  le<lges 
towards  Catfish  Creek,  in  the  direction  of  Canada,  which  would 
give  them  the  double  advantages  of  a  commanding  position, 
and  an  abundance  of  material  for  missies,  in  case  of  attack. 
This  had  its  effect,  and  alter  a  few  weeks'  reflection  the  idea  of 
Indian  massacre  was  forgotten.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
many  of  the  older  inhabitants  had  realized  in  their  youth  the 
horrors  of  Indian  warfare,  and  the  tales  of  midnight  massacre 
which  they  related  as  they  assembled  on  evenings  for  mutual 
safety,  enhanced,  in  no  small  degree,  this  timidity.  Still  the 
alarms  which  prevailed  in  this  county  were  far  less  than  those 
that  spread  through  the  St.  Lawrence  oettlements,  and  as  after- 
wards appeared  in  Canada  itself,  where  nearly  every  family 
along  the  river  had  been  fugitives  from  the  desolating  hand  of 
war,  from  their  adherence  to  the  royal  cause  in  the  revolution. 
The  apprehensions  of  both  parties  soon  subsided,  and  men  re- 
sumed their  customary  pursuits,  except  when  occasional  drafts, 
or  general  alarms,  called  out  the  militia,  or  the  emergencies  of 
the  service  required  the  assembling  of  teams  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  munitions  of  war.  Prices  of  produce  were,  of  course, 
extremely  high,  and  from  the  large  amount  of  government  money 
expended  here,  the  basis  of  many  fortunes  in  the  county  were 
laid  at  that  period. 

On  the  16th  of  April,  1828,  the  public  was  aroused  by  the  report 
of  a  murder,  committed  in  the  Perch  River  settlement  in  this  town, 
by  Henry  Evans,  upon  Joshua  Rogers  and  Henry  Diamond,  in  an 
affair  growing  out  of  an  attempt  to  forcibly  eject  Evans  without 
legal  formality  from  premises  leased  by  a  brother  of  Rogers.  A 
family  quarrel  had  for  some  days  existed  in  the  Rogers'  family, 
in  which  Evans  had  taken  a  part,  and  at  the  time  of  the  murder 
the  parties  had  been  drinking,  and  were  unusually  quarrelsome. 
Evans  had  shut  himself  up  in  his  house,  which  was  forcibly 
entered,  with  threats  and  abusive  language,  upon  which  he 
seized  an  axe,  and  mortally  wounded  two,  and  badly  wounded 


Broumvitte. 


101 


a  third,  who  recovered.  He  was  immediately  arrested,  and  at 
the  June  term  of  the  court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  in  1828,  was 
tried,  the  court  consisting  of  Nathan  Williams,  circuit  judge^ 
Egbert  Ten  Eyck,Jirst  judge,  Joseph  Hawkins,  judge,  Robert 
Lansing,  diatrid  attorney,  H.  H.  Sherwood,  clerk,  H.  H.  Coffeen, 
sheriff.  The  district  attorney  was  assisted  by  Mr.  Clarke,  and 
the  prisoner  was  defended  by  Messrs.  Sterting,  Bionson,  and 
Rathbone.  The  vicious  temper  and  abandoned  character  of  the 
prisoner,  who,  whether  drunk  or  sober,  had  been  the  terror  of  his 
neighborhood,  outweighed  the  extenuating  circumstances  of  the 
and  the  jury,  after  half  an  hour's  deliberation,  returned  a 


case 


verdict  of  guilty.  He  was  sentenced  to  be  hung,  August  22d, 
and  he  was  executed  in  the  presence  of  an  immense  crowd,  who 
had  assembled  to  witness  the  barbarous  spectacle,  from  this  and 
adjoining  counties.  The  gallows  was  placed  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  river,  nearly  opposite  the  Court  House.  His  body  •".vas 
taken  by  his  friends  to  Brownville,  and  a]grave  dug  in  the  ceme- 
tery, when  objections  were  raised,  and  one  person  swore  that  he 
should  not  be  buried  there.  Anot,her  place  was  then  got,  but 
the  rock  was  reached  in  two  feet.  A  grave  was  next  dug  just 
outside  of  the  corporate  limits,  when  as  he  was  about  to  be 
lowered,  objections  were  again  raised,  and  one  or  two  women 
were  seized  with  hysteric  fits,  because  the  locality  was  in  sight. 
The  corpse  vas  finally  taken  back  three  or  four  miles  from  the 
village  and  buried  by  night.  .The  lamentable  prevalence  of 
superstition  thus  evinced,  has  its  equal  only  in  the  popular  belief 
in  vampires,  which,  on  more  than  one  occasion,  has  disgraced 
the  annals  of  this  and  neighborin,    lounties. 

The  Village  of  Brownville  was  incorporated  April  5,  1828. 
The  act  provided  for  the  election  of  five  trustees,  three  assessors, 
one  treasurer,  one  collector  and  one  constable  annually,  on  the 
first  Monday  in  May.  The  trustees  were  vested  with  the  usual 
powers  in  relation  to  a  fire  department,  assessments  for  internal 
improvements,  &c.  The  following  officers  were  chosen  at  the 
first  election:  Thomas  Loomis,  Jr.,  Hoel  Lawrence,  George 
Brown,  Pelcg  Burchard  and  Tracy  S.  Knapp,  trustees;  Wm.  S. 
Ely,  Asa  Whitney,  Wm.  Lord,  assessors;  John  A.  Cathcart, 
treasurer;  James  Shields,  collector;  Levi  Torrey,  constable. 

Trustees  of  Brownville  Village. — Those  in  italics  were  elected 
Presidents: 

1829,  Wm.  S.  Ely,  Joel  Blood,  Joshua  Heminway,  Daniel 
Case,  Hiram  Mills. 

1830,  Derrick  Gibbons,  Elias  Bennett,  Hoel  Lawrence,  Wm. 
S.  Ely,  J.  Heminway. 

1831,  H.  Lawrence,  J.  Blood,  Levi  Torry,  Wm.  Hardy,  Ed- 
mund Kirby. 


102 


SrownviUe. 


i 


:ii 


1832,  Edmund  Kirby,  Amos  R.  Avery,  Alanson  Skinner,  L. 
Torrey,  G.  Brown. 

1833,  Wm.  Lord,  Wra.  McCullock,  J.  Heminway,  J.  Blood, 
Apollos  Huntinp[ton. 

1834,  George  Brown,  E.  Kirby,  Wm.  S.  Ely,  James  Ballard, 
John  A,  Cathcart. 

1835,  Jlrba  Str&ng,  G.  Brown,  J.  Blood,  J.  Heminway,  D. 
Gibbons. 

1836,  Alanson  Skinner,  J.  Blood,  Arba  Strong,  John  Bradley, 
J.  Heminwav. 

1837,  J.  Heminway,  Judah  Lord,  A.  Strong,  A.  Huntington, 
A.  Skinner. 

1838,  /.  Blood f  A.  Skinner,  A.  Strong,  D.  Gibbons,  Jesse 
Ayers. 

1839,  James  Shields,  A.  Skinner,  Henry  Lord,  D.  Gibbons, 
Daniel  Case. 

1840,  Thomas  Loomis,  A.  Skinner,  A.  Strong,  Wm.  Lord, 
James  R.  Bates. 

1841,  Wm.  Lord,  Tho's  L.  Knapp,  A.  Huntington,  Daniel 
Case,  John  E.  Brown. 

1843,  Chas.  K.  Loomis,  Edward  Munson,  Gilderoy  Lord, 
John  S.  Chase,  Geo.  A.  McKenzie 

1844,  John  Bradley,  J.  Blood,  J.  E.  Brown,  Gideon  Tilling- 
hast,  Arba  Strong. 

1845,  Arba  Strong,  A.  Skinner,  D.  Gibbons,  Cha's  P.  Plumb, 
Apollos  Huntington. 

1846,  M.  C.  Loomis,  S.  W.  Fields,  D.  Ainsworth,  Alex'r 
Brown,  C.  P.  Plumb. 

1847,  John  E.  Brown,  A.  Skinner,  A.  Strong,  Ja's  Shields, 
Joel  G.  Stacy. 

1848,  E.  Kirby.  T.  S.  Knapp,  A.  Strong,  J.  Ayres.  J.  Bradley. 

1849,  T.  S.  Knapp,  E.  Kirby,  A.  Strong,  Wm.  Lord,  A.  Skin- 
ner. 

1850,  C.  K.  Loomis,  Sam'l  W.  Field,  G.  Lord,  J.  Brown 
Kirby,  H.  Russ. 

1851,  J.  B.  Kirby,  G.  Lord,  L.  W.  Field,  Heman  Russ,  Mor- 
rison C.  Loomis. 

1852,  James  L  Hunt,  G.  Lord,  J.  B.  Kirby,  Heman  Russ, 
Gustavus  Codman. 

1853,  Jesse  Ayres,  S.  W.  Field,  W.  B.  Lord,  James  Skinner, 
Henry  Lord. 

The  village  of  Brownville,  from  its  vicinity  to  lake  navigation, 
was  early  considered  an  eligible  point  for  the  establishment  of 
factories,  and  the  enormous  prices  to  which  cotton  goods  had  risen 
in  consequence  of  the  war,  led  to  the  plan  of  forming  a  cotton 
factory  at  this  place.    In  1811,  a  general  act  had  been  passed, 


in 


BrownviUe, 


103 


for  the  encouragement  of  manufacturers,  and  availing  themselves 
of  this,  a  company  was  formed  Feb.  9,  1814,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing was  the  instrument  of  association: 

"  This  may  cerfifv  that  we,  the  subscribers,  have  formed  our- 
selves into  a  company,  by  the  name  and  style  of  The  BrownviUe 
Manufacturing  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  manufacturing 
cotton  and  wool,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000,  consisting  of 
1,000  shares,  under  the  direction  of  five  trustees,  viz:  John 
Paddock,  John  Bi  own,  Thomas  Loomis,  Jr.,  Thomas  J.  Whiteside, 
and  Hoel  Lawrence,  who  shall  manage  the  concerns  of  said 
company,  for  one  year,  from  the  date  hereof,  in  the  town  of 
BrownviUe,  in  the  County  of  Jefferson." 

/.  Paddock,  J.  Brovm,  T.  Loomis,  Jr.,  T.  J.  Whiteside,  H. 
Lawrence,  Henry  Wm.  Channing,  William  S.  Ely,  Silas  Jay, 
F.  JV*.  Smith. 

They  soon  began  t'''p  erection  of  a  factory,  which  commenced 
operations  the  next  year;  but  af;er  a  few  months,  finding  they 
were  losing  money,  they  stopped,  and  the  factory  lay  idle  several 
years.  It  was  subsequently  bought  by  parties  from  Cooperstown, 
who  procured  an  act  incorporating  the  BrownviUe  Cotton  Fac- 
tory, April  6,  1831.  Elizur  Fairman,  John  A.  Cathcart,  Charles 
Smith,  and  such  as  might  associate  with  them  were  by  this  con- 
stituted a  body  corporate  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton  and 
woolen  goods,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000,  in  shares  of  $50. 
The  affairs  were  to  be  managed  by  three  trustees,  elected  annu- 
ally, on  the  second  Monday 'of  April,  the  first  being  those  named 
in  the  act,  which  was  to  continue  twenty  years,  in  1842,  this 
company  was  succeeded  by  a  partnership,  consisting  of  Charles 
Smith  and  William  H.  Averil,  of  Cooperstown,  and  F.  W. 
Andrews;  styled  the  Ontario  Cotton  Factory,  which  has  since 
continued.  It  has  3,200  spindles,  and  80  looms;  and  gives 
employment  to  about  ninety  hands. 

A  company,  styled  the  Jefferson  Lead  Manufacturing  Co. 
with  a  capital  ot  $15,000,  was  formed  June  30,  1838,  chiefly 
under  the  direction  of  Thomas  L.  Knapp;  and  the  business  of 
manufacturing  white  lead  and  lithic  paints  continued  with 
varied  suceess  about  twelve  years.  Since  the  death  of  Mr. 
Knapp,  which  occurred  from  cholera,  at  Pittsburgh,  in  1851,  the 
business  has  been  abandoned.  It  was  found  to  be  extremely 
injurious  to  the  health  of  the  laborers,  both  the  carbonate  of  lead, 
and  the  carbonic  acid  generated  from  charcoal  for  its  manufac- 
ture, being  directly  poisonous  to  the  system. 

A  woolen  factory  owned  by  Bradley  and  Brown,  was  burnt  in 
January  1846,  with  a  machine  shop,  ^ax  mill  and  other  property. 
The  village  of  BrownviUe  affords  a  great  amount  ot  water  power, 
which  is  at  present  but  partly  improved  by  two  grist  mills,  a  saw 


104 


Brownville. 


millj^clothing  works,  cotton  factory,  two  extensive  foundries  and 
machine  shops,  saleratus  factory  cabinet  shop  &c. 

Ill  many  respects  this  village  presents  superior  advantages  for 
manufacturing  establishments,  as  it  has  a  direct  communication 
by  rail  road  with  the  markets,  real  estate  is  cheap,  and  the  sur- 
rounding country  affords  in  abundance,  the  means  for  supporting 
a  large  population.  At  several  points  between  this  village  and 
Watertown,  fine  opportunities  for  water  power  exist,  which  are 
at  present  entirely  unimproved.  At  one  of  these,  1^  miles  above 
this  village,  Mr.  James  Wood,  originally  from  New  Hampshire, 
about  1830,  began  the  erection  of  a  dam  and  woolen  factory, 
which  had  been  nearly  completed,  and  partly  stocked  with  ma- 
chinery, when  it  was  swept  off  by  the  spring  flood  of  1833,  prov- 
ing a  total  loss  to  the  owner. 

At  the  head  of  Black  River  Bay,  and  favored  by  the  double 
advantages  of  a  fine  water  power  and  convenient  harbor,  is  the 
village  o(  Dexter,  named  in  compliment  to  S.  Newton  Dexier  of 
Whitesboro,  who  has  been  extensively  interested  in  the  business 
of  the  place,  which  formerly  bore  the  name  of  Fish  Island.  The 
lands  in  this  vicinity  were  early  purchased  by  John  and  Jacob 
Brown,  who  in  1811,  commenced  a  dam,  that  was  swept  off,  but 
rebuilt,  and  a  saw  mill  was  got  in  operation  in  February  1813. 
A  large  amount  of  lumber  was  made  here  during  the  war,  for  use 
at  Sackets  Harbor,  and  in  1815-16,  wooden  locks  were  built  of 
sufficient  size  to  admit  boats  60  feet  long  and  13  feet  wide  to 
pass.  About  1826,  a  grist  mill  was  built  by  John  E.  Brown,  and 
in  1837,  the  place  contained  a  dozen  houses. 

A  joint  stock  company  styled  the  Dexter  Village  Company^ 
was  formed  March  1,  1837,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  out  a  vil- 
lage on  a  tract  of  249  acres  south,  and  800  acres  north  of  the 
river.  The  original  members  of  the  company,  were,  Edmund 
Kirby,  S.  N.  Dexter,  John  Williams,  John  Bradley,  and  J.  Brown. 
In  1840,  the  company  commenced  making  dividends  of  the  prop- 
erty, and  on  the  6th  of  Jan.  1846,  it  was  finally  dissolved. 

On  the  7th  of  November  1836,the  Jefferson  Woolen  Comoany  was 
formed  with  $100,000  capital,  in  shares  of  $100.  It  originally 
consisted  of  S.  N.  Dexter,  of  Whitesboro,  John  Williams  of 
Utica,  Edmund  Kirby,  and  John  Bradley,  of  Brownville,  Rodney 
Burt,  and  0.  V.  Brainard,  of  Watertown.  The  number  of  stock- 
holders was  69.  In  1837  this  company  built  the  present  extensive 
woolen  factory,  at  a  cost,  including  appendages  and  machinery, 
of  $140,000,  capital  paid  in  $96,000.  This  enormous  expen- 
diture, with  the  low  prices  which  followed,  could  not  be  sustained, 
and  in  January  1842,  the  company  failed,  with  liabilities  exceed- 
ing assets  of  $33,000.  The  property  was  sold,  and  bid  off  by  a 
new  company,  styled  the  Jefferson  Manufacturing  Company 


BrownviJle. 


105 


es 


and 


[res  for 
ication 
he  sur- 
porting 
ge  and 
ich  are 
3  above 
ipshire, 
factory, 
ith  ma- 
;,  prov- 

!  double 
r,  is  the 
lexter  of 
business 
d.    The 
id  Jacob 
;  off,  but 
ry  1813. 
•,  for  use 
built  of 
wide  to 
iwn,  and 

lompany, 
lut  a  vil- 
h  of  the 
lEdmund 
Brown, 
he  prop- 
id. 

)any  was 
Iriginally 
lliams  of 
Rodney 
)f  stock- 
[xtensive 
ichinery, 
expen- 
istained, 
exceed- 
off  by  a 
Company 


formed  in  Feb.  1842,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  which  is  still  in  ope~ 
ration.  The  main  building  is  of  stone,  50  by  170  feet,  and  four 
stories  high,  besides  attic  and  basement,  and  is  stocked  with  seven 
sets  of  cards,  ami  a  proportionate  amount  of  machinery.  The 
building  is  of  sufficient  capacity  to  accommodate  ten  sets.  It 
makes  irom  7000  to  8000  yards  per  month,  and  has  been  for  a 
year  or  two  run  upon  contract.  It  employs  about  75  hands,  and 
since  the  beginning  has  been  principally  employed  in  making 
broadcloths  and  cassimeres. 

The  joint  benefits  of  navigation  and  hydraulic  privileges,  have 
made  Dexter  a  place  of  some  importance.  Besides  the  factory, 
there  are  three  saw  mills,  a  grist  mill,  with  four  run  of  stones, 
plaster  mills,  several  establishments  for  turning,  and  manufactures 
of  wood,  and  about  600 (inhabitants.  It  has  churches  of  the 
Episcopal,  Universalist,  and  Presbyterian  orders,  and  is  the  seat 
of  a  custom  house.  It  has  been  a  place  of  ship  building  to  some 
extent;  about  a  dozen  schooners,  the  propellers  James  Wood,  and 
Clifton,  and  the  steamer  Telegraph,  having  been  built  here. 
Extensive  appropriations  made  by  the  general  government,  at 
about  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  factory,  were  expended  in 
the  construction  of  piers  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  harbor.  A  cemetery  association  was  formed 
under  the  general  law  Sept.  21,  1849,  with  James  A.  Bagley, 
Philander  J.  Welch,  Sylvester  Reed,  Joseph  D.  Beals,  Francis 
W.  Winne,  James  A.  Bell,  Henry  Bailey,  and  Francis  Broad- 
bennett,  trustees. 

By  an  act  of  April  8,  1836,  a  tax  of  $500  was  directed  to  be 
laid  upon  Houndsfield,  and  a  like  sum  upon  Brovvnville,  for  the 
erection  of  a  bridge  over  Black  River  at  this  place. 

Limerick,  on  Perch  River,  1|  miles  from  Dexter,  where  the 
W.  &  R.  railroad  crosses  the  stream,  and  on  the  old  turnpike,  is 
a  small  village,  of  a  store,  tavern,  depot,  and  about  a  dozen  dwel- 
lings; mills  were  built  here  at  an  early  day, by  Nelson,  and  after- 
wards owned  by  Shelley.  The  dam  was  found  to  flow  the  flats 
above,  and  render  them  sickly,  when  it  was  presented  by  the  grand 
jury  as  a  nuisance,  and  removed  by  order  of  the  court.  It  was 
afterwards  built  below.  From  its  central  position,  this  place  has 
been  selected  for  holding  town  meetings  lor  the  last  thirty  years. 

Perch  River,  in  this  town,  from  the  lake  of  that  name  to  Lim- 
erick, meanders  throu'2;h  a  flat,  which  originally  was  flowed  by 
several  beaver  dams,  and  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country 
was  too  wet  for  cultivation,  and  gave  rise  to  sickness  from  ma- 
laria. The  evil  was  increased  by  a  dam  at  Limerick.  An  act 
of  March  30,  1827,  authorized  John  Baxter,  Abner  Smith  and 
Isaac  Moffatt,  to  remove  the  bar  or  reef  of  rocks  at  the  head  of 
the  rapids  in  Perch  River,  to  drain  the  lands,  and  in  the  March 

8 


nt 


106 


BrownviUe. 


III!' 


term  of  the  circuit  court,  in  1829,  the  dam  was  decided  as  a 
nuisance,  and  directed  to  be  destroyed.  The  summer  of  1828, 
had  been  one  of  general  sickness,  near  the  river,  there  being 
scarcely  well  ones  enough  to  care  for  the  sick.  The  evil  still 
continuing,  an  act  was  passed  May  26,  1841,  providing  for  the 
draining  of  the  drowned  lands,  by  a  tax  upon  the  property  to  be 
benefited,  and  Nicholas  Lawyer,  John  Cole,  Jr.,  Paul  Anthony, 
Daniel  Allen  and  Jno.  \\'ebb,  were  appointed  commissioners  for 
carrying  the  act  into  effect.  The  lake  has  been  lowered  two.feet 
by  improvements  since  made;  lands  before  covered  with  wild 
grass  have  been  brought  under  cultivation,  and  the  locality  has 
since  been  considered  healthy.  Several  thousand  acres  were 
taxed,  at  first  14,  and  afterward  20  cents  per  acre,  to  eifect  these 
improvements.  Adjacent  to  Perch  Lake  in  Orleans,  is  an  ex- 
tensive cranberry  marsh,  the  surface  of  which  is  a  quaking  bog. 

Moffattville  (Perch  River  P.  0.),  on  the  west  bank  of  Perch 
River,  three  miles  from  Limerick,  is  a  hamlet  of  a  dozen  houses, 
a  Union  church,  inn,  two  stores,  and  a  few  shops.  It  is  in  the 
midst  of  a  highly  cultivated  district,  but  destitute  of  water  power. 

Pillar  Point,  between  Chaumont  and  Black  River  bays,  owes 
its  name  to  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  the  waters  of  the  lake 
have  worn  grottoes  in  the  cliffs,  within  tervening  masses  left, 
supporting  the  rock  above.  The  shores  of  this  point  have 
afforded  important  seine  fisheries,  and  at  a  small  village  locally 
named  Brooklyn,  opposite  Sackets  Harbor,  is  the  post  office  of 
Pillar  Pointy  a  Methodist  Church,  and  a  small  collection  of  shops 
and  dwellings.  This  point  has  been  somewhat  important  for  its 
ship  building. 

The  Brownville  Library,  was  formed  under  the  general  act, 
Feb.  10, 1807,  with  John  Brown,  John  Baxter,  Henry  Cowley, 
John  Simonds,  Stephen  Stanley,  Isaac  Pearse,  and  Thomas  Y. 
Howe,  trustees.  This,  and  a  subsequent  association,  have  long 
since  been  dissolved. 

Religious  Societies. — A  Presbyterian  church  was  organized 
March  18, 1818,  of  eight  members,  Elam  Clark,  and  Mr.  Vander- 
bogart,  being  chosen  elders.  On  the  10th  of  February,  1819,  it 
was  admitted  to  the  Presbytery,  and  Sept.  14,  1820,  the  Rev. 
Noah  M.  Wells,  was  installed  pastor.  In  the  same  year,  the 
present  stone  church  owned  by  the  Episcopal  society,  was  built 
as  a  union  church,  being  largely  owned  by  Presbyterians.  The 
first  trustees  of  this  property,  were  Samuel  Brown,  H.  Lawrence, 
Thomas  Loomis,  Jr.,  Wm.  N.  Lord,  and  George  Brown,  Jr.  In 
1824,  there  occurred  a  revival  under  the  preachings  of  the  Rev. 
Charles  G.  Finney,  during,  and  subsequent  to  which,  an  unpleas- 
ant division  arose,  and  several  influential  citizens,  taking  excep- 
tions at  what  they  deemed  the  extravagance  to  which  these  pro- 


BrownviUe. 


107 


as  a 

828, 
leing 
i  still 
r  the 
to  be 
bony, 
rsfor 
o.i'eet 

wild 
Ly  has 

were 
;  these 
an  ex- 
gbog. 

Perch 
bouses, 
1  in  the 
power. 
J,  owes 
he  lake 
les  left, 
>X  have 

locally 
>ffice  of 
jf  shops 
[t  for  its 

ital  act, 
Jowley, 
jmas  Y. 
kve  long 

[ganized 
'^ander- 
|1819,  it 
Ihe  Rev. 
ear,  the 
as  built 
IS.    The 
jiwrence, 
Jr.    In 
Ithe  Rev. 
mpleas- 
excep- 
kese  pro- 


ceedings were  carried,  united  in  an  Episcopal  organization,  under 
the  Rev.  Wm.  Linn  Keese,  who  had  been  sent  by  Bishop  Hobart 
upon  application  being  made  to  him  for  that  purpose.  A  legal 
society,  under  the  name  of  St  Paul's  Church,  was  formed  Oct. 

13,  1826,  of  which  T.  Y.  Howe,  and  T.  Loomis,  were  chosen 
wardens,  and  Asa  Whitney,  Tracy  S.  Knapp,  Sylvester  Reed,  S. 
Brown,  Wm.  S.  Ely,  Peleg  Burchard,  Edmund  Kirby,  and  Hoel 
Lawrence,  vestrymen.  Finding  that  the  members  of  this  society 
owned  a  majority  of  the  stock  in  the  church,  which  had  been 
built  by  those  of  different  orders,  the  remainder  was  purchased, 
and  having  been  previously  dedicated,  by  the  Presbyterians,  was 
fitted  up  and  consecrated  by  the  bishop,  Aug.  12,  1828.  Mr. 
Keese's  successors  have  been  Ezekiel  G.  Gear  (Feb.  1831),  A.  C. 
Treadway  (ofS.  Harbor,  not  settled),  Ferdinand  Rodgers  (Aug. 
1837),  William  H.  Hill,  Nov.  1846,  and  George  B.  Eastman, 
(Oct.  1851),  the  present  rector.  In  1834,  the  church  received 
from  Trinity  Church  New  York,  $500.  This  church  reported  in 
1853,  64  families  and  292  individuals,  belonging  to  the  congre- 
gation, of  whom  92  are  communicants. 

^//  Saints  Church  in  Dexter  (Episcopal)  was  organized  July 

14,  1839,  with  John  Bradley,  and  Gillman  Wood,  wardens,  and 
Edmund  Kirby,  Jesse  Babcock,  Ora  Haskill,  Solon  Stone,  James 
A.  Bell,  Andrew  Wood,  Israel  J.  Griffin,  and  Robert  Anderson, 
vestrymen.  T'^ey  have  erected  a  church  edifice  and  are  com- 
monly supplied  by  the  same  clergyman  as  the  church  at  Brown- 
viUe. The  last  report  gives  a  total  of  28  families,  and  128  indi- 
viduals, belonging  to  it. 

The  Presbyterians,  on  the  16th  of  May,  1825,  organized  a  so- 
ciety with  L.  Gibson,  S.  Reed,  and  Wm.  Clark,  trustees,  and  in 
January,  1829,  it  was  again  organized.  In  1832  a  church  edi- 
fice was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  and  in  ten  years  was  burnt. 
In  1844  the  present  Presbyterian  church  in  BrownviUe  village 
was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $1,600,  and  in  1852  a  session  house  ad- 
joining, at  a  cost  of  $350.  The  clergy  have  been,  Noah  W. 
Wells,  James  R.  Boyd,  John  Sessions,  E.  H.  Snowden,  Pcxte* 
Clary,  Calvin  Yale,  0.  P.  Conklin,  S.  M.  Wood  and  Sylvester 
Holmes,  the  latter  being  the  present  pastor  of  this  church  and 
one  at  Dexter. 

A  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  at  the  latter  place  in 
1839,  by  the  Watertown  Presbytery,  of  eighteen  members.  A 
society  was  formed  Sept.  24,  1842,  with  Joshua  Eaton,  Joseph 
Huntington,  David  H.  Freeman,  Harvey  Crocker,  and  Levi 
Smith,  trustees.  •  A  church  was  built  in  1843-6,  and  the  clergy 
have  been  Messrs.  Conklin,  Wood,  Whitney  and  Holmes,  being 
generally  the  same  as  those  at  BrownviUe.  The  present  num- 
ber belonging  to  this  church  is  fifty=nine,  of  whom  eighteen 
are  males. 


108 


Broumvitte. 


I 

i! 

!l  ii 


mil 


The  Brownville  Baptist  church  (at  Perch  RiverV  was  organ- 
ized  September  7,  1806,  and  at  an  ecclesiastical  council,  held 
at  the  house  of  John  W.  Collins,  October  10,  they  were  fellow- 
shipped  by  delegates  from  Champion,  Rutland  and  Adams.  It 
at  first  numbered  ten  members.  Elder  Sardis  Little  was  or- 
dained over  this  church  January  10,  1816,  and  preached  many 
years.  A  society  was  legally  organized  April  25,  1825,  at 
which  Melvin  Moflfatt,  Walter  Cole,  George  Brown,  Nathaniel 
Peck,  and  William  Webb  were  chosen  trustees.  It  was  reor- 
ganized February  1 1,  1833.  In  1827  they  erected  their  present 
stone  church,  at  a  cost  of  $2,800.  Previous  to  1812  they  had 
built  a  log  church,  and  in  the  war  enclosed  it  with  pickets,  but 
the  defense  was  never  completed.  Here  the  timid  ones  of  the 
settlement  were  accustomed,  in  the  early  days  of  the  war,  to 
spend  the  night,  enhancing  each  other's  fears  by  relating  tales  of 
massacre,  but  these  apprehensions  were  ridiculed  by  the  more 
reflective,  and  were  soon  laid  aside.  A  Baptist  church  was 
formed  on  Pillar  Point  in  1838,  and  the  next  year  reported  thirty 
members.  No  returns  have  been  made  from  this  church  for  the 
last  four  years.  A  society  was  formed  September  22,  1838,  with 
S.  Howard,  G.  C.  Persons,  Hiram  A.  Bead,  Solomon  Ingalls, 
Elisha -Harris,  and  Samuel  R.  Campbell,  trustees. 

The  Moral  and  Religious  Society  of  Perch  River  was  formed 
March  19,  1851.  Silas  F.  Spicer,  Archibald  Sternberg,  John 
Cole,  Lucius  M.  Webb,  and  Charles  B.  Avery,  were  chosen 
trustees.  A  union  church  w^as  built  in  1851  by  this  society,  at 
a  cost  of  $1,500. 

A  Methodist  society  was  formed  in  Brownville,  August  3, 
1829,  with  Joshua  Heminway,  Henry  W.  Chapman,  Samuel 
Knapp,  Isaac  Meacham,  William  Lord,  and  Daniel  Case,  trus- 
tees. In  1832  they  erected  the  present  church,  in  the  village. 
The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Pillar  Point  was  organ- 
ized January  9,  1836,  the  first  trustees  being  Isaac  Luther,  John 
D.  Ingerson,  Smith  Luther,  Lyman  Ackerman,  and  Stephen  P. 
Brackett.    It  has  been  once  or  twice  reorganized. 

The  first  Universalist  society  of  Dexter  was  formed  September 
5,  1841,  with  John  Maynard,  Thomas  Broadbent,  Solon  Stone, 
David  Barker,  Francis  W.  Winne,  and  Eleazer  Parker,  trustees. 
A  church  was  built  the  same  season,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,300, 
and  dedicated  December  23,  1841,  sermon  by  Rev.  Pitt  Morse. 
Rev.  H.  L.  Hayward  (January  1,  1842),  was  employed  as  the 
first  clergyman.  He  was  succeeded  by  G.  S.  Abbott  (from  No- 
vember, 1842,  to  January  1,  1846).  J.  Wendall,  C.  A.  Skinner, 
William  McNeal,  Lyman  Perry,  and  Asa  Sax,  have  been  em- 
ployed by  the  society,  generally  on  alternate  sabbaths,  at  sala- 
ries of  $150  to  $200.    The  first  Universalist  society  of  Brown- 


Cape  Vincent. 


109 


ville  was  formed  December  17,  1851,  with  Alanson  Skinner, 
Henry  Lord,  William  Lord,  Lewis  Maynard,  George  Brown,  and 
Heman  Russ,  trustees.  In  1852-3,  they  erected  a  church  in  the 
village  of  Brownville. 

Cape  Vincent. 

This  town  was  named  from  its  principal  village,  and  the  lat- 
ter from  Vincent  Le  Ray,  a  son  of  the  landholder,  who  owned, 
at  an  early  day,  this  town  and  many  others  in  the  county.  It 
was  erected  from  Lyme,  April  10,  1849,  embracing  all  west  of 
a  line  running  from  the  mouth  of  Little  Fox  Creek,  N.,  48|''  £., 
646  chains;  thence  N.  57°  £.,  235*56  chains,  to  the  town  of 
Clayton.  The  first  town  meeting  was  directed  to  be  held  at  the 
house  of  Jacob  Berringer,  at  which  the  following  officers  were 
first  elected:  Frederick  A.  Folger,  supervisor;  John  W.  Little, 
clerk;  William  H.  Webb,  superintendent  of  schools;  J.  Ber- 
ringer, Augustus  Awberton,  Barney  W.  Payne,  justices  of  the 
peace;  E.  Clement,  collector;  John  H.  Lawton,  Adam  A.  Gray, 
assessors;  Buel  Fuller,  commissioner  highways;  Francis  A. 
Cross,  overseer  of  poor. 

The  Supervisors  have  been,  in  1849,  F.  A.  Folger;  1850-1, 
Robert  C.  Bartlett;  1852, Charles  Smith;  1853,  Otis  P.  Starkey. 

This  town  is  the  oldest  in  settlement  in  the  county,  'Carlton 
Island  having  been  occupied  by  a  British  fort  for  a  long  period 
before  the  adjacent  country  had  been  purchased  and  colonized. 
As  the  title  of  this  island  possesses  considerable  interest,  we  will 
give  in  this  connection  some  details  that  were  not  noticed  in  the 
chapter  on  titles.  The  island  was  reserved  by  the  state,  in 
their  cession  to  Macomb. 

A  military  bounty,  or  class  right,  was  issued  to  Wm.  Rich- 
ardson, a  sergeant  in  the  New  York  line  of  the  revolutionary 
war.  Matthew  Watson  and  William  Guilland  became  the  pur- 
chasers of  this  right,  and  on  the  2d  of  October,  1786,  located 
the  same  on  Carlton  Island,  generally.  The  land  commissioners 
sanctioned  this  location,  but  inserted  the  condition  that  it  should 
be  void  if  the  island  in  the  division  should  fall  to  Canada. 
Guilland  sold  his  right  to  Watson,  who  died  leaving  three  child- 
ren, John,  Margaret  and  Jane,  two  of  whom  (John  and  Jane) 
died  without  issue,  leaving  their  sister  Margaret  their  heir-at- 
law,  who  married  one  Jacob  Ten  Broeck,  and  these  sold  their 
right  to  Charles  Smyth. 

This  subject  came  before  the  legislature  in  1821,  and  from  the 
report  of  the  committee,*  it  appears  that  previous  to,  and  since 
1786,  till  1812,  the  island  had  been  held  by  the  British,  so  that 

*  Asrembly  Papen,  Mucellaneoui,  Vol.  XI,  P.  2ft4,  Secretary'!  office. 


no 


Cajm  rincent' 


it  was  not  in  the  power  of  the  proprietor  of  the  class  right  to 
have  a  survey  made,  according  to  the  location,  as  is  provided 
by  the  statute,  and  to  sue  out  letters  patent  within  the  time  lim- 
ited by  law.  Hence  the  necessity  of  special  legislation,  and  the 
surveyor  general,  to  whom  the  question  was  referred,  advised 
that  the  title  should  not  be  prejudiced  by  reason  of  the  lapse  of 
time  between  the  location  and  application  for  a  patent.  Smyth 
also  applied  for  the  purchase  of  the  remainder,  in  all  about  1200 
acres,  and  the  committee  ascertaining  that  twelve  families  were 
located  there,  and  that  depredations  were  being  made  upon  the 
timber,  for  which  cause  they  advised  a  compliance  with  the  re- 
quest. An  act  was  passed  March  2,  1821,  directing  a  patent  to 
be  issued  for  600  acres  from  the  west  end  of  the  iuland. 

Mr.  F.  R.  Hasler,  the  distinguished  mathematician,  who  for 
many  years  had  charge  of  the  coast  survey,  and  was  then  resi- 
ding in  town  on  the  south  shore  opposite,  was  appointed  to  sur- 
vey the  island,  in  1823,  and  from  his  report,*  we  quote  the 
following  remarks. 

"  There  are  about  30  acres  of  old  improved  land  near  the 
south  shore,  called  the  King's  Garden,  which  are  very  good  land, 
the  higher  part  is  somewhat  stoney,  yet  not  impeding  the  plow- 
ing. The  timber  generally  young,  second  growth,  beech,  maple, 
oak,  birch,  hickory,  and  a  few  pines.  Value  $5,  without  the 
improvements."  This  lot  was  about  midway  between  the  two 
extremities  on  the  south  side,  and  a  hundred  chains  from  the 
westerly  point  of  the  island.  At  the  time  of  the  survey  there 
were  8  log  houses  and  2  shanties  on  the  island,  with  197 
acres  cleared,  and  improvements  worth  $1,020.  The  total 
area  was  1,274  acres,  mostly  prized  at  $4  per  acre.  The 
map  made  by  Mr.  Hasler,  in  the  state  engineer  and  surveyor's 
office  (No.  266)  represents  the  outline  of  Fort  Carlton,  as  it 
then  existed,  and  must  continue  till  the  end  of  time,  as  the 
excavation  that  formed  the  moat  was  made 
in  the  rock.  We  insert  here  a  plan  and 
section  of  the  fort,  from  a  sketch  made  in 
June  last,  which  will  convey  a  general 
idea  of  the  work.  This  island  became 
after  the  war,  an  important  lumberings 
station,  the  bays  at  the  head  of  the  island 
affording  a  convenient  and  sheltered  place  for  the  making  up  of 
rafts.  Avery  Smith,  a  Canadian,  located  here  in  this  business 
in  1822,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Abijah  Lewis.  They 
afterwards  dissolved  partnership,  and  continued  the  business 
separately.    Schools  were  established  here,  a  store  opened,  and 

*  Field  Book,  No.  30,  p.  18,  State  Engineer's  Office. 


Cape  Vincent. 


Ill 


up  of 

isiness 

They 

lusiness 

1(1,  and 


twenty  or  thirty  families  settled.  By  an  act  of  April  17th, 
1822,  a  justice  of  the  peace  was  directed  to  be  appointed.  Mr. 
—  Shuiuway  was  the  only  one  who  held  the  office  here.  In 
1824-5,  the  businei*  of  the  place  began  to  decline,  and  but  two 
families  were  residing  on  the  island  in  June,  1853.  There  is 
scarcely  among  the  lovely  scenery  of  the  islands,  a*  more  de- 
lightful spot  than  that  occupied  by  the  ruins  here,  and  the  fruit 
trees  growing  abundantly  without  cultivation  in  the  vicinity, 
evince  that  the  former  occupants  paid  some  attention  to  this 
branch  of  husbandry.  The  trees  appear  to  have  sprung  from 
those  planted  by  the  English.  The  earliest  settlement  on  the  main 
land  in  this  town,  was  made  by  Abijan  Putnam  from  Rome,  who 
in  1801,  located  two  miles  below  the  present  village  of  Cape 
Vincent,  at  a  place  early  known  as  Port  Putnam,  where  he  estab- 
lished the  first  ferry  to  Wolf  Island.  He  was  sent  there  for  the 
purpose  by  Jacob  Brown,  the  agent  of  Le  Ray.  One  Samuel 
Cone,  settled  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  island  at  the  same 
time.  In  1803,  the  state  road  was  extended  from  Brownville  to 
this  place,  and  cut  out  and  partly  worked  in  the  winter  of  1803^ 
4.  In  1804,  John  Macombs,  and  Peter  Sternberg,  from  near 
Little  Falls,  purchased  Putnam's  chance,  laid  out  the  plan  of  a 
village,  and  sold  a  few  lots.  In  May  1803,  John  B.  Esselstyn, 
from  Montgomery,  settled  three  miles  below  the  present  village 
of  Cape  Vincent.  Daniel  Spinning  came  from  Western,  la 
1804,  and  soon  after  two  families  by  the  name  of  Smith,  Jona- 
than Cummings,  —  Sheldon,  and  others,  located  near  the  place. 
In  1806,  Richard  M.  Esselstyn,  settled  near  Putnam's  ferry  with 
bis  brother. 

The  first  work  of  importance  done  at  the  present  village  of 
Cape  Vincent,  was  by  Eber  Kelsey,  from  Turin,  originally  from 
Connecticut,  who  in  the  summer  of  1809,  came  on  with  about 
twenty  men,  and  cleared  for  Le  Ray  a  tract  of  50  acres,  erected 
a  wharf,  block  dwelling  house  and  tavern,  a  frame  barn,  &c.; 
and  the  same  season,  Richard  M.  Esselstyn  built  a  house  and 
store,  and  commenced  trade,  under  the  firm  of  J.  B.  &  R.  M. 
Esselstyn.  Dr.  Avery  Ainsworth,  from  Vermont,  built  a  house 
and  store,  the  same  season,  and  was  the  first  physician  who 
settled  in  this  part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Le  Ray,  from  an  early 
period,  designed  Cape  Vincent  or  Gravelly  Point,  as  it  is  some- 
times called,  as  the  site  of  a  village,  which  from  its  proximity 
to  Kingston,  and  the  facility  with  which  the  river  could  be 
crossed  at  all  seasons,  rendered  a  very  eligible  point  for  a  com- 
mercial town.  A  mile  square  was  surveyed  and  lotted  in  1811, 
by  Musgrove  Evans,- one  of  the  surveyors  of  Le  Ray.  A  ferry  was 
early  established  here  by  Kelsey,  and  by  an  act  of  February  20th, 
1807,  Peter  Sternberg  procured  the  exclusive  right  of  ferrying 


112 


Cape  rincent. 


between  Carlton  Island  and  Long  Island,  for  a  term  of  ten  years. 
The  ferries  across  the  river  in  this;  town,  have  generally  been 
granted  by  the  legislature,  the  rutins  being  fixed  by  the  county 
courts.  Before  the  establishment  of  a  custom  house,  smuggling 
was  carrjed  on  with  impunity,  especially  during  the  embargo 
period,  when  the  temptation  was  great,  and  the  means  of  pre- 
vention comparatively  limited. 

In  1809  the  business  of  lumbering  was  commenced  by  Essel- 
styn  and  Murry,  the  latter  from  Augusta,  in  Canada,  the  timber 
being  bought  of  Le  Ray  and  exported  as  staves,  and  square 
timber.  This  business  gave  employment  to  many  men,  and  brought 
a  transient  population  to  the  place.  In  the  same  year  several 
families  made  a  permanent  stand  in  the  place.  In  1810  the  im- 
portation in  vessels  of  staves,  from  the  Genesee  and  Niagara 
countries,  gave  employment  to  a  considerable  number  and  brought 
in  much  money.  About  200,000  staves  were  imported,  and  at 
the  end  of  the  season  80  or  90,000  were  left.  The  business 
of  building  arks  for  the  Montreal  trade,  is  followed  to  some  ex- 
tent, and  in  1811,  it  was  continued  by  the  Esselstyns  on  their 
own  account,  but  not  so  extensively.  In  1812  the  embargo  was 
again  laid,  but  the  cry  of  war  had  been  so  long  heard,  that  it 
was  not  dreaded,  and  preparations  were  made  to  raft  the  staves, 
that  remained  of  the  business  of  1810,  but  before  the  embargo 
was  to  have  ceased,  war  was  declared,  and  the  lumber  was  after- 
wards mostly  used  as  fuel  by  Wilkinson's  army.  At  this  time,  there 
were  but  about  six  families  at  Cape  Vincent.  The  news  of  the 
war  spread  terror  throughout  the  settlement,  and  this  point  being 
nearest  to  Kingston,  was  considered  of  much  importance  by  Ge- 
neral Brown,  upon  whom  the  care  of  the  early  military  operations 
of  this  place  was  iaid.  C^pt.  Farrar,  had  been  stationed  here  a 
short  time  before,  with  a  part  of  a  company  of  militia,  to  enforce 
the  embargo.  Major  John  B.  Esselstyn,  a  resident  of  the  place, 
was  immediately  directed  to  assemble  a  body  of  militia,  and  three 
companies  were  collected  and  retained  under  his  command,  until 
Major  Allen  could  arrive  with  his  draft.  A  company  of  drafted 
militia  from  the  Mohawk  settlements,  under  Capt.  Getm^i,  and 
subsequently  others  were  posted  here  a  short  time. 

A  few  days  after,  war  had  been  declared,  but  before  the  news 
was  received,  the  Niagara,  and  Ontario,  two  schooners,  laden 
with  flour  and  potash,  from  Queenstown  to  Brockville,  were  seized 
by  Mr.  Elijah  Fields,  Jr.,  deputy  collector  at  Cape  Vincent,  and 
taken  to  Sackets  Harbor,  where  an  investigation  was  held;  the 
Niagara  was  condemned  and  sold,  the  Ontario  was  released 
and  allowed  to  depart.  The  vessels  were  owned  by  Porter  & 
Barton,  of  Niagara,  and  were  taken  in  our  waters,  without  papers, 
and  in  violation  of  the  revenue  laws. 


Cape  Vincent, 


113 


e  news 
s,  laden 
seized 
nt,  and 
;ld;the 
eleascd 
orter  & 
papers, 


During  the  war,  as  would  be  very  naturally  supposed,  this 
point  being  the  most  exposed  on  the  whole  frontier,  and  one  of 
the  few  places  then  inhabited  on  the  river,  became  the  scene  of 
adventures  that  attracted  notice  at  the  time  and  are  still  preser- 
ved by  traditions.  On  a  certain  occasion,  probably  in  the  summer 
of  1813,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Draper,  who  belonged  to  Capt. 
Getman's  company,  and  served  as  an  express  to  Sackets  Harbor, 
learning  that  a  party  of  Indians  had  been  lurking  on  Wolf  Island, 
solicited  and  obtained  of  Col.  Dodge,  at  Sackets  Harbor,  leave 
(not  orders)  to  raise  a  party  of  volunteers  from  the  company  and 
dislodge  them.  A  gunboat,  under  Capt.  Hawkins,  having  touched 
at  the  Cape,  agreed  to  take  them  over,  but  not  to  take  part  in  the 
affair.  As  the  boat  approached,  a  gun  was  fired,  which  put  the 
Indians  to  flight.  They  were  hastily  pursued  about  a  mile  to  an 
open  field,  beyond  a  bridge  crossing  a  marsh,  where  Draper,  by 
carelessly  exposing  himself  to  the  shots  of  the  enemy,  was  killed, 
and  two  others  slightly  wounded.  The  party  hastily  returned, 
leaving  him;  and,  according  to  some  accounts,  he  was  scalped. 
This  has  been  denied,  and  it  is  generally  believed  he  was  buried, 
but  so  slightly  that  the  foxes  dug  to  him,  and  he  was  afterwards 
again  interred. 

A  little  before  the  attack  on  Sackets  Harbor,  a  British  gunboat 
touched  at  Cape  Vincent,  in  the  night,  and  a  part  of  the  crew  having 
landed,  heard  of  the  presence  of  a  party  of  three  dragoons,  who 
had  put  up  for  the  night  from  Sackets  Harbor.  One  of  these, 
named  Moore,  who  was  an  accomplished  fencer,  retreated  to  a 
corner  of  the  room  and  kept  off  his  assailants  so  effectually,  that, 
finding  it  impossible  to  take  him  alive,  he  was  shot.  His  comrades 
escaped,  and  the  enemy  returned  to  their  boats.  Two  weeks  later, 
another  visit  was  made,  a  store  plundered,  and  temporary  bar- 
racks in  the  place  burned.  Subsequenv  visits  for  plunder  followed, 
and  many  of  the  inhabitants  left  for  a  less  exposed  situation.  Late 
in  1813  General  Wilkinson's  army  stopped  a  short  time  at  the 
place.  After  the  war,  lumbering  was  resumed,  and  the  opening 
of  roads,  especially  the  turnpike  from  Brownville,  gave  a  new 
impulse  to  the  settlement. 

Until  about  1816,  the  settlements  along  the  river  were  limited 
to  a  few  points,  but  about  this  time  the  country  around  began  to 
be  taken  up;  new  roads  were  opened  in  every  direction,  and  for 
a  short  time,  the  country  advanced  rapidly  in  population  and 
improvements,  which  continued  till  the  completion  of  the  Erie 
Canal.  At  Cape  Vincent,  several  educated  and  accomplished 
French  families  located;  among  whom,  in  1818,  was  Peter 
Francis  Real,  known  in  European  history  as  Count  Real,  the 
chief  of  police  under  Napoleon.  The  change  of  political  pros- 
pects in  France,  in  a  few  years,  recalled  many  celebrated  exiles 


114 


Cape  Vincent. 


who  hnd  adhered  to  th(  fortunes  of  Napoleon,  and  fled  from  the 
disasters  which  overtook  that  dynasty*  among  whom  were  Count 
Keul,  and  others  who  had  made  this  country  theii  rome.  At 
about  the  same  time,  Mr.  F.  R.  ilasler,  the  eminent  philosopher 
and  engineer,  having  become  interested  in  real  estate  in  this 
place,  came  here  tu  reside  with  his  family,  and  planned  the  es- 
tablishment  of  a  normal  school,  which  he  never  perfected.  The 
village  was  a  favorite  resort  with  Mr.  Le  Ray,  and  he  was  often 
accompanied  by  eminent  foreigners,  who  never  visited  the  county 
without  becoming  his  guests,  and  sharing  that  refined  hospitality 
which  he  knew  so  well  how  to  bestow.  The  first  visit  of  Le  Ray 
to  this  place  was  in  1803,  and  was  attended  with  the  followinr^ 
incident: 

He  was  accompanied  by  Gouverneur  Morris,  and  after  visii  \i\% 
Brownville,  they  took  an  open  boat  to  continue  their  journey,  as 
Mr.  Morris  had  a  wooden  leg,  and  could  not  conveniently  travel 
in  the  woods  by  the  rude  means  of  communicat  ion  which  the 
country  then  afforded,  and  he  was  moreover  very  partial  to  sail- 
ing, and  claimed  to  be  especially  skillful  in  managing  water 
craft.  On  passing  Cherry  Island,  Mr.  Morris  observed  that  ihere 
must  be  fine  fishmg  there,  and  as  he  had  with  him  his  French 
cook,  and  culinary  apparatus,  he  declared  he  would  serve  his 
friend  a  better  fish  dinner  than  he  had  ever  tasted.  Mr  Le  Ray 
objected  that  it  was  s^'  tting  late  and  cloudy,  and  they  had  a  great 
ways  to  run  before  reaching  Putnam's,  the  first  settlement  on  the 
shore.  Nothing  would  do;  Mr.  Morris  was  as  fond  of  good  cheer 
as  of  sailing,  and  they  stopped.  They  had  good  fishing,  and 
a  capital  dinner;  but  it  was  late  before  they  set  sail  again, 
and  dark  before  they  reached  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  they  were 
obliged  to  stop  at  Gravelly  Point,  two  miles  above  Putnam's, 
where  they  pitched  their  tent  and  went  to  bed,  for  they  had  all 
the  necessary  implements.  In  the  middle  of  the  night,  a  fire 
built  before  the  tent  set  it  in  flames;  Mr  Morris,  thus  unseason- 
ably disturbed,  felt  all  around  for  his  wooden  leg,  but  was 
obliged  to  flee  without  it.  The  exposure  to  vrind  and  rain  pro- 
duced in  Mr.  Le  T^ay  a  violent  illnes>^  ...u;  he  with  difficulty 
returned  to  Brownville.  Dr.  Kirkpat' if  V  \-\:-  jcured  .'-ji 
Rome,  and  he  was  long  confined  with  .      .  .,droi.i  fever. 

A  custom  house  was  established  here,  and  Cape  Vincent  dis- 
trict organized  in  1818.  The  greatest  amount  of  business  was 
formerly  done  in  winter,  but  since  the  completion  of  the  Water- 
town  and  Rome  Rail  Road  the  business  has  very  greatly  in- 
creaf:ed.  The  collectors  have  been  John  B.  Esselstyn,  Jerre 
Cnrrier,  Judah  T.  Ainsworth,  Peleg  Burchard,  Gideon  S.  Sacket, 
and  Alfred  Fox.  The  ports  of  Alexandria  Bay,  Clayton,  Mil- 
kn's  Bay,  Grenadier  Island,  Three  Mile  Bay,  Chaumont  Bay 


I 


vm 


Cape  Vinrent. 


115 


ti'?; 


ess  was 
Water- 

atly  in- 
I,  Jerre 
Sacket, 

on,  Mil- 

ont  Bay 


and  Point  Peninsula  are  subordinate  to  this,  and  included  in  the 
district.  The  prtscn  ofHcers  ja  fills  olHce  ate:  Altit-d  Fox, 
collector i  Charles  W.  Rogers,  William  EstM,  deputy  collectors, 
James  L.  Folger,  L.  U.  Taible  inspectors.  In  1848  the  official 
returns  gave  $91,597;  in  lb4U,  $90,484;  in  1860,  !|liJO,040; 
and  in  1851  of  $94,546. 

A  considerable  amount  of  ship  building  has  U^en  carried  on 
at  Cape  Vincent  since  1819.  The  following  is  believed  m  be  a 
correct  list  of  vessels  built  here,  the  names  of  first  roasters 
(when  known)  being  given  in  italics.  Schooners:  H«nry,  John 
Davis;  V.  Le  Ray,  do.;  Lafayette,  Mastin;  Ainsworth,  J.  Be- 
lisle;  Hannah,  Peter  Ingalls;  O.  P.  Starkt-y,  do.;  L.  Goler, 
Lucas;  Victor,  Ripley;  Free  Trader,  Shattucic;  Chief  Justice 
Marshall,  Edie;  brig,  Merchant,  T.  Pheatt;  schooners,  Henry 
Crevolin,  Belisle;  John  E.  Hunt,  P.  Ingalls;  Napoleor  ,  Crouch; 
Merchant,  J.  Harris;  Amelia,  Shattuck;  Rosco^,  do;  Potomac, 
do;  brig,  Iowa;  sloop,  Elizabeth  Goler,  Cummim.  s;  brig, 
Patrick  Henry,  W.  E.  Ingalls;  schooner,  Montezuroa,  Smith; 
Troy;  Allanwick;  Globe,  Goler;  propeller,  St.  Nicholas-,  LtWsy 
schooner,  Charles  Smith,  W.  E.  Ingalls;  Algomah,  Reid  Silas 
Wright,  Fuller;  Port  Henry,  J.  Jarvis. 

Application  for  the  incorporation  of  the  village  of  Capt  Vin- 
cent, was  made  to  the  court  of  sessions,  June  14th,  1863.  A 
census  taken  on  tMe  14th  of  April,  gave  a  population  of  ]218, 
within  the  proposed  limits,  or312i  acres.  The  petition  to  the 
court  was  signed  by  Jerre  Carrier,  Samuel  Forsyth,  Zebu  Ion 
Converse  and  L.  H.  Ainsworth,  and  an  election  was  held  in 
July,  which  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  the  charter  by  a  vote  of 
80  to  2.  The  first  village  election  was  held  August  9th,  1853, 
at  which  J.  Carrier,  T.  Peugnet,  J.  T.  Ainsworth,  J.  L.  Folgtr, 
and  L.  H.  Ainsworth,  were  chosen  trustees;  William  R.  Sander^, 
clerk;  W.  J.  Ingalls,  C.  Smith,  C.  Wright,  assessors;  R.  Crary , 
treasurer;  J.  L.  Gardenier,  collector. 

The  rail  road  company  have  built  here,  for  the  accommodation 
of  an  immense  and  rapidly  increasing  trade,  a  wharf  about  3000 
feet  long,  and  two  freight  houses,  one  35  by  600  feet,  and 
another  35  by  100.     During  the  last  season,  they  have  com- 

{)leted  a  grain  elevator,  60  by  90  feet,  and  70  feet  high,  for  un- 
oading  grain  trom  vessels,  and  loading  upon  cars,  and  with 
ample  bins  for  the  storage  of  grain.  They  have  also  completed  a 
passenger  depot,  50  by  200  feet,  including  a  hotel,  and  are  ex- 
tending their  improvements  as  the  wants  of  trade,  and  the 
increate  of  business  demand.  There  runs  between  this  rail  road 
a  si  the  Michigan  Central,  a  line  of  propellers,  consisting  of  the 
Bay  Slate,  Capt.  A.  Reed;  Yorthern  Michigan,  Capt.  J.  M. 
Green;  Jefferson,  Capt.  D.  H.  Dixon;  Hercules,  Capt.  J.  Bost- 


lii 


116 


Cape  Vincent. 


wick;  and  Young  America,  Capt.  L.  W.  Bancroft.  These 
propellers  were  mostly  built  at  Buffalo  within  the  last  two  years, 
and  have  a  tonnage  of  372.  They  are  owned  by  Bancroft  & 
Co. 

There  is  also  a  line  of  steamers,  consisting  of  the  Champion, 
May  Flower,  and  Highlander,  running  daily,  in  connection  with 
trains,  to  all  Canadian  ports  from  Kingston  to  Hamilton,  and  a 
ferry  leaves  on  the  arrival  of  every  passenger  train  for  Kingston. 
The  express  line  of  the  Ontario  and  St,  Lawrence  Steam  Boat 
Company,  consisting  of  the  magnificent  steamers  J^ew  York  and 
Bay  State,  form  a  daily  line  between  Ogdensburg  and  Levviston, 
from  June  till  October,  and  touch  both  ways  at  this  place. 

An  appropriation  of  $3,000  was  made,  May  18th,  1826,  for 
the  erection  of  a  light  house  on  Tibbets*  Point,  at  the  mouth  of 
the  St.  Lawrence,  nearly  two  miles  from  the  village,  and  recently 
measures  have  been  adopted  for  the  erection  of  another,  at  the 
head  of  Carlton  Island.  A  breakwater  in  front  of  the  piers  at 
Cape  Vincent,  is  demanded  by  the  commercial  wants  of  the 
place,  and  it  is  presumed  will  ere  long  be  built  by  the  general 
government  who  can  not  long  neglect  an  improvement  so 
obviously  necessary. 

The  village  of  Cape  Vincent  is  delightfully  located  near  the 
head  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  on  a  plain  that  rises  by  a  gentle  slope, 
and  is  laid  out  in  squares.  It  contains  churches  of  Episcopal, 
Presbyterian,  and  Catholic  orders,  two  wharves,  besides  the  ample 
ones  lately  constructed  by  the  rail  road  company,  the  usual  variety 
of  mechanics,  and  is  the  residence  of  many  engaged  in  the  em- 
ployment  of  the  rail  road,  and  the  navigatian  of  the  lakes. 

In  Lake  Ontario,  opposite  to  this  town,  and  forming  a  part  of 
it,  is  Grenadier  Island,  that  was  patented  separately  from  the 
lands  on  the  main  shore,  and  of  the  title  of  which  there  occurred 
some  interesting  negotiation. 

Patrick  Colquhoun,  in  a  letter  before  us,  dated  London,  June 
4,  1792,  made  to  Wm.  Constable,  who  held  at  that  time  the  in- 
terest in  Macomb's  contract,  a  proposition,  to  purchase  several 
of  the  islands  near  the  confluence  of  the  lake  and  river,  and  also 
the.  small  islands  lyirig  in  Niauern,  or  Nivernois  Bay,  among 
which  were  Chevruelle,  or  Roe  Buck  Island,*  Renard  or  Foxes 
Island,  and  otheis,  of  which  the  only  description  he  possessed  was 
drawn  from  Sauthier's  map,  which  was  very  defective  in  the  de- 
tails of  this  section  of  the  state.  He  offered  for  these  islands, 
which  he  represented  as  including  about  ten  thousand  acres,  "and 
are  said  to  be  rocky  and  overgrown  with  juniper  and  other  small 


*  Carlton  Island,  which  ha  supposed  was  includtd  in  the  contract. 


Cape  Vincent. 


117 


so 


shrubs,  which  indicate  a  poverty  of  soil,"  the  sum  of  JC400  sterl., 
as  soon  as  a  patent  could  be  obtained,  and  ihe  title  deeds  made 
out,  and  if  any  small  islands,  not  specified  in  the  above  offer,  were 
found  to  lie  in  the  vicinity,  they  were  to  be  included.  In  a  post- 
script he  oflered  to  pay  one  hundred  per  cent,  on  whatever  these 
islands  shall  cost  in  the  gross,  when  payment  was  made  to  the 
state  of  New  York,  according  to  the  measurement. 

It  is  probable  that  the  fact  of  Grenadier  Island's  being  con- 
tracted to  Macomb,  was  not  known  to  the  parties  who  presented 
Feb.  24,  1803,  to  the  legislature,  the  following  petition: 

"The  memorial  of  Samuel  English,  and  Hezekiah  Barret, 
humbly  sheweth;  that  whereas  your  memorialists  did  petition  the 
honorable  legislature  in  their  last  session,  for  a  grant  of  a  cer- 
tain island,  lying  in  the  Lake  Ontario,  between  Oswego,  and  the 
head  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  belonging  to  the  people  of  this 
state,  on  such  terms  as  your  honorable  body  should  deem  meet 
and  reasonable,  which  island  is  known  by  the  name  of  Grenadier 
Island,  and  is  supposed  to  contain  about  1000  acres.  Your  me- 
morialists being  informed,  that  a  bill  did  pass  the  honorable  house 
of  assembly  last  session  in  their  favor,  but  doubts  arising  in  the 
breasts  of  some  of  the  members,  that  the  Indian  title  might  not 
be  extinguished,  the  bill  was  finally  lost.  Your  memorialists  hav- 
ing made  diligent  inquiry,  are  satisfied  that  there  is  no  claim 
upon  said  island,  by  the  Indians,  and  that  it  is  actually  the  pro- 
perty of  this  state,  which  induces  them  once  more  to  pray,  that 
your  honorable  body  will  grant  them  the  said  Island,  and  they 
will  engage  to  settle  the  same  within  twelve  months,  after  re- 
ceiving a  grant  therefor." 

A  slight  investigation  was  sufficient  to  prove,  that  the  state 
had  no  power  to  convey  the  island,  which  was  not  done  until  the 
boundary  had  been  finally  settled. 

Grenadier  Island,  first  began  to  be  settled  two  or  three  years 
before  the  war,  and  in  1813  it  became  the  rendezvous  of  the 
army  and  fleet  of  General  Wilkinson,  in  his  disastrous  expedi- 
tion down  the  St.  Lawrence,  which  both  in  plan,  and  execution, 
reflected  unmitigated  disgrace  upon  the  American  arms,  an(l 
deserved  infamy  upon  the  chief  conductors.  The  currents  have 
thrown  up  beaches,  at  the  east  extremity  of  the  island,  in  such 
a  manner,  as  to  form  a  capacious  bay,  which  is  named  Basin 
Harbor.  The  shores,  in  common  with  those  of  the  main  land, 
afford  valuable  seine  fisheries,  and  the  soil  is  very  fertile.  Before 
a  proprietor  appeared  to  show  title,  it  had  been  occupied  by 
about  fourteen  families.  It  is  now  owned  by  parties  in  Clayton 
Village,  and  is  occupied  as  an  extensive  dairy  farm.  The  first 
settler  on  this  island  is  said  to  have  been  John  Mitchel,  who  en- 
dured many  hardships  from  his  isolated  position  and  distance  from 


.■'S\ 


nei 


ghboi 


rs. 


118 


Cape  Vincent. 


The  most  disastrous  accident  that  ever  occurred  on  lake  Onta- 
rio happened  near  The  Ducks,  small  islands  near  the  Cana- 
da shore,  about  forty  miles  above  Kingston,  on  the  morning  of 
April  30,  1853.  The  upper  cabin  steamer  Ocean  Wave,  built 
in  Montreal,  in  1851,  and  owned  by  the  Northern  Rail  Road,  be- 
ing then  on  her  way  down  from  Hamilton  to  Ogdensburgh,  took 
6re  between  one  and  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  was  burned. 
The  fire  took  near  the  engine,  and  appeared  to  have  been  occa- 
sioned by  the  faulty  construction  of  the  boat,  which  had  been 
on  fire  on  one  or  two  previous  occasions.  When  the  flames 
were  discovered  they  were  making  such  rapid  progress,  from  the 
boat  being  newly  painted,  that  the  small  boats  could  not  be  got 
out,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  it  was  enveloped  in  flames. 
The  terrific  scene  that  ensued  defies  description,  the  miserable 
victims  having  but  a  moment's  time  for  deciding  by  which  mode 
of  death  they  should  perish.  The  light  attrroted  the  schooners 
Georgiana  and  Emblem,  who,  with  some  fishing  boats  from  the 
shore,  saved  twenty-one  persons  out  of  forty-four,  the  number  of 
the  crew  and  passengers.  The  steamer  Scotland  came  up  near 
the  wreck  about  sunrise,  and  passed  without  rendering  assistance. 
According  to  the  affidavit  of  the  captain  and  crew,  there  was  no 
one  floating  around  the  place  at  this  time. 

The  post  offices  in  the  town  of  Cape  Vincent  are,  Cape  Vin- 
cent, Millen^s  Bay,  and  St.  Lawrence. 

A  Union  Library  was  formed  August  14,  1824,  with  Gideon 
S.  Sacket,  John  B.  Esselstyn,  Danicd  Smith,  Stockwell  Osgood, 
Philip  P.  George,  Zebulon  Coburn,  and  Roswell  T.  Lee,  trus- 
tees. It  was  maintained  several  years,  when  it  was  discon- 
tinued. 

Religious  Societies.  The  first  Presbyterian  society  of  Lyme 
was  formed  at  Cape  Vincent,  December  22,  1824,  with  Benja- 
min Holmes,  Oliver  Lynch,  Hezekiah  H.  Smith;  Jedediah  C. 
Mills,  and  Samuel  Forsyth,  trustees.  A  church  had  been  previ- 
ously formed,  which  was  admitted  to  the  Presbytery  in  June, 
1823.  The  Rev.  J.  Burchard  was  employed  in  1824-25;  Eber 
Childs,  and  David  Smith  were  stated  supplies  for  a  few  months 
each;  Lucius  Foot  was  hired  in  1827.  A  stone  church  was 
built,  and  temporarily  fitted  for  use,  in  1832,  and  finished  about 
1840.  The  society  received  of  Mr.  Le  Ray  the  lot  and  $400. 
The  cost  of  the  church  was  about  $2,800.  A  bell  was  procured 
in  1852.    The  pews  are  rented  annually  to  support  the  minister. 

St.  John's  Church  (Episcopal)  was  formed  with  the  approba- 
tion of  Bishop  De  Lancey,  dated  December  26,  1840,  by  Rev. 
John  Noble,  on  the  17th  of  January,  1841.  A  society  was  le- 
gally organized,  January  25,  1841,  the  Rev.  John  Noble  being 
erctor;  John  B.  Esselstyn,  and  Nelson  B.  Williams,  wardens; 


Champion. 


119 


Nelson  Potter,  Otis  P.  Starkey,  Robert  Bartlett,  Calvin  K.  Pool, 
Judah  T.  Ainsworth,  Robert  Moore,  Rice  Parish,  and  William 
Esselstyn,  vestrymen.  A  lot  8  rods  by  20  was  given  for  the 
purpose  by  O.  P.  Starkey,  upon  which  a  small  but  convenient 
church  was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  $3,100,  between  June  1,  and 
October  1,  1841.  On  the  2d  day  of  June,  1842,  it  was  conse- 
crated. The  Society  has  since  erected  a  parsonage  opposite  the 
church.  Mr.  Nobles  has  been  succeeded  by  N.  Watkins,  April  6, 
1841;  Samuel  H.  Norton,  April  13,  1846;  Richard  Adams, 
1850;  and  James  Abercrombie,  June  23,  1852.  The  report  of 
1851  gave  53  families  and  240  persons,  as  belonging  to  the 
church;  whole  number  of  communicants  up  to  July,  1853,  has 
been  about  70. 

The  first  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  town  of  Cape 
Vincent,  was  formed  October  14,  1851,  with  William  King, 
George  Akerline,  William  Esselstyn,  Philelus  Judd,  Asa  S. 
Jones,  John  Hollenbeck,  and  John  Nimras,  trustees. 

The  Catholics,  in  the  summer  of  1853,  commenced  the  erec- 
tion of  a  church,  which  is  not  finished  at  the  time  of  writing. 
There  is  a  Catholic  church  in  the  French  settlement,  seven  miles 
from  the  village. 

Champion. 

This  town,  embracing  township  number  four,  of  the  Eleven 
Towns,  was  formed  from  Mexico,  by  an  act  of  March  14, 1800,  in- 
cluding all  that  part  of  the  present  town  of  Denmark,  north  of  Deer 
River.  It  received  its  name  from  General  Henry  Champion,  of 
Colchester,  Ct,  who  was  one  of  the  early  proprietors  of  this  town, 
and  was  also  very  extensively  interested  in  lands  in  Ohio,  and  in 
the  western  parts  of  this  state. 

Supervisors. — 1800-14,  Noadiah  Hubbard;  1815,  Wilkes  Ri- 
chardson; 1816,  17,  Stowell  Warner;  1818-20,  N.  Hubbard; 
1821,  Eseck  Lewis:  1822-6,  N.  Hubbard;  1827,  Samuel  Dean. 
At  a  special  town  meeting  in  October,  Eseck  Lewis  was  chosen 
to  fill  a  vacancy;  1828,  9,  Henry  D.  Cad  well;  1830-33,  Otis 
Loomis;  1834-38,  Richard  Hulbut;  1839,  40,  David  Smith; 
1841-43,  John  Pool,  Jr.;  1844, E.Lewis;  1845,  James  C. Lynde; 
1846,  David  Smith;  1847,  John  Pool,  Jr.;  1848,  Wm.  Vanhosen; 
1849,  D.  Smith;  1850,  Wm.  Vanhosen;  1851-3,  Benajah  A. 
Lewis. 

The  town  officers  elected  at  the  first  town  meeting,  April  1, 
1800,  were  Noadiah  Hubbard,  supervisor;  Eli  Church,  clerks- 
Timothy  Pool,  David  Coffeen  and  William  Hadsall,  assessors; 
Ephraim  Chamberlain,  constable  and  collector;  John  W^ard  and 
Reuben  Rockwood,  overseers  of  the  poor;  Solomon  Ward,  Ama- 
ziah  Parker,  and  EWhu  Jones,commissioners  of  highways;  Daniel 
Coffeen,  Wra.  Croweii,  Timothy  Pool  and  Moses  Goodrich,  over- 


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120 


Champion. 


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seers  of  highways;  Levi  Barns,  fence  viewer;  Bela  Hubbfru, 
pound  master. 

The  following  is  a  record  of  the  first  school  meetiiig  in  town, 
as  it  occurs  on  the  records  in  the  town  clerk's  office: 

"  Champion,  23d  October,  1800.  At  a  regular  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  aforesaid,  it  was  resolved,  that  there  shall 
be  a  house  erected  near  a  spring,  on  the  road  now  running  from 
Noadiah  Hubbard's  to  Daniel  Coffeen's,  in  said  town;  and  like- 
wise resolved,  that  said  house  shall  be  built  with  logs,  sixteen 
feet  one  way,  and  twenty  feet  the  other  way.  Also,  resolved  by 
said  meeting,  that  Daniel  CofTeen  and  Noadiah  Hubbard,  shall 
act  as  trustees  of  said  school.    Attest,  Eli  Church,  Town  Clerk." 

Champion  was  surveyed  by  Moses  and  Benjamin  Wright,  in 
1797,  the  former  subdividing,  and  the  latter  surveying  around  it; 
the  area,  according  to  M.  Wright,  was  26,703  acres,  and  by  B. 
Wright.  25,708  acres.     It  was  subdivided  into  lots  of  500  acres. 

This  town  v.as  the  first  one  in  which  actual  settlements  were 
begun  in  the  county,  unless,  perhaps  Elllsburgh,  which  was 
explored  with  the  view  of  settlement  at  about  the  same  time. 
The  following  advertisement  appeared  in  the  Western  Centinel,* 
June  7,  1797. 

"  Lands  for  sale,  lying  on  Black  River,  in  the  County  of 
Herkimer,  and  State  of  New  York. 

Forty  lots  of  land  laid  out  into  farms,  containing  from  100  to 
240  acres  each,  on  Inman's  Patent,f  so  called;  in  this  township 
there  is  about  forty  actual  settlers,  and  a  good  grist  mill  within 
one  mile  and  [illegible]  '*'**'  on  said  land.  This  land  is  of  an 
excellent  soil,  and  the  situation  convenient  and  pleasing  for  set- 
tlers. The  subscriber  will  remain  on  the  land  the  most  of  the 
ensuing  summer  and  fall.  Terms  of  payment  will  be  made  to 
accommodate  purchasers.  Also  township  No.  4,|  lying  on  and 
adjoining  Black  River,  about  thirty  miles  from  Boon's  Mills; 
this  township  is  of  an  excellent  soil;  twenty  actual  settlers  will 
be  on  this  township  this  summer.  For  terms  please  to  apply  to 
the  subscriber,  who  will  reside  on  Inman's  Patent,  or  to  Capt. 
Noadiah  Hubbard,  of  Steuben,  who  is  making  a  settlement  on 
said  township  No.  4. 

Also  for  sale  a  township  of  land  lying  on  Black  River,  near 
Lake  Ontario.^  These  townships  are  all  laid  out  in  lots,  and  will 
be  sold  by  large  or  small  quantities,  to  suit  purchasers,  and  the 
title  indisputable.  Also  ten  lots  of  land  to  be  leased  on  first 
tract."  Lemuel  Storks. 

May  10,  1797.  75,  4m. 

•  Published  by  Lewis  tr  Webb,  near  the  post  office  in  Whitestown,  County 
of  Herkimer.     Four  columns;  small  folio. 

t  Leyden.  t  Champion,  4  Houndsiield. 


:";*•' 


Champion. 


121 


Settlements  were  commenced  in  this  town  by  Noadiah  Hub- 
bard, in  1797,  the  details  of  which  we  give  in  the  following 
letter,  which  was  written  at  our  request,  and  can  not  fail  of  being 
read  with  interest: 

Champion,  June,  1853. 

**  Dr.  F.  B.  Hough,  Dear  Sir:  As  you  requested  some  months 
since,  1  now  transmit  to  you  a  few  of.  my  recollections  of  the 
early  settlement  of  this  county.  I  should  have  complied  with 
your  request  earlier  had  it  not  been  for  a  pressure  of  business 
during  the  summer  and  autumn,  and  more  recently  not  being  in 
my  usual  state  of  health. 

When  I  consider  the  long  lapse  of  time  since  the  first  settle- 
ment of  this  country  to  the  present,  and  my  very  advanced  age, 
I  can  scarcely  expect  to  write  much  that  will  interest  your  read- 
ers; and,  therefore,  I  give  you  liberty  to  use  or  not  to  use  the 
simple  records  as  you  see  fit.  I  am  past  the  age  when  most  men 
write  at  all,  being  now  in  my  eighty-ninth  year,  and  past  events 
may  well  be  supposed  to  be  becoming  dimmed  by  reason  of  age, 
and  more  like  a  dream  than  a  reality;  yet  I  have  been,  and  am 
wonderfully  blessed  both  as  respects  health  and  the  possession  of 
present  memory — some  of  the  choicest  gifts  of  a  kind  t'rovidence. 
All  the  companions  of  my  early  youth  and  of  my  more  mature 
years,  have  passed  away,  and  I  am  left  alone  to  tdl  the  tale. 
Yet  not  alone  as  it  respects  friends.  Others  have  risen  up  around 
me  to  take  the  place,  in  some  measure,  of  those  that  are  gone. 
Of  the  friends  of  my  early  manhood's  years,  I  often  feel  to  ex- 
claim where  are  they?  and  "  echo  answers  where  are  they?" 
Gone  to  that  "  bourne  fiora  whence  no  traveler  returns."  The 
original  landholders,  even,  of  all  this  region  of  country  are  passed 
away,  and  have  left  no  trace  or  name  save  in  the  title  deeds.  I 
have  not  very  many  records  of  those  early  days;  so  full  of  life 
and  bustle  were  they,  that  little  time  was  left  to  record  their  stir- 
ring events;  yet  some  I  have,  and  when  I  give  you  dates  at  all, 
they  are  from  memoranda  made  at  the  time. 

I  first  came  to  this  town,  Champion,  in  the  year  1797,  with 
Lemuel  Storrs,  a  large  landholder,  when  he  came  on  for  the  first 
time  to  view  his  purchase.  I  was  then  residing  in  Steuben,  in 
what  is  now  Oneida  County,  but  then,  or  shortly  before,  Herkimer. 
Mr.  Storrs  then  hired  several  pack  men,  whose  business  it  was 
to  carry  the  necessary  provisions  for  the  expedition  on  their 
backs.  This  'vas  late  in  the  autumn.  We  traveled  on  foot  by 
what  was  called  the  French  Road  to  the  High  Falls  on  the  Black 
River.  This  road  had  been  cut  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
French  refugees  who  had  made  a  settlement  at  High  Falls,  and 
had  then  a  log  city.  Many  of  these  French  belonged  to  the 
nobility  of  France,  who  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  country 

9 


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Champion. 


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It  *■ 
1  ;:- 


during  the  revolution  in  1793,  but  who  were  aAerwards  permit- 
ted to  return  when  the  star  of  empire  rose  upon  the  Bonapartes. 
Their  settlement  was  made  upon  what  was  called  the  French 
Tract,  on  the  north  and  east  side  of  the  Black  River,  and  extend- 
ing a  great  distance.  From  the  High  Falls  we  descended  the 
river  in  a  boat  to  the  rapids,  called  Long  Falls,  now  known  as 
Carthage.  Here  we  landed,  and  in  two  days  explored  the  town- 
ship, then  an  unbroken  wilderness.  On  our  way  down,  Silas 
Stow,  then  a  young  man,  and  afterward  known  as  Judge  Stow, 
of  Lowville,  joined  us.  On  the  third  day  we  reiimbarked  and 
proceeded  up  the  river,  and  it  was  two  days  hard  rowing  to  get 
back  again  to  the  His^h  Falls.  As  I  believe  I  before  mentioned, 
it  was  late  in  November,  and  the  night  we  were  obliged  to  be 
out,  we  encountered  a  severe  snow  storm.  To  protect  ourselves 
from  it  in  some  measure,  we  made  a  shanty  by  setting  up  some 
crotchets,  and  laying  on  poles,  and  covering  them  with  hemlock 
boughs.  We  also  scattered  branches  upon  the  ground  upon 
which  to  lie,  and  by  making  a  rousing  fire  in  front  of  our  shelter, 
we  contrived  to  be  very  comfortable.  By  this  time  our  provisions 
were  nearly  exhausted,  and  we  had  before  us  the  prospect  of  a 
hungry  day.  But  in  ascending  the  river  we  fortunately  killed  a 
duck  and  a  partriJge;  these  being  stripped  of  their  feathers  in 
the  evening,  I  cooked  them  for  our  breakfast  the  next  morning. 
I  prepared  them  as  nicely  as  we  could  with  our  scanty  means; 
salt  we  had  none.  I  had  a  little  pork  left;  this  I  cut  in  small 
bits  and  inserted  into  the  flesh  of  the  fowls,  when  it  served  the 
double  purpose  of  salt,  and  butter  for  basting.  To  cook  them  I 
set  up  a  couple  of  crotched  sticks,  laid  another  across,  and  from 
it  by  strips  of  bark  suspended  my  fowls  before  the  fire,  where 
they  cooked  most  beautifully,  and  were  all  in  good  time  partaken 
of  by  the  company  with  rare  relish.  Indeed,  Messrs.  Storrs  and 
Stow  declared  they  had  never  eaten  so  good.  Hunger  and  a 
limited  supply  gave  a  keenness  of  relish  not  often  experienced. 

In  due  time  we  arrived  safe  and  well  in  Steuben,  from  whence 
we  had  started,  where  I  passed  the  winter.  Mr.  Storrs  offered 
me  very  liberal  inducements  to  come  on  here  and  commence  a 
settlement;  so  liberal  that  I  determined  to  accept  them,  though 
I  may  say  in  passing  and  then  dismiss  the  subject  forever,  that 
he  failed  to  fulfil  his  liberal  offers.  But  in  consideration  of  those 
offers,  I  left  my  home  in  Steuben  the  1st  of  June,  1798,  and 
started  for  this  place,  accompanied  by  Salmon  Ward  and  David 
Starr,  with  fifteen  head  of  cattle.  We  traveled  again  upon  the 
French  road,  as  far  as  it  availed  us.  This  township  had  been 
surveyed  by  Benjamin  and  Moses  W^right,  the  year  before,  and 
this  year  Mr.  Storrs  had  engaged  B.  W.  to  survey  Hounsfield, 
and  on  his  way  there  he  was  to  mark  a  road  to  this  place,  and  to 


on,  if 


Champion. 


123 


precede  me.  I  met  the  surveyors  agreeably  to  appointment  at  a 
Mr.  Hoadley's,  and  from  there  we  came  on  to  what  is  called  Turin 
Four  Corners.  There  was  only  one  log  house  there  then.  From 
there  we  went  west  about  thirty  or  forty  rods  to  Zaccheus  Higby's. 
There  we  laid  down  our  maps  and  consulted  them,  and  came  to 
the  conclusion  to  take  from  thence  a  north  course.  This  led  us 
up  on  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  now  known  as  the  Tug  Hill.  We 
were  entirely  ignorant  of  the  face  of  the  country,  and  of  the 
most  eligible  route  to  pursue,  and  therefore  took  the  one  which 
seemed  the  most  direct,  not  knowing  the  obstacles  to  be  encoun- 
tered. We  had  before  come  down  by  water,  and  on  this  route 
there  was  not  even  a  marked  tree.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  sur- 
veyors to  precede  us,  mark  a  road  and  chain  it.  Mr.  W***  started 
in  advance  of  us  for  this  purpose.  It  was  a  beautiful,  clear 
morning  and  we  followed  on,  progressing  finely  until  the  middlg 
of  the  afternoon,  when  we  came  to  a  great  gulf,  and  an  abund- 
ance of  marked  trees.  We  went  over  the  gulf  but  could  find  no 
more  trees  marked.  We  then  made  a  fire  and  took  out  the  stop- 
pings from  our  bells,  and  suffered  our  cattle  to  feed  around  the 
fire,  while  we  set  ourselves  to  search  for  marked  trees,  over  the 
gulfs  and  up  and  down,  but  could  find  no  place  to  cross,  or  marks 
by  which  to  determine  what  course  the  surveyors  had  taken.  In 
this  predicament  we  prepared  to  construct  a  shelter  for  the  night 
of  hemlock  boughs,  &c. 

The  next  morning  the  sun  came  up  clear  and  bright,  and  I 
called  a  council.  I  told  the  men  how  much  damage  it  would  be 
to  me  to  return,  how  great  a  loss  not  to  proceed,  and  asked  them 
if  they  were  willing  to  come  on.  David  Starr  replied  that  he 
would  go  to  h — 1,  if  I  would.  Though  no  way  desirous  of  going 
to  the  latter  place,  even  in  good  company,  I  determined  to  come 
on,  if  such  a  thing  were  possible,  without  a  compass  or  guide. 
We  then  set  ourselves  to  work,  and  felled  trees,  with  which  we  made 
an  enclosure,  into  which  we  drove  our  cattle,  and  then  shoved 
them  down  the  precipice,  one  after  another;  they  went  up  slant- 
ingly on  the  other  side,  and  much  better  than  we  got  them  down, 
so  that  finally  they  were  all  safely  over,  after  much  toil  and 
trouble  I  then  agreed  to  pilot  the  company  down,  took  off  the 
ox  bell,  and  carried  it  in  my  hand,  leading  the  way,  and  steered 
a  north  course  by  the  sun  and  watch.  We  had  the  advantage  of 
a  bright  sunshine.  We  had  to  cross  a  number  of  gulfs,  and  one 
windfall,  which  was  the  worst  of  all.  We  continued  to  travel 
upon  the  summit  of  the  hill,  where  we  found  much  fine  table  land. 
The  cattle  would  travel  as  fast  as  I  could  lead  the  way.  One 
man  drove  them,  and  another  followed,  axe  in  hand,  to  mark  the 
trees,  and  leave  traces  behind  us,  so  that  if  we  could  not  advance, 
we  could  retrace  our  steps. 


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Champion. 


We  descended  the  hill  before  reaching  Deer  River.  The  lat- 
ter we  struck  and  crossed  above  the  falls — not  far  from  where  the 
village  of  Copenhagen  now  stands — and  coming  on,  we  succeed- 
ed in  finding  the  town  line,  which  was  identified  by  marked  trees, 
not  far  from  where  the  toll-gate  now  is,  on  the  Champion  and 
Copenhagen  Plank  Road.  We  then  changed  our  course,  follow- 
ing the  line  to  the  Black  River,  at  Long  Falls,  where  we  arrived 
before  night.  We  there  found  Mr.  W***  and  men.  They  had 
not  arrived  more  than  an  hour  before  us.  When  seeing  us,  Mr. 
W***  exclaimed,  "How,  in  the  name  of  God,  have  you  got  here?" 
I  replied,  "  You  scotmdrel!  you  ought  to  be  burnt  for  leaving  us 
so!"  It  was  a  most  rascally  piece  of  business,  their  leaving  us 
as  they  did.  But  I  suppose  the  truth  was,  they  thought  it  im- 
possible for  us  ever  to  get  through  with  our  cattle;  but  this  does 
not  excuse  them  for  not  having  marked  the  road;  ^twas  for  that 
they  were  sent — and  if  others  could  not  follow,  they  were  not 
answerable;  but  their  duty  was  plain  before  them. 

My  boat,  which  I  had  dispatched  from  the  High  Falls,  soon 
after  arrived,  with  my  provisions,  yokes,  chains,  cooking  utensils, 
&c.,  &c.  The  next  day  we  left  one  to  watch  our  effects,  while 
the  others  were  searching  for  a,  desirable  location.  In  a  few  days 
I  selected  the  farm  upon  which  I  now  live,  principally  for 
the  reason  that  it  was  the  centre  of  the  township,  rather  than 
for  any  peculiar  advantages  it  possessed  over  other  portions  of 
the  town.  Yet  the  soil  has  proved  good,  and  sufficiently  luxuri- 
ant with  proper  cultivation.  This  was  what  I  sought,  a  good 
agricultural  location,  rather  than  one  possessing  hydraulic  pri- 
vileges. Not  one  tree  had  been  cut  here  for  the  purpose  of  ma- 
king a  settlement,  nor  was  there  a  white  man  settled  in  what  is 
now  the  county  of  Jeflferson,  when  I  came  here.  I  was  the  first 
white  settler  in  the  county.  I  remained  here  through  the  sum- 
mer, and  until  October,  engaged  in  making  a  clearing.  We  then 
returned  to  Steuben,  where  my  family  was,  to  spend  the  winter. 

During  the  summer,  some  families  had  come  into  Lowville,  and 
Mr.  Storrs  had  caused  a  road  to  be  marked  from  there  to  the  Long 
Falls,  and  by  that  we  returned,  driving  our  cattle  home  again. 
These  had  become  fat,  by  running  in  the  woods,  during  the  sum- 
mer, and  I  sold  them  for  beef.  I  would  mention  here,  though 
rather  out  of  place,  that  1  found  a  living  spring  of  pure  water,  a 
few  rods  before  where  the  public  house,  in  this  place,  now  stands, 
which  had  its  influence  in  deciding  my  location.  Near  it  I  built 
my  first  house,  and  there  I  kept  "  bachelor's  hall"  two  summers, 
being  myself  "  chief  cook."  My  first  habitation  was  a  cabin, 
erected  in  a  few  hours'  time,  with  the  aid  of  my  men.  It  was  a 
rude  structure,  but  served  our  purpose.  We  first  set  some  posts, 
and  then,  having  felled  great  trees,  stripped  them  of  the  bark, 


Champion. 


125 


and,  with  this,  covered  the  roof  and  three  sides  of  our  dwelling, 
the  front  was  left  opened,  so  that  it  may  truly  be  said,  we  kept 
open  house.  The  covering  was  kept  firmly  in  its  place  by  withes 
of  bark.  After  the  completion  of  our  house,  the  next  most  ne- 
cessary thing,  was  an  oven,  in  which  to  bake  our  bread,  for  bread 
we  must  have,  it  being  the  staff  of  life.  This  was  soon  made, 
with  two  logs  for  a  foundation,  and  a  flat  stone  thereon,  the  super- 
structure was  soon  reared  with  smaller  stones,  cemented  together 
by  a  mortar  of  muck,  from  the  side  of  the  spring,  and  crowned  by 
a  flat  stone.  This  answered  my  purpose  as  well  as  one  of  more  ela- 
borate construction.  For  a  door,  we  split  out  a  plank  of  bass-wood; 
and  for  a  kneading-trough,  we  again  bad  recourse  to  the  bass- 
wood,  from  whence  we  cut  a  log  of  the  required  length  and  di- 
mensions, split  it,  and  from  one  half,  dug  out,  with  an  axe,  and  an  in- 
strument named  a  howell,  which  we  had  brought  for  such  purposes, 
in  a  short  time,  a  trough,  which  answered  our  purpose  very  well. 
I  bro't  some  yeast  with  me,  to  make  my  first  batch  of  bread;  after 
that,  I  used  leaven,  kept  and  prepared,  after  directions  given  me 
by  ray  wife,  before  leaving  home.  Whatever  may  be  said  of  our 
cooking,  in  general,  I  am  sure  none  ever  seemed  sweeter  to  me, 
or  wa?  eaten  with  a  better  relish  by  others;  labor  sweetened 
every  mouthful.  We  had  cows;  a  plenty  of  milk,  &c.  We 
sometimes  washed  dishes,  when  we  could  not  remember  what  we 
last  ate  upon  them,  but  oftener  turned  them  the  bottom  side  up, 
there  to  remain  until  wanted  again.  Some  even  pretend  to  say, 
that  when  our  table  needed  scouring,  we  sprinkled  salt  upon  it, 
and  put  it  out  for  the  old  cow  to  operate  upon.  However  that 
may  be,  I  am  sure,  if  we  ever  did  do  it,  it  must  have  come  from 
under  her  scouring  apparatus  exceedingly  white.  But  the  whole 
story  is  rather  apocryphal. 

Early  in  the  spring,  1799, 1  sent  on  two  men,  to  make  sugar, 
before  I  came  on  myself.  They  commenced  making  sugar,  and 
one  day  went  out  hunting,  leaving  their  sugar  boiling.  The  con- 
sequence was,  the  house  took  fire  and  burned  down,  with  all  of 
the  little  it  contained.  During  the  winter,  the  Indians  had  stolen 
all  the  cooking  utensils  I  had  left,  and  the  potatoes  which  I  had 
raised,  and  buried  the  autumn  before.  Thus  my  riches  were  ta- 
king to  themselves  wings,  and  flying  away.  I  came  on  soon  after. 
This  spring,  Esquire  Mix  and  family  came  on;  John  and  Thomas 
Ward,  Ephraim  Chamberlain,  Samuel  and  David  Starr,  Jotham 
Mitchell,  Salmon  Ward  and  Beia  Hubbard,  David  Miller,  and 
Boutin,  a  Frenchman,  came  to  Carthage.  The  above  were  all 
young,  unmarried  men,  save  Mix.  We  continued  our  labors 
through  the  summer  of  1799,  but  not  with  that  spirit  which  we 
should  have  done,  had  not  a  rumor  reached  us  of  the  failure  of 
Mr.  Storrs,  and  the  probability  that  we  should  lose,  not  only  all 


!i-:   1 


ii 


126 


Champion. 


our  labor,  but  the  money  which  I  had  advanced  for  my  land.  But 
I  will  not  enter  into  particulars  here — let  it  suffice  that  I  could 
not  afford  to  lose  all  I  had  done  and  paid,  and  consequently  en- 
tered into  a  compromise  with  him,  to  save  a  moiety  ot  what  was 
justly  mine — of  not  only  what  I  had  actually  paid  for,  but  of 
what  I  was  to  have  had,  for  leading  the  way  in  this  first  settle- 
ment of  a  new  country,  and  subjecting  myself  again  to  all  its  dis- 
comforts and  inconveniences.  Consequently,  in  view  of  makiug 
this  my  permanent  home,  I  moved  my  family  here  in  the  autunm 
of  1799.  We  had  a  very  unfavorable  time,  to  come.  There  had 
been  a  snow-storm,  in  which  about  six  inches  of  snow  had  fallen. 
We  were  obliged  to  travel  on  horseback,  the  horses'  I'eet  balled 
badly:  we  had  sloughs  to  go  through,  and  altogether,  it  was  ve- 
ry uncomfortable  traveling  in  that  manner,  w'tli  children.  We 
arrived  at  Mr.  Hoadley's  the  first  night,  and  ou  •  ox-teams  and 
goods  the  next  day.  From  there,  we  came  to  thvf  High  Falls, 
where  I  had  a  boat  awaiting  us,  which  I  had  caused  to  be  built 
for  my  own  use.  Here  we  embarked  with  all  our  goods  and 
chattels,  of  all  kinds,  loading  the  boat  to  its  utmost  capacity,  so 
that  when  all  were  in,  it  was  only  about  four  inches  out  of  water. 
We  spent  one  night  at  the  Lowville  landing,  where  a  family 
were  living.  During  the  evening,  there  came  in  a  number  of 
men,  wet,  cold  and  hungry.  Amor -r  them,  was  one  named  Smith. 
He  went  to  pull  off  the  boots  of  r.ie  ot  his  companions,  which 
were  very  wet  and  clinging  close.  He  pulled  with  all  his  might — 
the  other  bracing  himself  against  him  as^firmly  as  possible.  All 
at  once,  and  with  unexpected  suddeness,  the  boot  came  off,  and 
poor  Smith  was  sent,  with  his  bare  feet,  into  a  bed  of  live  coals. 
There  was  both  music  and  dancing  for  one  while. 

We  arrived  at  the  Long  Falls,  about  noon,  the  second  day 
from  our  embarkation.  The  weather  had  by  this  time  become 
warm  and  pleasant.  Our  oxen  arrived  soon  after  by  land,  we 
unloaded  our  boat,  put  our  wagon  together,  loaded  it  with  some 
of  our  effects,  set  off,  and,  before  night,  reached  our  "wilderness 
home."  My  wife  said,  in  view  of  the  difficulties  in  getting  here, 
that,  if  she  had  any  thing  as  good  as  a  cave  to  live  in,  she  would 
not  return  in  one  year  at  the  least.  She,  of  choice,  walked  from 
the  Falls  here,  a  distance  of  four  miles  through  the  forest.  We 
arrived  on  the  17th  of  Nov.,  1799.  The  weather  continued  pleasant 
until  the  27th,  when  it  commenced  snowing,  the  river  soon  froze 
over,  the  snow,  of  which  a  great  quantity  fell,  and  continuing  io 
fall,  lasted  all  winter,  and  we  were  entirely  cut  off  from  all 
intercourse  with  the  world.  I  kept  fifteen  head  of  cattle  through 
the  winter,  by  browsing  them,  and  they  wintered  well.  Isolated 
though  we  were,  yet  I  never  passed  a  more  comfortable  winter. 
We  had  a  plenty  of  provisions;  my  wheat,  I  had  raised  here,  a 


Champion. 


127 


very  fine  crop  from  seed  sown  in  the  autumn  of  1798,  and  my 
pork,  &ti.,  was  fatted  in  Oneida  County,  and  brought  here  by  boat. 
And  take  it  all  together,  I  perhaps  settled  this  country  as  easy  ay 
any  one  ever  settled  a  new  country,  as  completely  isolated  as  this 
was  at  that  time,  and  easier  than  I  settled  in  Steuben,  18  miles 
from  Utica.  At  that  time  we  had  to  go  to  Utica  or  Whitesborough 
for  provisions,  and  it  always  took  one  day  to  go  out,  and  another 
to  return,  incredible  as  it  may  now  seem.  In  the  spring  of  1800, 

I)eople  began  to  flock  into  the  country  by  hundreds,  and,  as  my 
og  house  afforded  the  only  accommodation  for  wayfaring  men, 
we  were  obliged  to  keep  them,  whether  we  would  or  no;  some- 
times, and  that  very  often,  my  floors  were  strewn  with  human 
beings  as  thick  as  they  could  lie,  some  so  near  the  huge  fire  place 
as  not  to  pass  unscorched;  one  man  in  particular,  it  was  said  by 
his  companions,  had  his  head  baked,  by  too  close  a  proximity  to 
the  oven.  This  rush  continued  two  or  three  years,  and  was  full 
of  incident  and  interest,  but  at  this  distance  of  time  I  can  not 
recall  these  incidents  with  sufficient  accuracy  to  detail  them  here. 
The  town  settled  rapidly  with  an  intelligent  and  energetic  class 
of  people.  The  society  was  good;  it  might  be  called  good  any 
where.  Perhaps  there  was  never  a  more  intelligent  and  interesting 
people  congregated  together  in  an  obscure  little  inland  town,  than 
in  this,  within  a  few  years  from  its  ^rst  settlement.  I  can  not 
state  the  order  of  time  in  which  they  came,  but  the  names  of  a 
few  of  them  I  will  record,  that  in  future  time,  when  this  place 
shall  have  sunk  into  insignificance,  as  it  too  probably  will,  before 
the  greater  lights  arising  around  it,  it  may  be  known  that  we 
were  once  honored  by  having  in  our  midst  such  men  as  Egbert 
Ten  Eyck,  afterwards  first  judge  of  the  court,  who  was  then  a 
young  lawyer,  and  married  here  to  one  of  our  beautiful  maidens; 
Olney  Pearce  and  wife,  Hubbel  and  wife.  Judge  Moss  Kent, 
brother  of  the  late  chancellor,  Henry  R.  Storrs,  who  opened  an 
office  here,  and  afterwards  became  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
lawyers  of  the  state.  Dr.  Baudry,  a  Frenchman,  Drs.  Durkee  and 
Farley,  and  many  others,  too  numerous  to  mention,  as  well  as 
many  ladies  of  grace  and  beauty,  whom  it  would  be  invidious 
now  to  particularize.  Common  schools  were  soon  established. 
Religious  meetings  were  held  on  the  sabbath,  after  old  Deacon 
Carter  came  into  the  town,  and  in  very  few  years,  I  think  as  early 
as  1805,  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Button  came.  He  was  sent  out  by 
some  missionary  society^at  the  east,  to  form  churches  in  this  west- 
ern world,  and  coming  to  this  place,  was  invited  to  remain,  which 
he  did,  and  continued  here  until  the  close  of  his  valuable  life,  in 
Sept.  1852,  and  for  the  greater  part  of  that  time  was  the  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  church,  which  flourished  under  his  minis- 
trations, and  enjoyed  many  powerful  revivals  of  religion. 


K<J 


!l 


128 


Champion. 


A  house  was  built  at  a  very  early  day,  on  llie  hill,  west  of  the 
village,  which  combined  the  double  purpose  ol'  a  church  and 
school  house.  It  was  an  expensive  house  tor  the  times  and  com- 
munity. In  a  lew  years  it  was  burned  to  the  j^round.  The  next 
school  house  was  also  a  large  one,  located  across  the  gulf,  on  the 
read  to  the  Great  Bend.  Tliis  was  also  used  as  a  meeting  house. 
A  part  of  it  is  still  standing  a. id  is  now  conv^^rted  into  a  dwelling 
house.  Some  years  later  it  was  determined  to  erect  a  church, 
but  the  details  of  this  and  other  movements,  1  presume,  you  will 
obtain  more  fully  from  other  sources. 

Yours,  &,c.  NoAuiAH  IIuhbard." 

The  difficulties  attending  the  early  settlement  of  this  town,  and 
the  country  generally,  are  set  forth  in  the  following  petition  to 
the  legislature,  dated  the  third  Tuesday  of  February,  1801: 

''  The  memorial  of  the  subscribers,  proprietors,  and  inhabitants 
of  Champion,  on  Black  River,  in  the  County  of  Oneida,  in  said 
state,  humbly  sheweth:  That  your  memorialists,  induced  by  the 
extraordinary  fertility  of  the  soil,  have  made  an  establishment 
in  said  Champion,  and  extended  the  irontier  settlements  of  the 
state  in  a  northerly  direction  from  Rome  to  Lake  Ontario.  That 
in  prosecuting  this  enterprise,  those  of  your  memorialists  who 
have  emigrated  from  Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  W'rmont,  New 
Hampshire,  and  the  eastern  parts  of  this  state,  have  not  only 
been  subjected  to  the  inconvenience  of  excessively  bad  roads,  but 
have  been  and  are  stiil  'obliged  to  go  around  by  the  way  of  Rome 
to  Utica,  and  through  Boons  settlements,  and  Steuben,  a  distance 
of  at  least  forty  miles  further  than  it  would  be  in  a  direct  line. 
That  from  the  High  Falls,  on  Black  River,  on  a  line  tolerably 
direct  to  Johnstown,  and  from  thence  to  Albany,  on  the  old  road 
is  but  105  miles;  but  from  the  High  Falls  to  Albany,  by  way  of 
Rome  is  145  miles.  Your  memorialists  arc  informed,  and  verily 
believe,  that  a  good  road  may  be  made  in  the  direction  they 
have  pointed  out,  by  which  all  the  aforesaid  saving  in  distance 
would  be  realized.  But  the  country  through  which  it  must  run, 
is  either  not  settled  at  all,  or  so  thinly  inhabited  that  neither  the 
towns  through  which  the  proposed  road  must  be  laid  out,  nor 
individuals,  are  competent  to  the  opening  of  said  road.  Your 
memorialists  would  further  observe  that  the  road  would  not  only 
be  a  great  accommodation  to  them,  but  would  be  of  so  much 
public  utility  as  to  claim  the  patronage  of  the  legislature.  It 
would  save  at  least  forty  miles  in  the  travel  from  Albany  to 
Upper  Canada,  between  which  places  the  commercial  intercourse, 
particularly  in  the  articles  of  skins  and  furs,  is  at  present  very 
considerable,  and  is  daily  increasing.  The  fur  traders  from  this 
state,  who  have  been  bound  to  Kingston,  and  the  bay  of  Cantie 


Champion. 


Ifl9 


(from  whence  a  great  proportion  of  tlie  furs  have  been  brought), 
have  hfrt'tororc  bfoii  obi igeil  to  go  through  Vermont,  and  Lake 
Champlain,  or  through  Kome,  tlie  Oueidu  I^ake,  into  Lake  Onta- 
rio, iiiul  thence  to  Kingston,  either  of  which  routes  Iwh  is  evident 
from  the  map)  is  very  circuitous;  whereas  the  road  which  your 
memorialists  propose,  would  make  the  traveling  for  these  traders 
Hs  direct  as  possible.  Besides,  it  is  believed,  that  t''  se  traders 
who  are  bound  to  Niagara,  would  fmd  their  accoui  a  travel- 
ing tile  new  proposed  road,  and  passing  from  Black  Uiver  to 
Kingston,  and  taking  passage  froui  thence  by  water.  It  must 
also  be  tlie  post  road  between  this  state  and  Upper  Canada. 
Tliis  improvement  in  tlie  road  will  rapidly  increase  the  emigra- 
tion to  this  part  of  the  country,  and  consequently  the  prosperity 
of  this  part  of  the  state.  Your  memorialists  therefore  pray  your 
honors  to  take  this  case  into  your  consideration,  and  to  aj)point 
commissioners  to  lay  out  a  road  from  Johnstown,  in  the  nearest 
direction  to  the  High  Falls  on  Black  River,  and  to  grant  out  of 
a  future  lottery,  a  sum  of  money  which  shall  be  necessary  to  open 
a  road,  and  make  it  passable,  or  in  some  "other  way  grant  relief, 
and  they  as  in  duty  bound  will  ever  pray,  &c." 

This  petition  was  signed  by  N.  Hubbard,  Benjamin  Pike,  jr., 
Eli  Church,  Harrison  Mosely,  Timothy  Townsend,  Joel  Mix, 
Samuel  Foster,  Abner  White,  MathewKemp,  Bela  Hubbard,  jr., 
Elisha  Jones,  William  Davis,  and  William  Crowell. 

The  virgin  soil  of  this  town  was  found  to  yield  bountifully, 
and  return  an  abundant  increase  to  the  hand  of  the  cultivator, 
but  the  difficulty  of  realizing  any  means  from  the  sales  of  pro- 
duce, from  the  difficulty  of  getting  to  market,  led  to  elforts  like 
the  foregoing,  to  obtain  aid  for  opening  lines  of  communication, 
and  we  have  heard  it  related  from  the  lips  of  one  who  had 
shared  in  these  privations,  that  once  on  an  evening,  when  a 
few  neighbors  had  assembled  to  exchange  the  news,  the  subject 
was  being  discussed,  and  one  more  sanguine  than  the  rest, 
hazarded  the  prediction,  that  there  were  those  then  living,  who 
n-ould  see  a  weekly  line  of  mail  stages  pass  through  the  town. 
This  prophecy,  like  the  dream  of  oriental  fable,  has  come  and 
gone,  for  although  within  ten  years,  not  only  a  weekly  but  a 
daily  mail  was  established,  and  for  many  years  several  mail 
coaches  passed  daily,  the  modern  changes  of  routes  by  rail  roads, 
and  plank  roads,  have  withdrawn  these  lines,  and  almost  de- 
prived the  town  of  a  stated  mail  service.  The  proprietors  of 
the  town  never  expended  a  dollar  upon  the  roads  or  bridges  in  it. 

The  first  saw  mill  in  town  was  built  by  W^illinra  Hadsall,  and 
John  A.  Eggleson,  from  Greenwich,  New  York,  in  1802,  on 
Mill  Creek,  near  the  line  of  Rutland,  where  several  years  after- 
wards a  grist  mill  was  built.    In  1804,  David  Coffeen  removed 


130 


Champion. 


from  Rutland  to  the  west  side  of  the  river,  opposite  Carthage, 
and  in  1806  built  a  mill  on  this  side  of  the  river,  which  was 
the  first  hydraulic  improvement  at  that  place.  Finding  the  sup- 
ply of  water  in  the  cha;;nel  insufficient,  he  constructed  a  wing 
dam  partly  across  the  river,  which  was  completed  by  Le  Ray, 
upon  his  commencing  his  iron  works  at  Carthage.  One  and  a 
half  miles  from  the  present  village  of  Champion,  towards  the 
Great  Bend,  is  a  hamlet  known  as  The  Huddle,  where  mills 
and  a  distillery  were  erected  several  years  before  the  war. 

It  has  been  intimated,  that  Champion  had  been  contemplated 
as  the  probable  centre  of  a  new  county.  A  special  meeting  was 
hehl  November  13th,  1804,  to  choose  delegates  to  discuss  this 
measure,  and  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Olney  Pearce,  and  John  Durkee, 
were  chosen  by  ballot  for  this  purpose.  At  the  same  meeting, 
the  two  latter  were  recommended  for  appointment  as  justices  of 
the  peace.  In  1806,  $100  was  raised  for  killing  the  Canada 
thistle,  to  be  expended  by  a  committee  consisting  of  Abel  Crand- 
all,  Olney  Pearce,  and  [name  illegible].  Wolf  bounties  of  $5, 
were  offered  in  1807-8-9-10-1 1-12-lC.  In  1812,  panther 
bounty  $5,  and  fox  bounty  50  cents.  In  1815,  fox  bounty  $1, 
wolf  and  panther  bounty  $10.  In  1820,  50  cents  for  foxes;  25 
cents  for  young  foxes.  Wolf  and  panther  bounty  $10.  Every 
man  required  to  cut  the  Canada  thistles  growing  in  the  road,  in 
front  of  his  lands,  under  a  penalty  of  $  I  for  each  thistle.  In 
1822  a  bounty  of  50  cents  for  foxes,  both  old  and  young. 

While  referring  to  the  subject  of  bounties,  the  following  may 
not  be  inapplicable. 

The  anecdote  is  related,  that  a  magistrate  in  this  town,  having 
had  an  altercation  with  a  leading  citizen  in  Lowville,  heard  that 
his  opponent  had  offered  a  bounty  of  $5  for  his  head.  Feeling 
somewhat  uneasy  under  this,  he  resolved  to  ascertain  its  truth, 
and  made  tlie  journey  on  foot  on  purpose  to  demand  satisfaction, 
or  a  withdrawal  of  the  offensive  reward.  Upon  reaching  the 
place,  he  found  the  person  of  whom  he  was  in  search,  in  com- 
pany with  several  others,  and  not  wishing  to  make  their  quarrels 
a  subject  of  publicity,  he  requested  a  private  interview.  This 
was  promptly  refused,  on  the  ground  that  there  was  nothing  be- 
tween them  that  required  secresy,  and  he  was  told  that  if  he  had 
any  thing  to  say,  he  might  say  it  where  he  was.  He  then  com- 
menced by  repeating  the  story  he  had  heard,  and  demanded 
whether  it  was  true.  His  enemy  denied  at  once  the  charge, 
calling  his  neighbors  to  witness  whether  they  had  ever  known 
liim  guilty  of  the  folly  as  the  offering  of  such  a  sum,  but  admit- 
ted that  he  might  have  bid  twenty  shillings,  and  was  very  sure 
he  had  never  gone  higher!  Finding  that  it  was  impossible  to 
get  this  bounty  taken  off,  he  returned  home.    We  are  not  in- 


Champion. 


131 


formed  of  the  result,  or  whether  the  reward  was  sufficient  to 
tempt  the  cupidity  of  his  neighbors. 

We  have  alluded  to  the  fact  that  this  town  was  owned  at  the 
time  of  settlement  by  Henry  Champion,  of  Colchester,  and  Lem- 
uel Storrs,  of  Middletown,  Ct.  On  the  12th  of  May,  1813,  an 
instrument  was  executed  between  them,  by  which  the  latter  con- 
veyed, for  $18,300,  his  half  of  the  sums  due  for  lands  in  this 
town  and  Houndsfield,  but  this  conveyance  not  being  delivered 
during  the  lifetime  of  Storrs,  was  subsequently  confirmed  by  his 
heirs* 

At  Champion  Village  is  a  Congregational  and  a  Methodist 
church,  (the  latter  newly  erected),  a  stone  edifice  built  for 
academic  purposes,  an  inn,  union  store,  and  about  twenty  dwell- 
ings. The  academic  building  was  built  in  1836,  by  Freemasons, 
partly  with  the  funds  of  their  lodge,  and  partly  by  subscription; 
the  lower  story  being  devoted  to  schools,  and  the  upper  to  a 
lodge  room.  It  is  managed  by  five  trustees  appointed  by  the 
lodge.  The  village  is  on  the  state  road,  where  crossed  by  the 
Great  Bend  and  Copenhagen  Plank  Road,  and  is  seven  miles 
from  Denmark,  four  from  Carthage,  five  from  Great  Bend,  six 
from  Felt's  Mills,  twelve  from  Waterlown,  and  five  from  Copen- 
hagen. 

The  village  of  Great  Bend,  is  situated  mostly  on  the  south 
side  of  Black  River,  about  a  mile  below  where  it  bends  from  a 
northern  to  a  westward  course,  and  at  the  point  where  the  Chas- 
sanis  line  crossed  the  river.  A  bridge  was  built  here  about 
1804,  which  in  1807,  was  swept  off  by  the  spring  flood,  which 
in  that  year  was  very  general  in  this  section  of  the  state,  and  of 
extraordinary  height.  It  was  soon  rebuilt.  In  1840,  a  sub- 
stantial covered  bridge  at  this  place  was  burned,  and  a  few  weeks 
after,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing  a  loan  of  $2,500  to  the  town 
of  Champion,'^  $750  to  Le  Ray,  $2000  to  Wilna,  and  $750  to 
Pamelia,  for  building  bridges  over  Black  River,  among  which 
were  those  at  this  place  and  Carthage.  These  loans  were  to  be 
repaid  by  a  tax  in  eight  equal  annual  instalments. 

The  first  improvements  at  the  Great  Bend  were  commenced 
by  Olney  Pearce  and  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  who  purchased  a  pine  lot 
of  one  hundred  acres  in  the  vicinity,  and  entered 'into  an  engage- 
ment to  build  a  dam,  which  was  done  by  a  Mr.  Tubbs,  and  a  saw 
mill  was  erecied  in  1806.  Henry  G.  Gardner  subsequently  be- 
came interested  in  the  improvements,  and  in  1807,  the  mill 
which  had  been  destroyed  in  the  flood  was  rebuilt.  In  1809,  a 
distillery  was  got  in  operation,  and  in  1816,  the  premises  were 
sold  to  Watson  &  Gates,  who  in  1824,  conveyed  them  to  Charles 
E.  Clarke,  by  whom  the  water  power  and  mills  are  still  owned. 

^  JeffefBOn  Deeds,  0,  p.  3SG. 


132 


Champion. 


A  destructive  fire  occurred  at  the  Great  Bend,  March  6,  1840, 
by  which  the  grist  mill,  bridge  and  other  property  were  burned. 
The  loss  was  estimated  at  $20,000.  The  mill  was  immediately 
rebuilt  on  an  extensive  scale. 

The  river  has  here  a  fall  of  about  sixteen  feet,  and  both  above 
ani^  below  a  succession  of  rapids  occur,  which  from  Carthage  to 
the  lake  amount  to  480  feet.  Of  this  the  Long  Falls,  below 
Carthage,  have  57  feet,  and  from  thence  to  this  place  the  fall  is 
33  feet. 

The  village  of  Great  Bend,  being  at  the  crossing  of  an  import- 
ant and  early  traveled  road  into  the  northern  part  of  the  county, 
naturally  became  a  place  of  some  business,  and  has  at  present  a 
large  grist  mill,  a  saw  mill,  two  inns,  two  stores,  a  Baptist  church 
and  thirty  or  forty  families. 

In  1834,  Joseph  C.  Budd,  Wm.  Bones,  and  Benj.  Bentley, 
erected  a  blast  furnace  in  Champion,  west  of  the  river,  opposite 
Carthage,  which  was  26  feet  square  at  the  base,  and  32  feet 
high.  It  was  run  but  four  blasts,  the  first  two  on  bog  ore  alone 
when,  it  was  abandoned  in  1836.  About  1000  tons  of  iron  were 
made  at  this  furnace,  with  the  cold  blast.  No  castings  were 
made  here.  The  parties  owning  it  had  in  Feb.  1833,  purchased 
of  Aristarchus  Champion,  about  320  acres,  opposite  Carthage, 
which  was  surveyed  into  a  village  plat,  and  sold  to  parties  in 
New  York,  who  caused  a  new  survey  anti  a  map  to  be  made  by 
Nelson  J.  Beach.  The  speculation  failed,  and  the  property  re- 
verted to  Champion,  who  sold  it  to  V.  Le  Ray,  the  present  owner 
of  the  greater  part.  This  village  company  procured  an  act  in- 
corporating the  West  Carthage  Iron  and  Lead  Company,  with  a 
capital  of  $200,000  in  shares  of  $500,  which  was  incorporated 
May  15,  1837.  The  first  directors  were  Ebenezer  Jesup,  Jr. 
Chauncey  Burke,  Wolcot  Hubbell,  Ebenezer  Griffin,  and  Carlos 
Woodcock,  and  the  company  Was  limited  in  duration  to  25  years. 
Nothing  was  done  towards  carrying  this  into  effect. 

West  Carthage,  is  now  assuming  some  importance,  having  3 
saw  mills  (one  of  which  is  an  extensive  gang  mill,  built  by  Co- 
burn  &  Rulison,  in  1852),  1  grist  mill,  2  oil  mills,  1  clothing 
works,  1  tannery,  1  cabinet  shop,  with  water  power,  and  an  in- 
creasing population.  It  has  a  Congregational  Church  erected  in 
1852,  at  a  cost  of  $2000. 

A  society  library,  was  formed  Dec.  24,  1823,  at  Champion 
village,  with  Martin  Ellis,  Allen  Kilborn,  Dorastus  Wait,  George 
L.  Coughlin,  and  J.  P.  Johnson,  trustees.  It  has  been  for  seve- 
ral years  discontinued. 

Religious  Societies. — The  first  regular  religious  organization 
in  the  county,  is  believed  to  have  been  formed  in  this  town,  in 
June,  1801,  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bascomb,  of  Chester,  Massachusetts, 


Champion. 


133 


who  was  sent  out  on  a  missionary  tour  by  the  Ladies*  Charitable 
Society,  of  Connecticut,  and  on  that  date  formed  a  Congregational 
Church.  The  numbers  that  first  composed  it  wfre  small,  and 
only  occasional  preaching  was  enjoyed  until  1807,  when  the  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Dutton,  was  ordained.  Thete  were  present  on  this 
occasion,  thejlate  Rev.  Dr.  Norton,  of  Clinton,  N.  Y.,  Mr.  Eels,  of 
Westmoreland,  and  one  or  two  others.  Mr.  Button  maintained 
for  nearly  forty  years,  the  pastoral  relation  with  this  church,  and 
became  in  a  great  degree  identified  with  the  religious  movements 
not  only  of  the  town,  but  county,  and  was  instrumental  in  effect- 
ing numerous  church  organizations  in  this  section.  The  fol- 
lowing notice,  published  soon  after  his  death,  was  \vritten  by  the 
Rev.  David  Spear,  of  Rodman,  who  for  a  period  quite  as  long, 
has  labored  in  the  ministry  at  that  place,  and  whose  opportuni- 
ties for  knowing  the  character  and  worth  of  the  subject  of  the 
notice  were  most  ample. 

"  Died,  in  Champion,  New  York,  September  9th,  1852,  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Dutton,  aged  73  years,  the  first  settled  minister  in 
Jefferson  County.  His  parents  live  in  Hartford,  Vermont.  The 
son,  having  become  pious  in  early  life,  devoted  himself  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry,  graduated  at  Dartmouth  in  1802,  studied  theology 
under  Dr.  Lyman  of  Hatfield,  commenced  preaching  in  1805 
under  the  approval  of  Hampshire  Association,  was  sent  bythe 
Hampshire  Missionary  Society  to  labor  in  the  Black  River 
country,  and  in  1807  was  installed  pastor  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational church  in  Champion. 

For  several  years  there  was  almost  a  continuous  revival  among 
his  people,  with  constant  accessions  to  the  church.  Ir.  1817  he 
witnessed  a  general  revival,  which  in  a  few  months  added  168 
members  to  the  church.  Abundant  as  were  his  pastoral  duties,  he 
frequently  visited  destitute  regions  around  him,  to  preach  the 
word  and  administer  the  ordinances,  and  to  organize  churches. 
He  also  made  himself  useful  by  directing  the  studies  of  young 
men,  preparatory  to  their  college  course.  But  few  have  performed 
more  labor,  or  daily  exhibited  more  of  the  fruits  of  righteous- 
ness. His  uniformly  pious  and  consistent  life  gave  great  weight 
to  his  pulpit  and  other  instructions.  He  was  a  scribe  well  in- 
structed, rooted  and  grounded  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  and 
a  firm  believer  in  the  form  of  church  polity  he  inherited  from 
his  Puritan  ancestors.  He  resided  wnth  his  people  forty-six 
years;  and  although  the  pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  several 
years  before  his  decease,  he  ever  cherished  towards  them  the 
tenderest  sympathy  and  most  affectionate  regard.  He  never 
ceased  his  efforts  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  till  compelled  by  disease. 
The  Congregational  churches  of  Carthage  and  Philadelphia  will 
long  remember  his  faithful  labors  among  them  in  his  declining 


]l 


134 


Champion. 


years.  The  Consociation  to  which  he  belonged,  have  lost  a 
friend  and  counselor,  and  a  venerated  father.  His  last  sickness 
was  short  but  distressing,  which  he  bore  with  Christian  patience 
and  submission.  He  died  in  the  full  hope  of  a  glorious  immor- 
tality. '  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his 
saints.* " 

A  convention  of  ministers  and  churches,  assembled  at  Cham- 
pion, September  22d,  1807,  voted  a  proclamation  recommending 
to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Black  River  settlements,  the  observance 
of  the  first  Thursday  of  December  next,  as  a  day  of  thanks- 
giving and  praise.  This  document  set  forth  in  general  terms  the 
obligations  felt  toward  Divine  Providence  for  the  blessings  of 
the  year,  and  advised  religious  services  to  be  performed  in  the 
several  churches.  It  was  signed  by  a  vote  of  the  convention, 
James  Murdock,  moderator,  Nathaniel  Dutton,  scribe,  and  pub- 
lished in  the  Black  River  Gazette,  at  Martinsburgh,  then  the 
only  paper  north  of  Utica.  The  governors  of  the  state  had  not 
then  adopted  the  custom  of  appointing  a  day  of  thanksgiving, 
as  is  now  the  invariable  custom. 

The  First  Congregational  Society  of  the  town  of  Champion, 
was  formed  May  7th,  1805,  Jonathan  Carter,  Abel  Crandel,  Joel 
Mix,  Noadiah  Hubbard,  Joseph  Paddock,  and  John  Canfield, 
being  the  first  trustees.  On  the  4th  of  July,  1807,  Champion  & 
Storrs  conveyed  to  the  town  two  acres  on  the  summit  of  a  hill, 
that  overlooks  the  village,  for  the  site  of  a  church  and  a  public 
green,  and  it  was  contemplated  to  oeginthe  erection  of  a  church 
soon  after,  but  the  war  that  followed,  directed  attention  from  the 
object  until  1816,  in  which  year  Noadiah  Hubbard  contracted 
to  build  a  church  edifice  to  be  paid  in  the  sale  of  pews,  but  it 
being  expensive  he  never  realized  the  cost.  It  was  completed 
at  a  cost  of  $5000  and  dedicated  December  25th,  1816.  General 
Champion  had  promised  the  town  a  bell,  as  a  compliment  for 
having  had  his  name  given  to  it,  and  this  was  accompanied  by 
the  following  letter  dated  Hartford,  September  9th,  18 16,  and 
addressed  to  Mr.  Hubbard. 

"  The  bell  for  your  meeting  house,  was  shipped  from  this 
place  for  Albany,  about  ten  days  past.  The  tongue  is  made 
fastened  to  the  bell.  I  expect  before  this  it  is  in  Albany.  It 
weighs  a  little  short  of  800  pounds,  and  it  is  said  by  Col.  Ward 
to  be  a  very  good  one.  The  bell  they  first  cast  appeared  not 
to  be  as  perfect  as  they  wished,  and  of  course  they  broke  it  to 
pieces,  and  cast  another.  I  hope  it  will  arrive  safe,  and  be 
satisfactory  to  your  society.  I  am,  sir,  your  very  humble  servant, 

JVoadia/i  Hubbard.  Henry  Champion." 

The  first  church  being  in  a  bleak  and  exposed  situation,  diffi- 
cult of  access,  and  in  many  respects  uncomfortable,  was  taken 


Clayton. 


135 


down  in  the  summer  of  1841,  and  rebuilt  in  the  valley,  it  hav- 
ing been  completed  and  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  that  year. 

A  Baptist  church  in  this  town  in  1818,  reported  twenty-five 
members,  and  the  First  Baptist  Ecclesiastical  Society,  was 
formed  October  16th,  1826,  with  Moses  C.  Merrill,  Elisha- 
Jones,  Thomas  Campbell,  Elisha  Bentley,  Moses  Miller,  Sidney 
Hastings,  and  James  Thompson,  trustees.  There  was  no  house 
of  worship  erected  in  town  by  this  order  until  1842.  A  church 
in  North  Rutland  on  the  6th  of  January,  1842,  decided  to  re- 
build at  the  Great  Bend,  and  formed,  January  27th,  1842,  a 
society  with  Cicero  Potter,  Miner  C.  Merrill,  Thomas  P.  Fran- 
cis, Daniel  Potter,  and  Henry  G.  Potter,  trustees.  In  May  1843, 
a  subscription  was  drawn  up  for  this  purpose,  and  in  December 
the  house  was  completed  and  dedicated.  It  is  36  by  48  feet, 
and  cost  with  fixtures  $1400. 

The  Methodists  first  organized  a  legal  society  December  30th, 
1825,  with  M.  Andrews,  Wilson  Pennock,  and  Josiah  Town- 
send,  trustees.  A  second  society  was  formed,  April  11th,  1827, 
with  Samuel  Loomis,  William  Davis,  and  Wilson  Pennock, 
trustees.  A  church  was  built  in  1826  or  7,  in  this  town,  two 
miles  from  the  Great  Bend,  at  a  cost  of  $700.  It  is  a  plain  and 
cheap,  but  comfortable  edifice.  In  the  season  of  1853,  this 
denomination  has  built  a  chapel  in  Champion  Village.  On  the 
South  Road  in  this  town  a  Union  church  exists. 

The  Congregational  church  of  East  and  West  Carthage  was 
formed  in  1830  by  Rev.  N.  Dutton  and  J.  H.  Monroe.  A  society 
was  formed,  August  4th,  1838,  with  C.  J.  Hewett,  Alfred  Lath- 
rop,  John  Vrooman  and  S.  Gilbert,  trustees.  In  1852,  they 
erected  a  church  in  West  Carthage  at  a  cost  of  $2000.  The 
Rev.  J.  A.  Northrup,  C.  F.  Halsey,  W.  Woolcot,  N.  Dutton,  H. 
Doane  and  H.  H.  Waite  have  been  employed  as  stated  supplies. 
While  Mr.  Doane  was  in  charge  of  this  church,  he  withdrew 
from  the  Consociation  and  united  with  the  Presbytery,  having 
formed  of  a  portion  of  the  members  a  Presbyterian  church,  who 
have  an  organization  in  the  village  of  Carthage. 

CLAYTON. 

This  town,  embracing  two-fifths  of  Penet's  Square  from  the 
west  side,  with  a  small  tract  north  and  a  triangular  gore  west  of 
that  patent,  was  organized  from  Orleans  and  Lyme,  by  an  act  of 
April  27,  1833,  the  first  town  meeting  being  directed  to  be  held  at 
the  house  of  Isaac  L.  Carter.  The  name  was  given  in  honor  of 
the  Hon.  John  M.  Clayton,  United  States  Senator  from  Delaware. 

At  the  first  town  meeting,  held  June  4, 1833,  Hubbell  Fox  was 
chosen  supervisor;  B.  F.  Faxon,  clerk;  Jesse  Noyes,  Abrara 
Burdick,  Bariah  Carpenter,  Jr.,  assessors;  Caleb  Closson,  James 


I 


136 


Clayton. 


M 


Barney,  over^jers  of  poor;  Samuel  P.  Payne,  Lloytl  B.  Traver, 
ElkanahCorbin,  commissioners  of  highways;  Alfred  Fox,  John 
Consaul,  Jr.,  Joseph  Mason,  corn's  schools;  Nathan  B.  Morton, 
Josiah  Farer,  David  Baker,  inspector  of  schools;  Erastus  Warner, 
'collector. 

Supervisors. — 1833-4,  Hubbell  Fox;  1835,  Edward  C.  Ban- 
croft; 1836,  Eldridge  G.  Merrick;  1839,  Henry  D.  Van  Camp; 
1840-1,  E.  G.  Merrick;  1842,  Woodbridge  C.  George;  1843-4, 
Alfred  Fox;  1845,  E.  G.  Merrick;  1846,  Alfred  Fox;  1847, 
Erastus  Warner;  1848,  James  Plumb;  1849-53,  Alfred  Fox; 
1853,  at  a  special  town  meeting,  May  17,  Luke  E.  Fra.ne,  to  fill 
vacancy. 

From  an  intimation  on  page  38,  of  this  volume,  it  is  learned 
that  at  an  ancient  period  there  was  an  Indian  fort  at  French 
Creek  in  this  town,  but  of  the  date  and  details,  or  even  the  locality, 
•we  know  nothing.  In  1799*  there  was  a  single  log  hut  at  this 
place,  probably  that  of  some  timber  thieves,  who  plundered  the 
frontier  without  restraint  or  limit,  during  many  years  before  any 
one  appeared  to  show  title.  Mr.  Nathan  Ford,  the  pioneer  of 
Ogdensburgh,  in  a  letter  to  Samel  Ogden  on  this  subject,  dated 
Dec.  27,  1799,  wrote: 

"  There  are  several  persons  now  cutting  timber  upon  the  two 
upper  townships.  I  have  no  authority  to  say  any  thing  about  the 
matter;  but  vast  injury  will  take  place  upon  the  townships,  and 
if  there  are  not  measures  taken  immediately,  not  less  than  thirty 
or  forty  thousand  staves,  over  and  above  the  square  timber  which 
is  now  getting,  that  will  be  taken  off.  Mr.  Wilkins,  took 
down  the  names  of  several  who  pretended  to  settle;  their  motive 
was  only  stealing  off  the  timber.  The  thing  is  now  working  as 
I  told  him  would  be  the  case,  and  if  something  is  not  done  about 
this  business,  great  destruction  will  arise.  An  example  ought  to 
be  made,  and  this  can  not  be  done  without  sending  an  officer 
from  Fort  Stanwix.  They  have  got  the  timber  so  boldly  that 
they  say  there  is  no  law  that  can  be  executed  upon  them  here." 

To  Governeur  Morris  he  wrote,  July  16,  1800. 

"  I  was  in  hopes  I  should  have  heard  something  about  the  road, 
before  now.  If  there  were  a  land  communication  to  the  Mohawk 
River,  we  should  all  experience  less  depredalions.  The  difficulty 
of  a  communication  to  the  southern  part  of  the  state,  is  well  known 
to  the  timber  thieves,  and  they  count  upon  the  almost  impossi- 
bility of  bringing  them  to  justice." 

As  these  lands  were  not  within  Ford's  jurisdiction  he  could 
only  advise  in  the  matter,  but  in  one  or  two  instances,  in  which 
he  was  directly  interested,  he  took  summary  measures  in  hand, 
and  adopted  a  course  that  put  an  effectual  stop  to  these  robberies. 

*  History  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin  Counties,  p.  263. 


draftei 
got  as 
and  sii 
owner 
Inl^ 
a  small 
of  the 
by  Le 
measun 
Island 
of  the  ii 
to  the 
when  ]V 
sale, 
lots,  th 
and  was 


Clayton. 


137 


id, 


In  the  portion  of  this  town  embraced  in  Penet  Square,  there 
was  more  of  this  lawless  plunder,  because  for  several  years  after 
the  tract  began  to  settle,  there  was  no  resident  agent,  or  acknow- 
ledged owner.  This  state  of  things  led  to  many  abuses,  and  gave 
rise  to  incidents  that  will  be  specified  in  our  account  of  Orleans, 
which  then  comprised  the  whole  tract. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  in  Clayton  was  made  in  1801 
or  2,  by  Bartlet,  at  a  place  still  called  Bartlet's  Point,  about  a 
mile  from  Clayton  Village.  He  had  been  placed  there  by  Smith 
and  Delamater,  land  agents  at  Chauraont,  to  keep  a  ferry  to 
Gannonoqui,  bj  :  after  staying  a  year  or  two, set  fire  to  his  house, 
as  tradition  says,  and  ran  away  by  its  light. 

In  the  winter  of  1803-4  Smith  and  Delamater  undertook  the 
erection  of  a  saw  mill,  on  Wheeler  Creek,  near  its  mouth,  in  the 
present  town  of  Clayton.  The  expense  attending  this  measure, 
embarrassed  them  considerably,  and  contributed  to  their  subse- 
quent failure. 

The  first  industrial  operations  at  French  Creek,  of  any  magni- 
tude, were  commenced  a  few  months  before  the  war. 

On  the  3d  of  Feb.  1812,  a  contract  w^s  executed  between 
Le  Ray  and  Richard  Cummings,  a  Canadian,  and  Noadiah  Hub- 
bard, of  Champion,  allowing  the  latter  to  take  from  certain  lots 
in  the  vicinity  of  French  Creek,  as  much  timber  for  rafting  as 
they  might  desire,  by  paying  $35  per  thousand  feet,  for  squared 
yellow  pine  timber^  $50  per  thousand  for  white  oak;  and  $8  per 
thousand  for  white  and  yellow  pine  spars.  A  large  number  of 
laborers  and  several  teams  were  employed  during  the  spring,  and 
early  in  the  season,  12,000  to  15,000  feet  of  pine,  1000  feet  of 
white  oak,  and  21  masts  were  ready  for  market,  besides  a  large 
quantity  got  out  but  left  in  the  woods.  Capt.  Hubbard  was 
draftet!  with  his  company  of  minute  men.  The  raft  was  however 
got  as  far  down  as  Louisville,  when  it  was  seized  and  detained, 
and  subsequently  proved  a  total  loss,  at  least  to  its  American 
owneiv     Lumbering  had  begun  on  Penet  Square  in  1809. 

In  1820  Wm.  H.  Angel  commenced  lumber  business  and  opened 
a  small  sto^e  on  the  creek,  a  short  distance  above  the  point,  the  site 
of  the  present  village  having  been  reserved  and  lotted  for  a  town, 
by  Le  Ray,  who  at  that  time  was  not  prepared  to  sell.  This 
measure  was  hastened  by  a  plan  of  selling  in  lots,  Washington 
Island  adjacent,  and  owned  by  Col.  Elisha  Camp,  the  patentee 
of  the  island,  who  in  1824  begun,  and  in  1826  finished  a  bridge 
to  the  island.  Business  had  begun  to  be  established  atthispoint, 
when  Mr.  Le  Ray  thought  proper  to  open  the  reserved  lanils  for 
sale.  In  Jan.  1822,  when  the  plat  was  first  offered  for  sale  in 
lots,  the  place  contained  three  stores,  a  tavern,  post  office  &c., 
and  was  the  centre  of  an  active  lumber  trade.     ~ 

10 


The  village  and 


■) 


138 


Clayton. 


post  office  >^'as  in  1823  named  Cornela,  but  in  1831  the  name 
was  changed  to  Clayton,  which  it  has  since  retain^^d.  In  the 
primitive  patent  of  P.  net,  the  creek  and  bay  is  named  Weterin- 

f'hra  Guentere,  and  on  some  old  map  it  is  named  Dumas  Creek. 
t  has  very  generally  ^ije?n  known  till  the  present  time  as  French 
Creek,  but  it  is  losing  this  gradually.  In  1825  a  stone  school 
house  was  built  and  the  first  school  taught. 

An  interesting  article,  dated  March  20,  1835,  and  published 
in  the  Watertown  Eagle,  on  the  authority  of  E.  C.  Bancroft,  A. 
O.  Blair,  E.  G.  Merrick,  J.  A.  Brewster,  and  T.  M.  Reade,  a 
committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  census,  and  collect  the  history 
and  statistics  of  the  village  of  Clayton  (French  Creek),  affords 
many  valuable  data,  which  become  the  more  interesting  with 
time,  and  will  serve  as  a  standard  by  which  to  compare  the  growth 
of  that  spirited  and  enterprising  place.  A  portion  of  the  report 
only  can  be  quoted. 

"Less  than  ten  years  ago,  the  ground  where  now  stands  our 
village  was  without  a  single  house,  and  was,  we  are  informed  by 
one  of  our  first  settlers,  an  almost  impenetrable  marsh.  Now, 
93  buildings  (most  of  which  are  two  stories  high,  well  finished 
and  painted),  are  situated  on  the  same  ground,  and  occupied  by 
73  families,  making  a  total  population  of  426,  which  gives  to  it, 
at  least,  the  appearance  of  a  thriving  and  business  little  village, 
and  we  may,  without  detracting  from  the  merits  of  our  neighboring 
villages,  say,  that  not  one  in  the  county  can  show  greater  im- 
provements in  the  same  period  of  time,  than  our  own.  Although 
we  have  dated  the  period  of  the  commencement  of  our  village 
ten  years  back,  yet  we  should  observe  that,  although  it  began  to 
settle  at  about  that  time,  it  did  not  assume  any  appearance  of  a 
village  until  the  years  1829,  '30,  and  although  business  to  a  very 
considerable  amount  was  transacted  prior  to  that  time,  in  and 
about  the  Bay  of  French  Creek,  yet  we  may  say,  and  say  truly, 
that  our  village  has  attained  its  present  size  within  a  period  of 
five  years,  at  which  time  we  have  ascertained,  that  not  more  than 
30  inhabitants  resided  here.  This  being  the  case,  then  our  popula- 
tion, in  that  time,  has  increased  near  ten  fold,  and  that  increase, 
we  believe  (although  we  have  not  the  means  at  hand  to  ascertain 
that  fact),  to  be  equal,  if  not  greater,  than  the  western  villages 
in  this  state,  in  the  same  space  of  time,  when  their  rapid  growth 
was  considered  very  extraordinary. 

In  appearance  and  size,  our  village  has  also  kept  pace  with  its 
increase  of  population.  Six  years  ago  there  were  9  buildings  in 
this  place;  we  now  number  43  dwelling  houses,  6  stores,  3  gro- 
ceries, 3  taverns,  1  steam  furnace,  capable  of  melting  4  tons  of 
iron  per  day.  1  machine  shop,  1  ship  smith's  shop,  1  blacksmith's 
shop,  3  shoe  shops,  2  tailor  shops,  1  chair  shop,  2  cabinet  shops, 


Clayton. 


139 


lame 
1  the 
erin- 
'reek, 
rench 
ithool 

lifihed 
)ft,  A. 
ade,  a 
aistory 
affords 
g  with 
yrowth 
report 

ids  our 
mtd  by 
Now, 
inished 
pied  by 
es  to  it, 
village, 
;hboring 
kter  im- 
l^lthough 
village 
)egan  to 
nee  of  a 
a  very 
in  and 
truly, 
Period  (»f 
ethan 
popula- 
increase, 
ascertain 
villages 
growth 

_  with  its 
ildings  in 
s,  3  gro- 
4  tons  of 
5k  smith's 
let  shops. 


lO 


1  butcher  shop,  1  }>r^  "xy,  a  school  house,  5  large  and  commodious 
wharves,  and  within  1  mile  of  the  village,  3  saw  mills.  Efforts 
are  now  making  to  build  a  church,  and  from  the  known  liberality 
of  our  citizens,  we  doubt  not  but  their  efforts  will  be,  successful, 
and  within  a  year  an  edifice,  worthy  of  their  liberality,  will  add, 
as  it  certainly  will,  both  to  the  respectability  and  appearance  of 
the  place.  Every  branch  of  business  as  well  as  mechanical  pur- 
suits which  we  have  epumerated,  appear  to  be  in  successful 
operation,  rendering  to  Ihe  operatives  a  liberal  remuneration  for 
their  instruments  and  labor.  We  next  come  to  the  business 
transactions  of  the  place,  which  are  by  no  means  inconsiderable. 
During  the  last  year  the  actual  amount  of  capital  invested  in  this 
business,  at  a  low  estimate,  is  found  to  be  $475,000.  The  exports  to 
foreign  markets  from  this  port  amount  the  last  year  to  $275,000. 
The  aggregate  amount  of  merchandise  and  other  commodities 
sold  at  this  place  the  past  year,  amounts  to  $100,000.  The 
tonnage  of  vessels  (independent  of  the  different  steam  boats  which 
have  entered  and  discharged  their  cargoes  at  this  port  during  the 
same  year)  amounts  to  60,000  tons.  In  1834  there  were  owned 
in  this  port  7  schooners,  1  brig  and  1  steam  boat,  making  an 
aggregate  of  1000  tons.  Within  four  years  there  has  been  built 
at  the  ship  yard  in  this  place,  up  to  the  present  year,  6  schooners, 
of  about  100  tons  each,  1  canal  boat  and  1  steam  boat,  and  there 
are  now  being  built  5  schooners,  at  an  average  cost  '^f  $4,300 
each,  making  an  expenditure  of  about  $70,000,  for  ship  building 
alone." 

After  enumerating  the  peculiar  facilities,  aibrded  by  the  loca- 
tion for  trade  with  Kingston,  and  other  poinist  on  the  lake  and 
river,  they  express  the  belief  that  the  want  of  water  power, 
hitherto  felt,  might  be  overcome  by  constructing  a  dam  at  the 
mouth  of  the  creek,  which  might  also  serve  the  purpose  of  a 
bridge,  the  cost  of  which  was  estimated  at  $2,460.  The  report 
ended  with  the  following  language. 

"Whenever  the  advantages,  which  it  has  been  found  we  pos- 
sess, are  improved,  a  new  impetus  will  necessarily  be  given  to 
the  business  as  well  as  the  growth  of  our  village,  and  were  we 
disposed  to  speculate  upon  what  our  village  will  be  five  years 
hence,  we  might  incur  a  charge  of  being  influenced  by  visionary 
and  idle  prospects.  But  aside  from  any  contemplated  advantages, 
we  think  there  are  those  which  the  place  already  possesses,  suffi- 
cient to  give  our  village  still  further  improvements,  by  no  means 
inconsiderable,  both  as  to  the  business  and  the  appearance  of  the 
place.  We  have  that  which  is  indispensably  necessary  for  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  all  villages;  and  that  is,  a  rich  and 
fertile  country,  adjacent  to,  and  around  us,  which  is  becoming 
well  settled  by  industrious  and  worthy  inhabitants.    The  com- 


140 


Clayton. 


!■ 


mercial  operations  on  the  lakes  and  river,  are  rapidly  increasing, 
and  with  all  our  natural  advantages,  for  the  transaction  of  this 
branch  of  business,  together  with  citizens  of  enterprise,  allowing 
our  improvements  to  be  such  only  as  business  will  warrant,  ami 
require,  we  can  not  but  think  our  improvements  for  the  future 
Avill  have  a  comparison  with  the  past,  and  that  there  are  induce- 
ments for  the  investment  of  capital  and  opportunities  for  men  of 
business."  * 

The  business  of  ship  building  began  at  Clay' on  in  1832,  by 
Smith  &  Meriick,  and  has  been  since  continued,  giving  employ- 
ment to  about  a  hundred  men.  From  two  to  ibur  vessels  have 
been  built  here  annually,  making  a  total  of  from  sixty  to  seventy, 
including  most  of  the  splendid  steamers  of  the  Ontario  and  St. 
Lawrence  Steam  Boat  Company's  lines.  This  business  began 
here  at  about  the  time  when  the  burdensome  tonnage  duties  upon 
the  lakes,  amounting  almost  to  a  prohibition,  had  been  removed 
in  part  through  ihe  influence  of  the  Hon.  Joseph  Hawkins  of 
Henderson,  who  represented  this  district  in  Congress.  From  this 
time  theiJ  existed  no  limit  to  the  size  of  vessels,  but  that  of  the 
locks  of  the  Welland  Canal.  The  first  vessels  built  here  were 
the  Jesse  Smith  and  Horatio  Gates,  in  1832.  The  Franklin, 
Jefferson,  Willet,  Monroe,  Madison,  Cleopatra,  Morgiana,  D. 
"Webster,  Robert  Wood,  E.  G.  Merrick,  Oneida,  Western,  St. 
Lawrence,  John  Cades,  D.  N.  Barney,  Niagara,  Superior,  Invin- 
cible, New  York,  Quebec,  Manchester,  Utica,  Reindeer,  Oneida 
Chief,  America,  Flying  Cloud,  Sovereign  of  the  Lakes,  Northern 
Light,  White  Cloud,  White  Squall,  and  Thousand  Islands,  have 
since  been  built. 

The  principal  ship  builder  for  several  years  has  been  Mr.  John 
Cades,  and  most  of  the  vessels  have  been  constructed  for  the  firm 
of  Fowler  and  Esselstyn.  To  secure  the  privileges  of  a  coasting 
trade  with  Canada,  which  ari'  granted  to  vessels  that  are  built  on 
British  soil  only,  a  ship  yard  was  several  years  since  opened  by 
the  same  parties  at  the  foot  of  Wolf  or  Grand  Island,  in  Canada, 
and  four  or  five  miles  above  this  port.  There  is  also  a  rafting 
station  at  the  same  ^place,  which  has  been  established  for  the 
purpose  of  evading  the  duties  to  which  Canadian  timber  would 
be  liable,  if  made  up  into  rafts,  and  despatched  firora  an  American 
port. 

The  steamers  that  have  been  built  at  Clayton,  are  the  JVtagara, 
473  tons;  Cataract,  577  tons;  Ontario,  832  tons;  Bay  State, 
900  tons,  and  J\iew  York,  994  tons.  The  steamers  British  Queen, 
279  tons,  and  British  Empire,  330  tons,  with  the  brigs  Quebec 
and  Manchester,  and  other  craft,  have  been  built  at  Wolf  Island. 
The  aggregate  amount  of  tonnage  built  for  the  above  firm  since 
1849,  has  been  nearly  8000  tons,  and  the  business  is  still  actively 


Clayton. 


141 


sing, 
this 
wing 
,  and 
uture 
[luce- 
len  of 

i2,by 
jploy- 
5  have 
venty, 
nd  St. 
began 
s  upon 
moved 
iins  of 
)ni  this 
t  of  the 
re  were 
anklin, 
ma,  D. 
ern,  St. 
,  Invin- 
Oneida 
[orthern 
Is,  have 

John 
the  firm 
casting 
juilt  on 
cned  by 
Canada, 
rafting 
for  the 
would 
raerican 


er 


Niagara, 
ly  State, 
h  Queen, 
Quebec 
f  Island, 
rm  since 
actively 


pursued.  This  ship  building  gives  employment  to  a  great  num- 
ber of  mechanics.  The  bay  of  French  Creek  has  been  since 
1S24,  a  very  important  lumbering  station  for  hewn  timber  and 
oak  staves,  which  have  been  mostly  brought  here  in  vessels,  from  ' 
the  upper  lakes  and  from  Canada,  and  made  up  into  rafts  for 
Quebec,  where  it  was  again  loaded  in  vessels  for  foreign  market. 
Some  idea  Uiay  be  formed  of  the  magnitude  of  this  business  from 
the  fact  that  a  single  firm,  employing  300  men,  sent  off  a  raft  of 
from  18  to  24  cribs  every  eight  days  during  the  season  of  rafting, 
which  lasted  irom  midsummer  till  September.  Staves  are  rafted 
on  pine  floats,  52  feet  long,  and  holding  6000  standard  pieces. 
A  raft  of  oak  timber  required  pine  timber  to  make  it  buoyant 
enough  to  pass  the  rapids,  and  one  of  these  would  sometimes  in- 
clude 100,000  cubic  ieet.  The  time  occupied  in  descending  is 
three  or  four  weeks,  and  Indian  pilots  were  commonly  employed 
in  the  more  difficult  rapids.  The  year  1826,  was  remarkable  for 
its  reverses,  which  ruined  many  lumbermen.  In  1841  and  1846, 
Congress  passed  laws  that  checked  the  business  of  rafting  Canada 
lumber  on  our  shores,  by  requiring  duties  to  be  paid.  The  busi- 
ness that  formerly  centered  in  the  bay  of  French  CrecL.,  has 
accordingly  been  divided,  a  part  going  to  Garden  Island,  near 
Kingston,  and  a  part  to  the  foot  of  Wolf  Island.  The  business 
at  present  gives  employment  to  about  100  men  in  making  up 
rafts,  and  a  fleet  of  eighteen  vessels  in  bringing  the  timber  from 
the  upper  lakes.  From  60,000  to  80,000  cubic  feet  of  hewn 
timber  and  a  million  of  standard  staves*  are  sent  annually. 

Rafts  are  sent  less  frequently,  but  larger,  now  than  formerly, 
sometimes  including  35  drams,  each  50  by  200  feet,  which  are 
propelled  by  the  current,  by  sails,  and  sometimes  by  towing.  In 
passing  the  rapids,  the  raft  is  separated  into  sections  or  drams  of 
two  cribs  each,  and  passed  singly.  The  business  of  rafting,  at 
Clayton,  is  now  mostly  carried  on  by  E.  G.  Merrick,  Esq.,  and 
associates,  who  since  1828,  have  conduc^'^d  a  large  business  at 
this  village  in  lumbering,  ship  buildiug,  and  merchandise. 

The  village  of  Clayton  is  regularly  laid  out,  and  has  at  present 
a  population  of  about  1000.  It  is  the  proposed  terminus  of  the 
Black  River  and  Utica  Rail  Road,  is  a  landing  for  all  the  American 
steamers  on  the  lake,  and  in  some  respects  it  offers  inducements 
for  business,  which  no  other  place  in  the  county  affords.  The 
Baptists,  Methodists,  and  Catholics,  have  each  a  church  in  the 
village.  It  was  surveyed  by  Clark  W.  Candie  in  1824,  and  re- 
surveyed  in  1833  by  Oliver  Child. 

Near  this  village  commences  the  head  of  the  Thousand  Isles, 
many  of  which  are  in  sight,  presenting  a  very  picturesque  ap- 

*  A  standard  stave  is  Hi  feet  long,  5i  inches  wide,  and  2  inches  thick. 


142 


Clayton. 


ftearance,  and  directly  opposite  is  Grindstone  Island,  one  of  the 
argest  of  the  group,  being  upwards  of  live  miles  in  length,  and 
from  two  to  three  in  breadth.  Tliis  ishiiul,  with  Wells  island, 
and  many  others  were  claimed  by  the  St.  Regis  Indians  at  an 
early  day,  and  leased  by  their  agent  to  British  subjects,  for  long 
terms  of  years.  Upon  survey  of  the  boundary  in  1818,  they  were 
found  to  belong  to  our  government,  und  in  1823,  upon  these  islands 
being  patented  by  the  state,  in  pursuance  of  an  agreement  with 
Macomb,  difliculties  arose  that  threatened  for  a  time  to  result  in 
serious  measures,  and  which  have  been  known  locally  as  the  War 
of  Grindstone  Island,  A  quantity  of  pino  timber  had  been  cut, 
and  prepared  for  rafting,  which  was  claimed  by  the  patentee,  but 
was  refused  to  be  given  up  by  those  in  whose  possession  it  was. 
Finding  it  probable  that  any  attempt  to  serve  legal  papers  upon 
the  parties  alledged  to  be  trespassers  would  be  resisted,  a  detach- 
ment of  militia  from  Lyme,  under  Capt.  S.  Green,  was  called  out. 
The  timber  had  mostly  been  passed.over  into  British  waters,  and 
after  some  firing,  the  party  in  charge  of  the  timber  dispersed. 
One  of  the  militia  men  was  accidentally  killed  by  his  own  gun. 
The  question  subsequently  became  a  subject  of  litigation,  and  was 
finally  settled  by  arbitration. 

Another  incident  occured  in  this  town,  that  has  its  parallel 
only  in  the  theft  of  a  town  meeting,  as  related  of  Brownville. 
A  saw  mill  had  been  erected  in  the  vicinity,  it  is  said  upon  a 
verbal  agreement,  which  subsequently  became  a  subject  of  dif- 
ference between  Mr.  La  Farge,  the  proprietor,  and  the  lumber- 
man. The  latter  resolved  that. he  would  neither  comply  with  the 
terms  demanded,  nor  allow  others  to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  his  labors, 
and  early  one  mornini:^  not  long  after,  the  timbers  of  a  saw  mill 
Were  seen  floating  in  the  bay,  no  one  professing  to  know 
how  they  came  there  and  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  in  some 
way  connected  with  spiritual  monifestations,  more  especial- 
ly as  spirit  were  often  brought  in  quantities  in  this  place  for 
smuggling  into  Canada. 

The  islands  in  this  vicinity  have  many  associations  connected 
with  the  war  <>t  J812,  and  affairs  growing  out  of  the  Patriot 
movement,  which  will  be  detailed  in  our  chapte»'3  on  this  subject. 
An  engagement  occurred  between  General  Brown's  advanced 
guard  of  Wilkinson's  expedition,  and  the  British  at  this  place, 
late  in  1813,  of  which  we  give  the  details  elsewhere.  During 
the  embargo  period  of  1808,  the  old  French  Road,  that  had  been 
cut  through  in  a  nearly  direct  line  from  the  High  Falls  to  the 
river  at  this  point,  became  a  thoroughfare  for  teams  laden  with 
potash,  and  this  contraband  trade  continued  with  comparative 
impunity  till  the  commercial  restriction  was  removed. 
Penet's  Square  Corners  on  the  Bay  of  French  Creek  near  this 


Clayton. 


143 


place,  and  the  proprietors  of  that  tract  anticipating  that  this 
property  would  possess  value  as  the  site  for  a  , 
town,  subdivided  four  of  the  mile  squares  near-j 
est  the  corner,  the  one  on  the  bay  into  64  lot8,| 
often  acres  each,  and  the  three  others  into  161 
lots  of  40  acres  each.  In  balloting  for  a  divi< 
sion,  each  owner  drew  a  proportionate  number! 
of  these  lots,  which  like  the  large  tract  werel 
numbered  from  west  to  east  and  back,  commen- 
cing at  the  north-west  and  ending  at  the  south  west  corners. 
7'  ese  subdivisions  are  shown  in  the  annexed  sketch. 

Depauvilley  on  Chaumont  River,  at  the  head  of  boat  naviga- 
tion, and  six  miles  above  Chaumont  Bay,  was  named  from  Fran- 
cis Depau,  an  importing  merchant  and  capitalist  of  New  York, 
who  purchased  15  lots  on  Penet's  Square.  This  place,  at  first, 
bore  the  name  of  Cat  Fish  Falls,  by  which  it  is  still  sometimes 
called.  The  creek  above  the  place  is  still  called  Cat  Fish  Creek. 
The  first  improvement  was  begun  by  Simon  and  Jared  White, 
who  came  ot>  as  trespassers  to  get  out  lumber,  but  being  warned 
off  by  the  agent,  left  a  large  amount  of  hewn  timber  that  rotted 
on  the  ground.  From  this  place  they  removed  to  Three  Mile 
Point  on  Chaumont  Bay,  where,  after  a  short  sojourn,  they 
started  in  May,  1817,  for  the  west,  in  an  open  boat.  The  party 
consisted  of  the  brothers,  their  mother,  wives,  and  children,  11 
in  all,  and  had  arrived  in  Houndsfield,  a  mile  or  two  beyond 
Sackets  Harbr-  where  they  put  up  for  the  night.  After  leaving 
this  place  thty  were  never  seen  alive.  There  were  many  disso- 
lute sailui  s  an.l  soldiers,  lounging  about  the  neighborhood,  their 
boat  was  fomtd  robbed  of  household  goods,  several  hundred  dol- 
lars in  the  possession  of  the  men  were  gone,  and  their  bodies 
exhibited  unmistakable  marks  of  violence.  The  children  were 
found  drowned,  but  the  bodies  of  the  women  were  never  found. 
These  circimstances,  warranted  the  belief  of  robbery  and  mur- 
der, but  although  the  excitement  was  intense  and  general, 
nothing  occurred  to  settle  suspicion  upon  ni  y  party  sufficient  to 
warrant  an  arrest. 

In  1816,  Nathaniel  Norton,  Jr.,  who  had  previously  been  a 
merchant  at  Russia,  New  York,  came  as  agent  of  C.  H.  &  E. 
Wilkes,  owners  of  12,000  acres  on  Penet's  Square,  and  ad- 
joining Depauville.*  Soon  after,  David  and  Nathaniel  Holbrook 
came  to  the  Falls,  and  with  their  father,  under  a  contract  of 
Alexander  Le  Ray,  the  agent  of  Depau,  erected  a  rude  apology 
for  a  saw  and  grist  mill,  but  upon  failure  of  payment,  the 
premises  were  sold  in  1824  to  Stephen  Johnson  and  Peter  Mar- 


*  Hispower  of  attorney  is  dated  June  20th,  1820. 


144 


Clayti 


on. 


'%  1 


tin,  who  had  located  as  merchants  and  lumbermen.  At  this 
time  there  were  but  two  or  three  log  houses  and  the  rude  mills. 
In  1824,  Mr.  Johnson  built  a  stone  mill,  which  in  1851  was 
burned,  and  the  year  following  replaced  by  the  present  mills. 

At  Depauville,  and  vicinity,  the  materials  for  the  manufacture 
of  water  lime,  exist  in  vast  quantities,  constitutinoj  an  important 
geological  formation.  In  1835,  the  manufacture  of  this  article 
was  commenced  by  Stephen  Johnson  of  this  place,  Mr.  King, 
formerly  of  Onondaga  County,  Joel  Murray  and  Jared  House  of 
Lowvillc.  Mr.  Johnson  was  interested  to  the  extent  of  one  half, 
and  two  mills  were  fitted  up  for  grinding  it.  During  two  years 
that  the  business  continued,  about  1000  barrels  were  made,  and 
mostly  used  in  the  construction  of  cisterns  in  this  and  neighbor- 
ing towns.  This  was  the  first  enterprise  of  the  kind  in  the 
county.  At  a  future  time  it  may  give  employment  for  the  indus- 
try of  great  numbers,  and  a  profitable  source  of  investment  of 
capital. 

Depauville  is  6  miles  from  Chauraont;  6  from  La  Fargeville; 
8  from  Clayton;  6  from  Stone  Mills;  9  Limerick^  and  11  from 
Brownville. 

Religious  Societies. — A  Methodist  Society  was  formed  in 
Clayton,  December  20,  18.33,  with  Silas  F.  Spicer,  Amos 
Reynolds,  Willis  Howard,  James  H.  Fuller,  and  Amos  Gillet, 
trustees.  A  society  of  the  same  denomination  was  formed  at 
Depauville,  November  26,  1834,  with  Martin  Spicer,  Abel  F. 
How,  Caleb  Closson,  Wareham  Case,  and  Timothy  O'Connor, 
trustees.  Churches  were  built  by  each  of  these,  here,  and  four 
miles  south,  toward  the  Perch  River  settlements.  In  1835,  a 
Congregational  Church  was  formed  of  members  residing  in  this 
town  and  Orleans,  by  the  Rev.  Marcus  Smith  of  Watertown. 

A  Free  Communion  Baptist  church  was  formrd  in  August,  1820, 
by  Elder  Amasa  Dodge,  of  Lowville,  consisting  at  first  of  four- 
teen members.  He  was  succeeded  by  Elders  Russel  Way,  Jacob 
Overocker,  Welcome  Pigley,  S.  B.  Padding,  Samuel  Hart,  Ansel 
Griffith,  and  N.  H.  Abbey.  The  present  number  is  73.  A  so- 
ciety was  formed  August  26,  1841,  with  Nahum  D.  Williams, 
Phineas  A.  Osborn,  and  Helon  Norton,  trustees;  and  in  Decem- 
ber, 1848,  it  was  reorganized.  In  1838,  a  union  church  was 
built  of  stone  at  Depauville,  Mr.  Depau  contributing  $500 
towards  its  cost.  The  Universal ists  at  present  own  a  quarter, 
the  Free  Will  Baptists  a  half,  and  the  Congregationalists  and 
Baptists  the  remainder.  It  cost  $2,200.  In  1852,  the  Method- 
ists erected  a  new  church  at  this  village,  at  a  cost  of  $2,400. 
This  denomination  is  much  the  most  numerous  in  town. 

The  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church  of  Clayton,  and 
Orleans,  was  formed  March  11^  1841,  with  Henry  Haas,  Val- 
entine Baldtuff",  'and  Nicholas  Lehr,  trustees.     The  Evangelical 


Thi 
nated 


EUishurgh. 


145 


nd 
al- 


Church  in  Clayton  was  formed  December  21,  1841,  with  John 
Haller,  Valentine  Dorr,  Jr.,  and  Andrew  Baltz,  trustees.  Both 
of  these  have  erected  houses  of  worship  between  Depauville 
and  La  Fargeville. 

The  Third  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in 
Clayton  was  formed  October  5,  1840,  with  £.  G.  Merrick,  John 
N.  Fowler,  Perry  Caswell,  John  Wilson,  Fairfield  Hartford, 
Woodbridge  C.  George,  and  Adonijah  Brush,  trustees.  They 
own  a  convenient  and  elegant  church  edifice  in  the  village  of 
Clayton. 

The  First  Baptist  Society,  of  Clayton  Village,  was  formed 
October  6,  1840,  with  Dillino  D.  Calvin,  Henry  ilubbert,  Henry 
Walt,  Edward  Burchell,  and  Alpheus  R.  Calvin,  trustees.  A 
church  was  formed  of  seventeen  members,  by  Rev.  E.  G.  Blount 
(who  has  since  been  pastor),  February  14, 1843.  The  first  church 
in  the  village  was  built  by  Baptists  and  Methodists,  but  the 
former,  having  sold  their  interest  in  1847,  built  a  church  at  a 
cost  of  $2,000.  The  present  number  (July  1853)  is  117;  total, 
since  beginning,  about  200.  A  small  Baptist  church  has  existed 
sevtral  years  at  Depauville,  which  was  formed  by  Mr.  Blount. 

The  Catholics  erected  a  church  in  Clayton  Village  in  1841,  and 
are  considerably  numerous. 

Ellisburgh. 

This  town,  embracing  Minos  and  Henderson  (No.  6,  as  desig- 
nated on  the  surveyer  general's  map),  was  erected  from  Mexico, 
into  a  township  on  the  22d  of  Feb.  1803;  the  first  town  meeting 
being  directed  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Lyman  Ellis,  at  which 
the  fr'lowing  town  officers  were  chosen:  Edward  Boomer,  ^wper^ 
visor;  Lyman  Ellis,  clerk;  Caleb  Ellis  and  Amos  B.  Noyes, 
overseers  of  the  poor;  Jeremiah  Mason,  Samuel  Rhodes,  and  Benj. 
Boomer,  commisioners  highways;  Matthew  Boomer,  constable  and 
collector;  Abiah  Jenkins,  constable;  John  Thomas,  Christopher 
Edmonds,  and  Dyer  McCumber ,yenct;  viewers;  C.  Ellis,  Jeremiah 
Mason,  Timothy  Harris,  Benj.  Boomer,  D.  McCumber,  Joseph 
Hoiley,  overseers  oj  highways. 

Supervisors. — 1803,  Edward  Boomer;  1804,  5,  Lyman  Ellis; 
1806,  Nathaniel  Wood;  1807,  L.  Ellis;  1808,  9,  Joseph  Allen; 
18J0,  Orimal  Brewster;  1811-14,  Lyman  Ellis;  1815,  l6,Eben- 
ezer  Wood;  1817,  L.  Ellis;  1818-20,  Pardon  Earl;  1821,  E. 
Wood;  1822,23,  P.  Earl;  1824-29,  WadsworthMayhew;  1830, 
Daniel  Wardwell;  1831-36,  Jotham  Bigelow;  1837,  Ezra 
Stearns;  1838,  Samuel  Hackley;  1839,  E.  Stearns;  1840,  Wm. 
C.  Pierrepont;  1841, 42,  Ezra  Stearns;  1843,  Wm.  C.  Pierrepont; 
1844,  John  Littlefield;  1845,  James  Jones;  1846,  47,  Wm.  C. 
Pierrepont;  1848,  49^  John  Clark;  1850,  Alvah  Bull:  1851,  52, 
James  J.  Steele;  1853,  Alexander  Dickinson. 


146 


Ellishurgh. 


I 


Wolf  bounties  of  $2'50  in  1803;  of  $15  in  1807,8;  of  $10  in 
181 1, 12.  In  1804, 5,  "Resolved,  that  the  method  of  voting  shall 
be  by  each  person's  passing  round  and  naming  the  persons  he 
would  wish  to  elect,  to  fill  the  several  offices."  In  l8l6^voted 
to  build  a  town  house. 

This  town  derives  its  name  from  Lyman  Ellis,  of  Troy,  who 
settled  as  a  proprietor  in  1797,  and  who  afterwards  for  several 
years  acted  as  an  agent.  He  died  in  town,  March  13,  1847, 
aged  87.  His  character  is  briefly  summed  up  in  his  epitaph: 
"  Modesty,  honesty,  and  charity,  adorned  his  walk  in  life." 

On  the  nth  of  April  1796,  Marvel  Ellis,*  of  Troy,  N.Y.,  con- 
tracted with  Wm.  Constable,  for  the  purchase  of  this  town, 
excepting  a  marshy  tract,  each  side  of  Sandy  Creek,  near  the 
lake,  which  was  afterwards  included,  and  a  tract  of  3000  acres, 
in  the  south-west  corner,  sold  to  Brown  and  Eddy.  The  sum  of 
$22,111*50  was  paid,  and  a  deed  given,  March  22,  1797,  upon 
which  a  mortgage  was  given  back  upon  the  balance,  amounting 
to  $98,943'45.  This  mortgage  embarrassed  the  early  sales,  and 
confidence  was  not  restored,  until  the  property  had  reverted  to 
the  Constable  estate,  some  years  afterwards. 

The  greater  part  of  the  town  was  surveyed  by  Calvin  Guiteau, 
in  1796,  except  the  eastern  part,  that  was  surveyed  by  Nelson 
Doolittle,  and  the  3000  acre  tract  in  1800,  by  Benjamin  Wright, 
of  Rome;  the  latter,  in  1808,  surveyed  the  whole  town.  A 
proposition  had  been  received  from  Moody  Freeman,  for  the 
purchase  of  the  town,  but  a  bargain  was  not  effected.  The  town, 
including  the  marshes,  which  in  dry  seasons  afford  wild  grass,  but 
which  are  often  flowed,  contains  54,721|  acres.  The  field  notes 
of  Guiteau,  made  in  1796,  contain  the  following  memoranda. 

Lot  23  (three  miles  above  Ellis  Village).  "About  5  chains 
west,  from  the  north  east  corner,  are  falls  often  or  twelve  feet,  but 
not  perpendicular  more  than  four  or  five  feet,  which  do  not 
obstruct  the  salmon,  as  I  found  many  above." 

Lot  34  (next  west  of  23).  "About  20  chains  from  the  west 
line  is  a  small  fall  in  the  creek,  where  the  water  is  confined  to  a 
narrow  channel,  and  then  expands  out,  forming  a  depth  of  ten  or 
twelve  feet  of  water  of  a  smooth  rocky  bottom,  and  filled  with 
innumerable  multitude  of  salmon,  the  clearness  of  the  water 
being  such  that  they  may  be  seen  in  any  part  of  it."  In  the 
early  settlement  of  the  country  these  fish  ascended  as  far  up  as 
the  town  oi  Rodman,  but  since  the  erection  of  dams  and  mills, 
they  have  scarcely  appeared  in  Sandy  Creek. 

In  the  spring  of  1797,  Marvel  and  Lyman  Ellis,  brothers,  and 
both  interested  in  the  purchase,  found  their  way  into  town,  the 

*  Marvel  Elliidied  in  Utica,  in  1806,  aged  46;  be  removed  there  in  1803. 


latter 

same  ; 

was  c; 

existec 

invitat 

visited 

Sandy 

elected 

Man 

who  ha 

mile  be 

in  oper 

next  sp 

with  — 

spring  f 

Richard 

Salisbur 

"Thorr 

t    mild  1 

oick,  an( 

of  provis 

The  fii 

Caleb  El 

Howard. 

Pierce,  a 

the  instn 

notice  th 

thirty  ye; 

such  oft 

said  befc 

formed. 

To  suj 
structed, 
used  from 
and  burn 
which  wi 
difficulty, 
and  the  t 
furniture 
boats  by 
On  the 
stable  as 
"Weh 
pensive; 
done  consi 
'ot  a  large 


ElUsburgh. 


147 


latter  with  the  view  of  permanent  settlement.  In  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  Caleb  Ellis,  having  met  with  Lyman  Ellis,  at  Rome, 
was  casually  introduced  with  the  expectation  that  a  relationship 
existed,  but  none  was  found;  yet  the  interview  resulted  in  an 
invitation  to  settle  in'the  new  town.  Caleb  jtillis  accordingly 
visited  the  town,  and  selected  a  farm  on  the  south  branch  of 
Sandy  Creek,  at  a  place  where  one  Waldo  had  the  year  previous 
erected  a  hut  for  hunting. 

Many  men  were  employed  l^  Lyman  Ellis  the  same  season, 
who  had  at  its  close  built  a  dam  and  saw  mill,  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  below  the  present  site  of  Ellis  Village,  and  the  mill  was  got 
in  operation  the  same  fall,  but  was  partly  swept  off  early  the 
next  spring  by  a  flood,     in  the  winter  of  1797-8,  Wm.  Hicks, 

with Buller  afid  B.  Pierce,  remained  in  town,  and  in  the 

spring  of  1798,  Caleb  Ellis  and  family,  Robert  Fulton,  Elijah 
Richardson,  Hezekiah  Pierce,  Chauncey  Smith,  Wm,  Root,  Vial 
Salisbury,  Isaac  Waddle,  Abram  Wilcox,  two  men  by  the  name 
"Thornton,  and  others,  came  into  town  with  Lyman  Ellis,  to 
!  mild  the  mill,  and  erect  a  grist  mill,  but  nearly  all  were  taken 
oick,  and  the  pioneers  were  reduced  to  great  suffering  from  want 
of  provisions  and  necessary  medical  attendance. 

The  first  death  in  EllisbLivgh,  was  Mary,  a  young  daughter  of 
Caleb  Ellis,  and  the  first  death  of  an  adult,  was  that  of  Samantha 
Howard.  The  first  birth  is  said  to  have  been  that  of  Ontario 
Pierce,  a  son  of  Hezekiah  Pierce,  in  the  summer  of  1798.  For 
the  instruction  of  those  who  attach  faith  to  sayings,  we  would 
notice  that  it  is  related  as  said  by  an  old  Indian,  "  that  once  in 
thirty  years,"  there  had  been  noticed  a  period  of  sickness  among 
such  of  their  number  as  had  sojourned  here.  Whether  this  was 
said  before  or  after  the  sickly  season  of  1828,  we  are  not  in- 
formed. 

To  supply  the  place  of  mills,  Mr.  Ellis  and  his  settlers  con- 
structed, after  models  of  their  own  de\  ice,  those  primitive  mortars, 
used  from  necessity  in  B^  new  settlements,  and  made  by  boring 
and  burning  a  cavity  into  the  top  of  a  hard  wood  stump,  over 
which  was  suspended  a  pestle  by  a  spring  pole.  With  much 
difficulty,  during  the  season,  the  saw  mill  was  again  fitted  up, 
and  the  dam  rebuilt;  the  iron  and  heavy  freight  as  well  as  the 
furniture  of  settlers,  having  been  brought  into  town  in  open 
boats  by  way  of  Wood  Creek  and  Oswego. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  1798,  Marvel  Ellis  wrote  to  Con- 
stable as  follows: 

"  We  have  a  good  dam  across  the  creek,  which  has  been  ex- 
pensive; a  good  saw  mill,  well  finished,  and  running,  and  have 
(lone  considerable  towards  a  grist  mill.  We  have  on  the  same 
lot  a  large  and  handsome  improvement,  have  had  a  fine  ciop  of 


148 


EUisburgh. 


wheat,  and  have  very  fine  corn.  The  people  that  are  on  the  land, 
have  good  improvements  for  the  time  and  are  industrious.  I  in- 
close you  an  account  of  the  small  sales  to  the  settlers,  the  price 
sold  for,  and  what  has  been  received,  which  is  a  small  sum  in 
proportion  to  what  has  been  laid  out  on  the  land;  if  people  would 
have  been  satisfied  of  having  a  release  from  the  mortgage,  by 
paying  you,  we  should  have  had  sufficient  to  have  made  the  pre- 
sent payment  now  due.  The  remainder  of  the  money  due  from 
these  settlers,  is  due  within  a  year.  We  wish  you  to  give  us 
some  further  indulgence,  and  something  to  convince  people  that 
you  will  release  from  the  mortgage  on  receiving  payment,  which 
will  enable  us  to  make  payments  for  the  land,  and  make  a  large 
settlement  soon." 

Inclosed  in  the  foregoing  was  the  following  list,  with  the  num- 
ber of  acres  taken  up  by  each.  Joseph  Caldwell,  60;  Wm.  Hicks, 
51;  John  G.  Hayward,  150;  Caleb  Ellis,  126;  Neal  Salsbury, 
100;  Elijah  Pettybone,  100;  John  Paddock,  50:  Isaac  Souther- 
land,  130;  Asahel  Humphrey,  419;  Elisha  Phillips,  100;  Levi 
Root,  140;  Hez  Peirce,  149.  . 

The  first  corn  and  potatoes  raised  in  the  county  by  the  present 
race  of  settlers,  was  by  Lyman  Ellis  in  1797,  who  also,  in  1798, 
was  probably  the  first  to  raise  winter  wheat. 

The  winter  of  1798-9  was  one  of  remarkable  severity.  Snow 
fell  on  the  29th  of  Oct.  and  lasted  till  the  20  of  April.  A  settler 
in  town  (Gideon  Howard)  having  been  to  Rome,  was  returning 
when  the  first  snow  fell,  and  was  overtaken  by  night  in  the  woods 
near  Little  Sandy  Creek,  6  miles  from  home.  In  the  morning 
the  snow  had  fallen  nearly  four  feet,  and  was  so  light  that  it  was 
impossible  to  travel  in  it.  He  had  only  provision  enough  to  last 
home  without  obstruction,  and  was  detained  three  days,  endeav- 
oring to  struggle  through,  having  constructed  a  pair  of  snow 
shoes  which  however  were  of  little  avail.  When  he  reached 
home  he  was  nearly  exhausted  from  fatigue  and  hunger. 

In  the  spring  of  1799,  the  dam  of  Ellis  was  again  swept  off, 
and  the  mill  partly  destroyed  when  this  and  the  frame  of  a  grist  mill 
were  removed  to  the  present  village  above,  and  the  latter  was 
got  in  operation  about  1803. 

Many  interesting  details  of  the  early  settlement  of  this  town 
and  county,  are  given  in  the  following  extracts  from  the  diary 
of  James,  the  brother  of  Wm.  Constable,  who  in  1803-4-5-6, 
made  tours  in  the  summer  months  through  these  northern  counties, 
on  business  connected  with  the  estate  of  his  deceased  brother,  of 
which  he  was  one  of  the  executors.  The  original  copy  is  owned 
by  Henry  E.  Pierrepont,  Esq.  of  Brooklyn,  who  has  allowed  us  to 
make  the  following  extracts. 


*  *  « 
we  jrot 
got  ther 
and  no  i 
ttian  a  r 
as  we  jt 
could  »]( 
whicii  is 
which  di 
Jnst  the  I 
TJiree  n 
Ellis  beii 
was  aboi 
furniture 
and  in  t 
family  7C 
12»   bein, 
think  the 
We  dinec 
my  satistii 
We  Ief( 
after  it  be, 
the  timbei 
any  we  in 
other  peof 
'  o'clock  ani 
gone  to  se 
immediate 
siderable  c 
Septembe 
well  pleas 
tieard  of  a 
lay  speed] 
doctor  on  i 
was  from  . 
encouragin 
lot  of  50  a( 
also  soon  li 
hm  unfinis 
and  should 
strong  clair 
Septembe) 
and  was  m 
•^aps,  whic 
fine  effect, 
either  fine 
"'ore  I  am 
settlers,  w 
soon  reliev 
satisfied, 
settle  imme 
of  title.    , 
lived  here  n 
I'een  ^221, 
"pon  condii 
though  his 


EUisburgh. 


149 


*  *  « 


September  5th,  1803.  "Our  course  was  west  for  some  time,  till 
we  got  to  town  No.  11  fOrwell),  and  I  began  to  feel  interested  before  we 
got  there.  The  country  was  very  pleasant,  fine  forests  of  large  timber, 
and  no  underwood  or  brush,  so  that  although  the  road  was  no  better 
than  a  rugged  path,  and  not  u  creature  to  be  seen,  I  felt  much  pleased, 
as  we  journeyed  on  at  the  rate  of  two  and  a  half  miles  per  hour.  We  . 
could  not  well  judge  of  the  soil,  but  by  the  timber  it  was  covered  with, 
which  is  principally  maple,  and  beech,  with  a  small  portion  of  hemlock, 
which  denotes  good  soil.  *  *  *  After  travelling  some  miles,  I  had  at 
lost  the  gratification  of  seeing  a  settler  here  (in  No.  10,  or  Sandy  Creek). 
Three  men  were  cutting  and  burning  large  piles  of  enormous  treej. 
Ellis  being  acquainted  with  them,  we  went  and  staid  'n  their  hut,  which 
was  about  12  tieet  square,  built  of  logs;  no  chimney,  and  but  very  little 
furniture.  There  were  two  beds,  in  one  of  which  a  man  and  wife  slept, 
and  in  the  other  the  other  two  men.  One  man  was  distant  from  his 
family  70  miles.  They  had  a  con'  ct  from  B.  Wright  for  500  acres  at 
12»  being  first  settlers,  and  from  their  appearance  and  character,  J 
think  the  ?and  well  sold,  for  they  are  the  right  sort  to  settle  the  country. 
We  dined  on  salt,  pork,  with  good  bread,  butter,  and  chocolate,  much  to 
my  satisfaction. 

We  lelt  them  at  4  o'clock  for  EUisburgh,  9  miles  distant,  and  soon 
after  it  l^egan  to  rain  quite  hard,  and  continued  till  we  got  home.  From 
the  timber  and  appearances  of  thiifi  town  I  thought  it  superior  in  soil  to 
any  we  had  passed.  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  find  that  settlers  and  all 
other  people  find  it  equal  to  their  wishes.  We  retired  to  bed  about  8 
'  o'clock  and  slept  well.  It  was  my  intention  the  next  morning  to  have 
gone  to  see  every  man  in  the  settlement,  but  this  was  unnecessary,  lor 
immediately  after  breakfast,  many  of  them  came,  and  some  from  a  con- 
siderable distance. 

September  Gth.  Had  several  consultations  with  the  settlers,  who  seemed 
well  pleased  with  my  coming,  and  satisfied  with  my  explanations.  I 
heard  of  a  daughter  of  one  of  them  who  bad  been  seized  with  a  fit  and 
lay  speechless  for  the  preceeding  twenty-four  hours.  There  was  no 
doctor  on  the  town,  and  they  had  lo  send  iv/eiity  miles  twice,  to  one  who 
was  from  home.  This  affected  n^e  much  and  determined  me  to  propose 
encouraging  one  to  settle  here,  when  I  meet  the  Co-ex'rs. ,  Perhaps  a 
lot  of  50  acres,  given  to  one,  would  be  well  bestowed.  A  parson  will 
also  soon  be  applied  for.  I  find  Ellis's  house  and  mills  good  buildings, 
but  unfinished,  but  he  hopes  soon  to  com|)lete  them.  They  are  valuable 
and  should  be  kept  up.  He  will  be  useful  here,  and  I  think  has  some 
strong  claims  upon  us,  as  I  shall  explain. 

September  7th.  Went  after  breakfast  to  see  Lake  Ontario  5  miles  distant, 
and  was  much  pleased  with  it.  A  steady  west  gale  blew  up  the  white 
caps,  which  contrasting  with  the  sea  green  color  of-  the  water,  had  a 
fine  effect.  As  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  and  the  coiuitry  about  us 
either  fine  forests,  or  well  cultivated.  The  more  J  sec  of  the  town,  t!ie 
more  I  am  satisfied  of  its  value.  After  my  return  I  saw  the  rest  of  the 
settlers,  who  seemed  to  come  prepared  for  disappointment,  but  were 
soon  relieved,  and  afler  some  explanations,  they  went  away  perfectly 
satisfied.  I  am  convinced  this  property  is  extremely  valuable,  and  will 
settle  immediately,  now  that  they  feel  themselves  free  from  the  danger 
of  title.  About  roads  I  do  not  know  what  to  say.  *  *  *  Mr.  Ellis  has 
lived  here  nearly  six  yeors,  and  all  he  has  received  from  our  testator  has 
been  ^221,  for  commission  on  lunds  sold.  A  lot  was  promised  him 
upon  condition  of  his  coming  to  reside,  but  he  never  got  a  deed  for  it. 
though  his  mills  wei-e  first  erected  there  from  whence  they  have  been 


150 


Ellisburgh. 


since  removed  to  where  they  now  are.  He  now  rskn  the  exVs  for  a 
conveyance  for  the  lot  promised,  bein^  No.  94,  and  for  time  to  pay  "he 
nuove  balance,  the  security  for  wliich  is  ample,  as  his  bnidin^'s  ure 
valued  at  $2  000  and  the  title  to  the  lot  they  are  upon  is  still  with  the 
executors. 

I'hero  are  about  40  families  on  the  town,  most  of  them  poor,  but  of 
that  description  of  people  fit  to  settle  a  new  coimtry;  few  comforts 
about  them,  and  they  seem  to  have  few  wants;  no  liquor  is  to  be  had, 
and  they  have  not  }«t  begun  to  distill,  nor  are  there  any  apples  to  make 
cider,  so  that  their  only  drink  is  water,  with  which  they  seem  content. 
They  do  not  hesitate  about  the  price  of  $3,  but  paying  i  down  is  very 
difficult  for  most  of  them.  There  are  good  horned  cattle  amongst  them, 
the  horses  indifferent,  but  the  only  ones  fit  for  a  new  coimtry.  They  do 
not  seem  to  regard  distance,  and  go  9  or  10  miles  backward  and  forward 
daily,  over  roads  that  are  nearly  impassable. 

I  regretted  much  to  find  some  cases  of  the  lake  fever,  and  too  many 
of  the  fever  and  ague.  I  saw  two  families  laid  up  with  the  latter,  but  it 
is  admitted  to  have  declined  annually,  and  will,  I  trust,  soon  disappear. 
Tlie  crops  of  wheat  and  corn  are  very  fine.  I  ate  of  new  corn  on  the 
6th  of  September.  80  bushels  of  corn  have  been  produced  on  an  acre, 
but  50  is  about  the  general  run.  They  had  not  yet  turned  much  of  their 
land  to  meadow,  as  they  get  stifHcient  hay  on  tiie  marshes  near  the  lake, 
which  are  considered  a  kind  of  common,  though  they  belong  to  us.  The 
town  is  extremely  well  watered  by  the  two  branches  of  Sandy  Creek, 
but  they  ure  the  only  constant  streams,*  and  cnre  must  be  taken  that  the 
lots  on  these  waters  are  not  all  sold  off,  and  the  others  lef>,  fur  the  latter  ' 
would  not  sell.     Perhaps  a  new  allotment  would  be  advisable. 

September  8lh,  Left  Ellisburgh  at  4  P.  M.  for  Capt.  Boomer's,  five  miles 
distant,  where  I  slept.  This  man  owned  abc  it  100  acres  in  tho  town, 
upon  which  he  improved  about  15  acres,  and  the  other  improvements  are, 
b  lOg  house,  with  some  small  buildings.  He  has  sold  tlie  '.vhole  for 
$900,  receiving  the  great  part  down,  the  remuindei-  well  secured.  Other 
instances  of  the  value  they  set  upon  small  improvements  might  be  men- 
tioned, such  as  another  man  refusing  $1200  for  150  acres,  with  little 
more  done  than  the  above,  but  they  will  be  better  detailed  by  conversation. 

September  9th,  Left  Boomer's  to  travel  by  the  state  road  which  [lasses 
from  Ellistfiirgh  through  town  7  (Louis;  now  Adams),  1, 6,  7,  to  Redfield. 
*  *  *  What  I  saw  of  No.  1  (Lorraine),  is  much  interior  to  the  remain- 
der, as  Wright  calls  the  whole  a  good  town,  and  it  is  settling  fast." 

The  portions  relating  to  the  territory  now  Oswego  and  Lewis 
counties  are  omitted. 

*  *  *  August  21s<,  1804.  "Proceeded  on  to  Ellisburgh,  and  fo«nd  the 
road  from  Ellisburgh  so  extremely  bad,  and  so  seldom  travelled,  and 
another  route  shorter  and  better  presents  itself,  so  that  I  have,  by  the 
advice  of  Mr.  Wright,  judged  it  advisable  to  alter  to  tlie  latter;  he  is  ac- 
cordingly authorized  to  give  5  or  6  lots,  of  50  acres  each,  to  settlers,  en- 
titling them  to  deeds  afler  a  residence  a  certain  time,  on  10  and  11,  after 
they  have  erected  buildings  and  other  improvements.  The  road  will  he 
nearly  direct  from  Rome  to  Ellisburgh,  and  about  43  miles. 

August  03(1.  Went  down  Sandy  Creek  to  the  lake,  and  foiuid  the  marsh 
covered  with  hay  stacks,  the  contents  of  which  had  grown  spontaneously, 
and  there  are  many  horses  and  cattle  at  pasture,  which  proves  that  this 

*  This  was  erroneous.  There  are  numerous  perennial  streams  in  town,  and 
no  section  of  the  county  is  better  watered.     F.  B.  H. 


place 
very  d 
of  goo 
the  pri 
the  cr 
town, 
articio 
by  the 
settlers 
now  60 
and  set 
soil  so  I 
Atigu 
served  J 
land,  an 
No.  1  (I 
pion  anc 
the  rest, 
hut  has  r 
7,  lias  bi 
side  of  I 
the  prese 
somewho 
Hre  good 
The  wate 
here,  and 
iie  pays  n 
not  alwaj 
Cress  the 
No.2(W« 
to  Mr.  He 
it  at  12ff,  < 
nn  excell 
Slept  at  B 
August 
Harrison 
tolerably 
at  a  midd 
passed,    i 
lost  by  th( 
country  by 
'ion,  there 
'•aJiy,  $1  L 
would  take 
fiver  in  a  s 
sideiable  i 
reninin,  an 
desolate, 
'o  another, 
No.  4,  unJe 
Lawrence.f 
Le  Ray  ar 


ws 


♦This 
F.  B.  H. 
^  This  is  e 


Ellisburgh. 


151 


ploce  is  of  consequence.  Some  of  it  is  indeed  very  fine,  and  people  are 
very  desirous  of  buying,  but  no  judgment  can  be  formed  of  the  quantity 
of  good  and  bad,  and  L.  Ellis,  is  therefore  to  sen«l  me  an  estimate  before 
the  price  is  fixed.  Went  to  Christopher  P^dmonds  on  the  north  side  of 
the  creek.  He  has  a  tine  farm  and  has  produced  the  best  corn  on  the 
town.  He  expects  this  year  a  yield  of  about  90  bushels  per  acre.  This 
article  is  very  fine  throughout  the  place,  but  the  wheat  has  been  affected 
by  the  fly  and  rust.  The  establishment  has  flourished  generally,  many 
setdet  s  have  come  in  since  last  year,  and  more  are  expected.  There  are 
now  60  families,  and  though  cases  of  fever  and  ague  happen  near  the  lake, 
and  sometimes  the  lake  fever,  yet  the  country  is  a  healthy  one,  and  the 
soil  so  good  that  it  will  settle  fast 

Jluguat  'iAth,  Left  Ellisburgh,  with  directions  to  Ellis  to  sell  the  re- 
served lots  (9),  proceeding  through  Louis  No.  7  (Adams),  whici.  is  good 
land,  and  will  settle,  nearly  the  whole  being  taken  up,  thence  tlirough 
No.  1  (Houndsfield),  formerly  sold  by  Harrison  and  Hoffman  to  Cham- 
pion and  Storrs,  but  which  now  belongs  to  several  proprietors,  among 
the  rest,  Messrs.  Kemble  and  Houndsfield.  It  is  a  pretty  good  town, 
but  has  not  many  settlers,  and  the  road  only  cut  out  in  some  places.  No. 
7,  has  been  sold  generally  at  $3.  Arrive  at  Brownvillc,  on  the  north 
side  of  Black  River  where  we  dine  at  the  hotel,  a  building  too  large  for 
the  present  state  of  the  place,  and  not  fini^^hed.  The  country  appears 
somewhat  stony  about  the  rivers,  and  the  soil  not  very  good.  There 
are  good  houses  and  other  buildings,  and  a  good  deal  of  clearing  done. 
The  water  very  low,  and  Brown's  mill  can  not  work.*  He  has  a  store 
here,  and  does  a  good  deal  of  business  with  the  country  people,  to  whom 
Jie  pays  money  for  their  produce,  sending  It  to  Montreal,  where  he  can 
not  always  dispose  of  it  on  his  own  account,  by  which  he  is  a  loser. 
Cress  the  river,  and  pass  on  the  south  side  10  miles  further,  through 
No.  2  (Watertown),  belonging  to  Mr,  Low,  and  No.  3  (Rutland),  formerly 
to  Mr.  Henderson,  but  now  the  property  of  Isaac  Bronson,  who  bought 
it  at  12s,  cash,  which  is  considered  a  great  bargain  in  this  part,  as  it  is 
an  excellent  town,  and  well  settled.  No.  2  is  settling  by  degrees. 
Slept  at  Butterfield's  on  No.  3,  a  poor  tavein  in  an  old  log  house. 

August  U5tL  Pass  on  through  No.  4  (Champion),  formerly  sold  by 
Harrison  and  Hoffman  to  Champion  and  Storrs,  a  pretty  good  town 
tolerably  well  settled;  10  miles  to  the  Long  Falls,  where  we  breakfasted 
at  a  middling  good  tavern.  I  find  good  corn  universally  in  the  country 
passed.  The  winter  wheat  good  as  usual,  but  that  of  the  spring  mostly 
lost  by  the  insect  or  the  rust  (dew).  What  is  raised,  is  used  in  the 
country  by  the  inhabitants,  and  emigrants,  and  till  there  is  more  popula- 
tion, there  will  be  none  to  spare  for  another  market.  It  is  worth,  gene- 
rally, $1  per  bushel.  See  the  falls  only  at  u  distance,  in  part,  as  it 
would  take  much  time  and  trouble  to  examine  them  further.  Cross  the 
river  in  a  scow,  the  ferry  kept  by  Baptiste,  a  Frenchman,  one  >f  a  con- 
siderable number  who  settled  here  some  years  ago;  but  very  few  now 
remain,  and  the  buildings  being  mostly  in  ruins,  the  country  appenrs 
desolate.  Proceed  on  4  miles  from  the  river,  to  a  log  hut,  then  6  rriiea 
to  another,  then  12  to  a  third,  there  being  but  3  settlers  on  the  Great  Tract 
No.  4,  unless  there  are  some  on  Penet's  Square  adjoining  the  River  St. 
Lawrence.f  This  tract  belongs  to  or  is  under  the  management  of  Mr. 
Le  Ray  and  Mr.  G.  Morris,  and  nothing  has  yet  been  done  towards 

*  This  was  Philomel  Creek,  now  entirely  dry  except  in  spring  and  fall.— > 
F.  B.  H. 
t  This  is  erroneous,  the  Square  not  being  a  part  of  No.  4. — F.  B.  H. 


162 


FMisburgh. 


JJi 


settling  it;  tho  three  people  now  on  have  a  verbal  promise  thnt  they  sholl 
huvo  the  land  at  a  fair  price,  os  first  settlers;  but  they  ore  very  nnxioiia 
in  their  inquiries  alter  Gen.  Lewis  Munis,  who  it  is  uiKlerstood  hits 
nnrlcrtook  the  sellins!;  of  100,000  ncres.  'J'hc  soil  on  tho  road  is  good, 
but  it  is  snid  there  is  n  j:;ood  deni  of  had  land  and  broken  ground,  in  tho 
tract.  Sleep  at  Lee's  Tuvern,  22  miles  from  the  fulls,  with  hard  fare  and 
poor  lodgings. 

^ug.  20.  Pass  on  5  miles  to  the  Ox  Bow,  a  remarkable  bend  in  tho 

cast  branch  of  Oswegatchie  Kiver  and  a  fine  situation  for  a  large  hou^o. 

There  is  now  a  log  hut,  at  which  we  breakfasted,  and  another  in  r  ight."*** 

The  journal  of  travel  through  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin 

Counties  and  back  is  oinitted. 

Sept.  9.  S  !t  off  from  Lee's,  after  breakfost,  nnd  stop  at  Stearns'  on  No.  4, 
12  miles  distance,  then  10  i.iilus  more  to  the  Black  River,  which  we  cross 
at  the  Long  I'^ulls,  in  a  scow,  and  dine  at  Moselcy's  tavern,  on  the  south 
side.  Tiie  heat  this  day  excessive.  My  companions  nnd  their  horses 
suffered  more  than  either  I  or  my  horse  did.  Proceeded  on  10  miles 
further  to  Lowvillu,  through  Mr.  Harrison's  No.  5  ('  enmark),  which  is 
very  good  and  well  settled,  tho  soil  being  very  rich,  and  tho  road  (leep 
and  muddy,  especialiy  for  4  or  5  miles  after  leaving  the  river,  where  are 
fewest  settlers***.  Squire  Collins*  gave  us  some  informatioti  of  the  local 
proceedings,  the  division  of  the  county,  and  other  intrigues,  and  with 
what  I  have  heard  from  other  quarters,  it  appears  that  Stow.f  and  Marti  n4 
have  made  themselves  very  obnoxious,  and  they  will  differ  about  tho 
division  of  tho  county  on  their  side  of  it;  each  will  he  sui)ported  by 
opposite  interests,  and  they  will  bn  defeated  by  the  management  of  the 
proprietors  of  Redfield,  or  that  of  Jacob  Brown,  of  Brownville.  Each 
of  the  gentlemen  re(iuires  a  court  house  near  to  himself,  and  if  they  arc 
all  to  1)6  gratified,  Oneida  must  be  divided  into  five,  but  there  will  be 
opposition  to  their  wishes,  nnd  perhaps  to  any  division  of  the  county, 
wliich  would  be  for  tho  interest  of  the  land  owners,  as  the  extra  expense 
would  be  saved." 

The  remainder  of  this  year's  journal,  and  the  first  of  the  next 
omitted,  as  relating  to  other  sections.  On  returning,  Aug.  6, 
1805,  he  overtook  a  Mr.  Ford,  who  -was  cutting  out  the  state 
road  in  No.  7  (Redfield). 

"  Mr.  Ford  had  4  or  5  hands,  and  expects  to  increase  to  10  in  a  few 
days.  He  carries  with  him  a  house,  drawn  on  an  ox  sled.  It  is  14  by  7 
of  a  small  scantling  .ml  ihht  boards,  but  it  is  a  sufficient  protection  against 
the  weather,  and  a  comfortable  place  to  sleep  in.  His  daugiiter  attends 
to  cook  the  provisions  with  them,  and  as  his  farm  is  at  Iledtield,  they  get 
sauce  (vegetables)  from  thence  every  day  or  two.  *  *  *  Gates'  is  the  first 
wo  come  to  on  No.  1  (Lorraine),  on  lot  No.  75;  he  is  but  badly  lodged, 
though  he  hos  made  a  good  clearing.  We  found  tiiat  Mr.  Wright  had 
not  passed  this  way,  and  Gates  could  give  us  no  information,  but  he 
informed  us  there  was  a  good  road  to  BIr.  Sweet's,  on  No.  2  (Worth), 
where  we  might  meet  with  him,  if  he  was  employed  in  subdividing  that 
town.  We,  accordingly,  left  the  state  road,  and  struck  offcast,  intending 
to  sleep  at  Sweet's.  What  we  had  seen  of  No.  1  pleased  us  better  than 
the  other  two  towns,  and  this  appeared  to  us  very  good  for  the  distance 
of  2j  miles  to  Sweet's,  tho'  no  settlers  were  on  it.    No  tidings  of  Mr. 

*  Jonathan  Collins,  ofWest  Turin,  afterwards  judge  of  Lewis  County  Court, 
t  Silas  Stow,  of  Lowville,  first  judge  of  Lewis  Co.  He  was  Low's  agent, 
t  Brigadier  General  Walter  Martin,  of  Martinsburgh.  F.  B.  H. 


if 


EUisburgh. 


163 


Wright  The  house  was  Binall,  not  a  tavern,  and  full  of  people,  ao  that 
v/e  gave  up  the  idea  of  Bloc()ing  there.  Sweet  and  associates  are  pur- 
chasers of  5000  ocres,  that  formerly  helouged  to  Mr.  Hoffman.  We  were 
now  at  least  3)  miles  from  Alger'd  tavern  on  No.  1  (Lorraine),  and  it  was 
late  in  the  evening,  but  we  set  off  in  haste  through  an  untried  road,  and 
got  thereat  dusk.  The  landlord  was  gone  to  mill,  and  the  landlady  lay 
sick  of  a  fever.  She  requested  to  see  one  of  us,  and  I  wont  to  her  bed- 
side, when  she  expressed  her  regret  at  not  being  able  to  attend  upon  us, 
as  she  has  always  been  attentive  to  travellers; — that  the  best  the  house 
could  aiford  should  be  prepared ;  that  there  was  no  wheat  meal  in  the 
house,  but  her  husband  had  gone  for  some,  and  the  neighbors,  attending 
her,  would  see  to  our  accommodation,  if  we  would  stay.  My  companions 
concluded  to  go  on  to  Mr.  Hunter's,  4  or  5  miles  further,  but  I  remained, 
and  uAer  the  husband  returned,  they  got  me  a  supper  of  tea,  pork,  and 
bread  of  Indian  meal,  and  I  went  to  bed  in  the  same  room  with  the 
landlady,  who  was  indeed  very  sick,  and  attended  all  night,  but  I  slept 
without  waking.  I  should  have  preferred  another  situation,  but  it  was 
not  to  be  had.  Alger  has  done  but  little,  and  does  not  look  likely  to 
succeed.  He  has  not  made  any  payment,  and  hopes  for  indulgence,  but 
I  referred  him  to  Mr.  Wright.  Ho  is  on  lot  No.  34,  and  took  up  73  acres, 
but  has  not  made  any  payment  since  he  came  on  in  1803,  from  which 
time  interest  is  to  commence.    Ho  has  no  contract. 

Le*i\  early  next  morning,  and  the  bridge  over  Salmon  River  being  car- 
ried (iway,  I  forded  it.  Tiie  freshet  in  the  spring  was  very  destructive,  three 
bridges  and  a  mill  dnm  being  carried  off,  besides  other  damages.  *  *  * 
On  the  way  to  EUisburrrh,  found  many  settlers  since  last  year,  and  the 
improvement  considerable;  the  crops  of  wheat  excellent,  and  the  corn 
good,  as  they  have  suffered  little  from  drowth.  Arrived  at  Ellis'  at  noon, 
to  remain  2  or  3  days.  The  mills  are  in  tolerably  good  order,  but  the 
water  so  low  tiiey  can  grind  only  part  of  the  day.  Grists  ore  brought 
from  a  great  distance,  and  in  bouts  from  Oswego,  and  lower.  Ellis  has 
built  a  small  house  for  himself,  and  a  good  barn.  *  ** 

Aug.  9.  Went  down  to  the  lake,  and  being  fine  weather,  were  rowed 
down  Sandy  Creek  to  the  mouth.  The  lake  is  higher  than  it  has  been 
for  some  years,  and  more  of  the  marsh  is  covered,  which  has  prevented 
much  hay  being  cut.  If  the  waters  continue  to  rise,  which  they  think 
probable,  most  of  the  marsii  will  be  of  no  use.  We  returned  from  the 
lake,  and  wei'e  caught  in  a  shower  before,  we  got  to  Ellis'.  The  first 
rain  since  leaving  Schenectady.  *  *  *  A  schoolhouse  is  now  building, 
near  Ellis'  Mills,  on  the  same  lot,  to  be  two  stories  high,  the  upper  of 
which  is  to  be  devoted  to  divino  service,  when  any  minister  travels  that 
way.  The  town  have  also  subscribed  towards  building  a  bridge  across 
the  creek,  at  the  sa^Tin  place,  and  we  agreed  to  contribute  $20  as  they 
could  not  raise  sufficient,  but  they  have  engaged  to  improve  the  ruad  from 
;)u-^  bridge  to  the  north  line  of  No.  10.  Dr.  Dresser  has  but  two  patients, 
ana  :here  is  lesF,  sickness  than  at  any  previous  year  in  this  season." 

The  rroprietors  had  adopted  the  practice  of  giving  certificates, 
allowing  people  a  certain  time  after  exploring  to  go  for  their 
families,  before  taking  contracts,  but  it  was  found,  that  in  many 
cases  these  had  been  transferred,  and  this  having  grown  into  a 
system  of  speculation,  was  discontinued,  as  they  were  given  to 
assist  the  first  real  settlers,  and  their  transfer  operated  against 
the  interests  of  both  land  owners  and  settlers.  About  half  of 
No.  1  was  at  this  time  sold.    A  reputed  locality  of  iron  ore  was 

11 


154 


FMiahurgh. 


visited  on  No.  6  (Redfield),  which  was  thought  upon  examination 
to  be  coal,  but  which,  from  the  description  given,  must  have  been 
the  oxyde  of  manganese. 

^ug-.  19.  "Set  off  in  the  morning,  nnd  Mopped  at  Gates',  on  No.  1, 
neTHii  milcB  from  Drake's,  dates  is  uii  intelligent  mnn,  and  lias  taken 
up  no  more  land  than  he  ran  cultivate.  Ho  states  his  inability  to  meet 
his  payments  and  hopits  for  iridui;.Mtnce.  He  >vaa  told  that  every  thing 
reasoiiahle  would  be  done.  Passed  on  to  Smith's  Mills,  7  miles  further, 
but  did  not  stop,  and  arrived  nt  Mr.  Hammond's,  in  No.  6  (Henderson), 
where  we  got  dinner,  and  spent  the  night.  He  is  settled  on  Stony  Creek, 
about  H  miles  from  what  is  called  the  Harbor;  has  a  good  log  house, 
bujit  though  not  iinlNlx'd,  and  a  8t6ne  foundation,  for  a  large  barn. 
He  has  cleared  consiilorable,  and  owns  350  acres  of  land.  Though 
the  report  is  that  all  the  land  is  taken  up  in  town,  he  tells  us  there  are 
6000  acres,  that  have  not  yet  been  surveyed.  Mr.  Wright  expects  to  meet 
Mr.  Henderson  here,  abotit  the  "iOth,  to  survey  and  to  lay  out  a  village  at 
the  Harbor.  Went  in  tlie  evening  to  see  the  Harbor,  2  miles  distant,  unc) 
bathed  in  it.  It  is  formed  by  a  peninsula  on  Lake  Ontario,  where  Stony 
Creek  empties,  and  tho'  not  a  safe  one,  is  a  pretty  situation.  The  trees 
are  at  present  only  felled,  at  some  places,  so  that  the  prospect  can  not  he 
judged  of,  but  it  will  probably  be  very  fine.  Mr.  Hopkins,  the  agrnt  for 
Henderson,  has  begun  a  large  house,  and  has  gone  to  Vermont  for  his 
family.  It  narrowly  escaped  being  burned  to  the  ground,  by  a  fire  front 
a  piece  cleared  near  it  in  the  dry  weather." 

The  price  of  land  in  this  town  is  $3,50,  which  is  high  enough  for  the 
soil,  which  is  very  light  over  the  rock,  so  that  by  burning  a  fallow,  it  is 
nearly  consumed,  and  from  the  wind  fulls  it  appears  the  roots  of  the  trees 
can  get  but  a  slight  hold  on  the  soil,  on  account  of  the  rocks. 

'/lug.  15,  Leil  Hammond's  after  breakfast,  for  Sackets  Harbor,  12  miles 
distance.  The  road  to  Henderson's  Harbor  |)lain,  but  in  consequence  of 
the  chopping,  the  road  to  the  lake  was  stmt  up,  and  we  were  obliged  to 
take  tu  the  woods  for  a  mile  or  two,  and  found  it  difficult  to  get  along. 
Saw  two  or  three  clearings  before  we  reached  the  lake,  and  at  each  the 
road  or  path  was  almost  shut  up.  When  we  reached  the  sho<-e  found  it 
rocky  and  somewhat  dangerous  for  horses.  I  alighted  and  walked  some 
miles,  but  my  companions  rode  the  whole  distance.  When  we  came  to 
a  sandy  beach  I  moimted,  and  we  went  on  pleasantly  for  some  miles,  tilh 
we  came  to  a  creek*  emptying  from  a  beaver  dam  into  the  lake  which 
had  the  appearance  of  being  too  deep  to  ford,  but  seeing  a  man  on  the 
opposite  side,  we  hailed  him,  and  he  answered  to  us  to  come  on,  as  the 
water  was  not  deep.  We  went  on,  but  the  water  was  at  least  3  feet,  and 
I  was  not  easy  in  crossing.  After  travelling  the  beach  a  mile  farther, 
and  through  the  road  another  mile,  we  arrived  at  Sackets  Harbor,  which 
has  a  very  pretty  appearance,  and  promises  from  its  situation  to  become 
of  importance.  A  collector's  ofhce  is  established  by  the  United  States, 
and  Mr.  Sacket,  the  collector,  has  a  salary  of  $700.  He  called  upon  us, 
and  we  went  to  his  house,  which  is  quite  a  building,  and  the  premises 
are  very  neat.  The  drouth  has  been  very  severe.  He  informed  us  that 
the  proprietors  of  this  town  bad  lately  declined  selling,  but  that  the  whole 
would  sell  readily  at  $5,  Mr.  Low  had  determined  not  to  sell  at  any  price, 
but  in  this  we  were  afterwards  told  he  was  incorrect.  He  talks  of  the 
collector's  office  not  being  worth  his  attention  although  1000  tons  of  ashes 
have  been  sent  from  the  Harbor,  and  ha  is  quite  dsirous  of  selling  his 

*  Bedford  Creek. 


FAlishurgh. 


155 


whole  property.  •  •  *  Proceeded  to  Brownville,  9  miles  where  we  dined ; 
found  tlie  water  very  low,  niid  IJrowii'H  milb  not  nt  work.  The  place  is 
not  materiuliy  altere<l  from  liiHt  yenr,  except  some  new  buildings,  and  the 
road  through  the  village  turnpike  hy  private  subscription.  Called  on 
Jacob  Drown,  who  was  not  at  home,  but  he  soon  ni\or  called  upon  us, 
when  we  were  about  to  set  off,  •  *  *.  Rutland  was  formerly  sold  to 
iH'inc  Bronson,  by  Mr.  IIciiderMon,  at  a  great  sacrifice,  and  the  former  will 
clear  a  large  sum  ofnionoy  by  it,  unless  as  we  are  told  he  has  given  it  up 
to  his  brother,  binding  him  only  to  his  principal  and  interest,  in  which 
case  his  brother  who  lives  here  will  get  the  benefit  of  it  and  it  will  be 
lorge,  if  as  they  say  every  aero  will  sell  for  $5,  or  $0.  The  settlers  are 
numerous,  on  the  road  at  least,  and  the  buildings  generally  good. 

•Aug.  IG.  Loft  Iletb's  early,  and  went  towards  the  Long  Palls,  ex[)eot- 
ing  to  be  obstructed  by  many  wind  falls,  in  consequence  ofthe  boisterous 
night,  but  we  got  on  very  well,  and  found  the  country  thickly  settled  in 
Cbampion,  where  they  told  us  the  price  of  land  was  from  $G  to  $10,  and 
not  much  for  sale,  when  weorrivod  at  the  falls,  the  house  onfthis  side  not 
being  a  tavern,  we  were  obliged  to  cross  the  river  for  breakfast,  and  were 
detained  nearly  an  hour  at  the  ferry.  Proceeded  through  great  tract  No. 
IV  and  stopped  at  Steam's  10  miles,  where  we  dined  and  arrived  at  Lee's, 
22  miles  from  the  fulls,  wliere  we  i)a8£ed  the  night,  and  as  the  house  was 
completely  full  an  unconilbrtable  one  it  was.  I  see  no  alteration  in  this 
part  ofthe  country  since  last  year,  the  road  ut  leost  as  bad,  and  no  more 
settlerH.  We  were  told  Gen.  Lewis,  R.  Morris,  has  been  through  it,  and 
has  now  gone  to  Vermont,  intending  shortly  to  return  and  perhaps  with 
his  family.  He  has  quited  Lee,  and  other  squatters,  who  seemed  well 
satisfied.    He  is  expected  to  build  nt  the  Ox  Bow. 

Aug,  17.  LefY  liCe's  very  early,  and  came  through  to  the  Ox  Bow  5 
miles  of  as  bud  roud  as  we  hud  yet  travelle<l,"  *  *  *. 

One  year  after\varcls(August  8,  1806),  Mr.  Constable  in  going 
over  this  route  remarked. 

"  Passed  from  the  Long  Falls  to  the  bridge  at  Indian  River  ( Antwerp 
Village),  where  we  spent  the  night.  The  country  generally  remains  as 
last  year,  except  at  this  place  where  they  are  building  a  saw  mill  for 
Gen.  Lewis,  R.  Morris,  who  has  gone  to  Vermont,  his  family  not  having 
yet  moved  to  this  town."  The  same  journal  (August  180G)  speaking  of 
the  settlements  in  Ellisburgh  says:  "  From  Asa  Brown's  passed  on  to 
Andrews'  settlement,  on  Ellisburgh,  through  a  very  good  road,  4  miles. 
He  has  made  considerable  im[M'ovemcnt  here.  The  saw  mill  has  been 
long  in  use,  and  has  enabled  them  to  orect  frame  houses,  some  good 
barns,  and  a  large  grist  mill,  which  is  however  not  yet  finished  and  afler 
dinner  walked  to  see  the  lake,  which  as  the  wind  blew  fresh  from  the 
west,  had  a  very  pleasing  appearance,  *  *  *.  Ellis  rents  the  mills  for 
$4C0  per  annum,  and  hisaflairs  will  soon  be  in  good  order.  *  *  •  We 
heard  with  great  concern  the  death  of  EUer  Littlefield,  which  happened 
a  few  days  before  our  arrival.  He  was  a  man  of  some  consequence  and 
much  respected,  and  has  left  a  widow  and  nine  children.  It  is  supposed 
he  died  intestate.  *  *  *  There  have  been  some  casesof  sickness  du- 
ring the  season,  but  none  fatal.  Dr.  Draper  is  still  on  the  town,  and  has 
considerable  practice.  He  will  continue  here  and  hopes  to  build  a  house 
next  year  when  ho  will  require  a  deed  for  the  50  acres  of  land  to  which 
he  is  entitled.  I  should  Imve  remarked  that  180  militia  men  trained  here 
yesterday  (September  2)  and  it  is  said  by  some,  that  one  third  were  ab^ 
sent    If  so  the  population  has  greatly  increased." 


:i| 


li 


I J 


156 


EUitburgh. 


On  the  22d  of  January,  1803,  George  Tibbets  and  James  Dole, 
of  Troy,  were  appointed  agents  lor  EUisburgh,  and  in  1S07  were 
paid  for  their  services  in  land,  In  the  same  year,  Benjaioin 
Wright,  of  Rome,  succeeded  as  general  agent  for  the  estate,  and 
fixed  his  residence  at  Pulaski,  where  he  continued  in  the  capaci- 
ty of  8urvf\or  and  agent  until  employed  on  the  canal  surve}s. 

No  incident  worthy  of  remark  occurred  uiu  1808,  when  the 
embargo  act  was  passed;  that  led  to  much  op(iw.sition  from  the 
Federal  party  in  this  county,  and  was  in  some  places  on  this 
frontier  systematically  violated. 

In  September,  1808,  an  event  occurred  in  this  town  that  cre- 
ated great  excitement  at  the  time.  We  take  it  from  accounts 
published  in  the  Albany  Gazette,  Oct.  10,  1808.  A  party  from 
Oswego,  under  Lieut.  Asa  Wells,  entered  Sandy  Creek,  and  after 
seizing  a  quantity  of  potash,  under  the  embargo  laws,  proceeded 
to  the  house  of  Capt.  Fairfield,  surrounded  it,  and  seized  and 
carried  away  a  swivel.  Mr.  F.  being  absent,  his  lady  made 
complaint  to  a  justice,  who  issued  a  warrant.  The  constable 
was  intimidated,  and  called  upon  his  fellow  citizens  to  aid  him, 
when  about  thirty  men  took  arms,  and  went  with  him,  but 
Wells'  men  presented  bayonets,  when  they  desisted,  and  twenty 
of  the  men  went  off.  Lieut.  Wells  ordered  the  remainder  to  be 
disarmed,  and  bound,  when  they  were  taken,  with  the  swivel,  to 
Oswego.  On  the  evening  of  the  26th  September  the  same  party 
returned,  as  reported,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  magistrate 
and  constable,  who  had  issued  the  papers.  A  warrant  against 
Wells,  and  two  others,  for  felony,  in  breaking  open  a  house, 
was  issued  at  Sackets  Harbor,  and  given  to  Ambrose  Pease,  a 
constable,  to  execute,  who,  after  examining  the  law,  raised  the 
hue  and  cry,  and  assembled  about  200  persons  in  EUisburgh, 
%vhere  a  consultation  of  several  magistrates  was  held,  and  the 
next  day  at  sunrise  about  seventy  or  eighty  men,  armed  and 
equipped,  volunteered  to  aid  in  the  arrest,  but  the  magistrates 
durst  not  issue  the  order  for  their  march,  being  apprehensive 
that  some  excess  or  injury  might  be  done,  and  the  question  hav- 
ing been  raised  whether  a  constable  had  a  right  to  demand  aid, 
before  he  had  been  resisted,  the  armed  men  were  advised  to  dis- 
perse, and  the  civil  officer  requested  to  proceed  to  apprehend 
Wells  and  the  others,  without  the  force  of  the  county.  This 
proceeding  was  charged,  by  one  of  the  political  parties,  as  an 
attempt  of  the  other  to  resist,  by  force  of  arms,  the  execution  of 
the  laws,  and  mutual  criminations  were  exchanged  with  much 
bitterness.  To  justify  themselves,  and  secure  public  opinion  in 
their  favor,  the  civil  officers  who  had  taken  an  interest  in  the 
matter,  prepared  the  followjng  statement,  which  was  published 
in  the  papers  of  the  day,  at  Utica,  Albany  and  elsewhere  : 


Elliaburgh. 


167 


**  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhahitantii  of  the  county  of  JofTeraon,  in  the 
state  of  New  Yorl<,  Nuthinniy  convened  (hy  conminnd  ot  the  civil  author- 
ity), in  the  town  of  ElhMhurgh,  to  take  into  consideration  the  (trnper  and 
Ittgnl  mode  to  a|i|>rehond  cnrtnin  feionH  and  rnhlters,  wiio,  in  tlie  town  of 
KlhHliur^h  in  miid  county,  being  armed,  und  under  the  pretonae  of  hoina 
in  tlio  Hervico  of  tlio  United  Htateh,  to  enforo  the  undiargo  hiWN,  did 
tliere  vinlentiv,  and  forcibly,  enter  into  the  dwelling  house  of  Cuptaiu 
Fairfield,  broke  open  locks,  forced  open  doors,  and  robbed  the  h.-«id  Capt. 
Fairfield  of  his  property,  contrary  to  the  laws;  that  they  refused  to  sub- 
mit to  the  cfi^il  authority  of  the  country,  and  did  then  und  there,  by  force 
and  arms,  seize,  bind  and  carry  away  to  Oswego,  ten  of  our  fellow  citi- 
zens, who  wore  commanded  to  attend' a  civil  officer  in  the  execiitim  of 
process  on  the  said  offenders;  which  citizenH  have  been  kept  since,  in 
close  confinement,  in  want  of  every  comfort  and  convenience  of  life, 
without  lawful  authority,  and  constantly  subject  to  insult  of  soldiery, 
who  seem  insensible  of  the  rights,  privileges  and  liberties  of  Americans. 
Feeling  the  spirit  of  freemen,  and  viewing  this  and  many  oth;<r  late  acta 
of  violence  as  rapid  strides  towards  despotism  and  martial  low  among  us, 
the  establishment  of  which  must  occasion  a  total  deprivatio;.  .^f  the  rigl  .  ] 
for  which  our  fathers  and  many  of  us  have  fought  and  bled;  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  we  consider  it  a  duty  incumbent  on  us,  for  our  pe'vti  ai 
safety,  for  the  security  of  our  lives  and  ])roperty,  and  for  the  Bupp«  rt  of 
our  civil  law  and  authority,  to  unite  in  nl!  lawful  measuret  i^  apprehend 
the  said  felons.' 

Resolved,  That  such  of  our  fellow  citizens  who  have  onmc  nbl>  J  in  arms 
to  aid  our  magistrates  and  civil  officers  in  the  execution  of  lawful  pro- 
cess against  Lieut.  Asa  Wells,  and  others,  who  stand  charged  under  oath 
of  felony,  be  requested  to  dispcrHc,  until  another  trial  be  made  by  them 
to  apprehend  the  said  Asa  Wells. 

Resolved,  That  the  magistrates  and  civil  authorities  of  the  neighboring 
counties  be  requested  to  aid  us  in  apprehending  and  brinpiug  to  justice 
the  said  Lieut.  Wells,  and  divers  other  persona  concerned  in  the  said 
felony. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  support  the  laws  and  magistrates  of  the  coun- 
try, and  our  civil  officers  in  the  execution  of  lawful  process. 

Resolved,  That  Augustus  Socket,  Jesse  Hopkins,  and  John  Cowles,  Esqs., 
magistrates  of  the  county,  be  appointed  a  committee  to  cause  these  reso- 
lutions to  be  published,  for  the  information  of  our  fellow  citizens. 

Ausr    'TT8  Sacket,^ 
Jespx  }i'>?KiiN8,       >  CommUtu, 
John  C'^wles,        j 

EUisburgh,  Sept.  27,  1808. 

During  the  war  a  company  of  Silver  Greys,  composed  of  old 
men  and  boys,  not  liable  to  military  duty,  was  formed  in  Wood's 
Settlement,  but  was  not  called  lo  serve,  except  to  guard  the  beach 
and  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek. 

In  the  spring  of  1814,  a  complete  victory  was  gained  with 
slight  loss,  by  a  detachment  of  troops  guarding  a  quantity  of 
military  stores  from  Oswego  under  Lieut.  Woolsey,  which  had 
entered  Sandy  Creek,  and  were  attacked  by  a  detachment  from 
the  British  fleet.  The  details  of  this  transaction  will  be  given  in 
our  chapter  on  the  war. 

The  aboriginal  remains  of  EUisburgh,  have  given  occasion  for 


158 


KUiaburgh. 


the  weak  minded  to  believe,  thai  they  were  in  some  way  con- 
cerned with  buried  treasures,  and  this  being  confirmed  by  the 
supposed  indications  of  the  divining  rod,  led  in  early  times  to 
explorations  fcr  them,  despite  of  the  guardianship  of  the  spirits 
of  the  murdered,  who  according  to  the  most  approved  deraon- 
ologists,  are  ever  placed  sentries  over  concealed  coff'ers.  The 
projectors  of  these  speculations  were  in  some  instances  charged 
with  making  money  out  of  the  credulous  victims  of  i^uperslition, 
by  selling  provisions,  and  in  several  instances,  the  diggers  were 
almost  frightened  out  of  their  senses  by  ghosts  and  demons;  some 
got  fleeced  of  substantial  property  in  pursuit  of  imaginary  wealth, 
and  others  lost  the  respect  of  sensible  men,  by  the  favor  with 
which  they  regarded  these  follies.  On  a  certain  occasion  in  pre- 
paring the  enchanted  circle  for  digging,  a  lamb  was  sacrificed, 
to  appease  the  guardian  demons  of  the  supposed  treasure;  but 
this  act  was  generally  regarded  as  a  sacrilege,  and  did  much 
towc;rds  bringing  discredit  upon  these  heathenish  orgies. 

It  is  humiliating  to  know,  that  at  a  period  so  recent,  and  in  a 
locality  that  enjoyed  the  means  of  education  as  early  as  any  in 
the  county,  such  absurdities  of  belief  in  witchcraft  should  have 
prevailed,  nor  is  consolation  afforded  in  the  fact,  that  in  other 
sections,  and  at  the  present  day,  we  daily  witness  the  evidences 
of  a  belief  in  superstitions  quite  as  absurd.  Incidents  might  be 
given,  and  details  related,  of  the  ritual  observed  by  these  mid- 
night seekers  for  subterranean  gold,  but  the  narratives  would  be 
unprofitable,  and  can  not  be  too  soon  forgotten. 

In  1828,  there  again  occurred  a  sickness  thj^t  was  remarkable 
for  its  fatality,  more  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lake,  where 
scarcely  a  single  person  escaped  an  attack.  It  continued  through 
the  summer  months,  which  were  remarkable  for  their  intense 
heat,  with  copious  showers,  alternating  with  clear  sky  and  hot 
sun.  The  lake  was  very  high,  and  the  marshes  were  flowed. 
The  disease  assumed  the  type  of  a  malignant  typhoid  fever,  and 
was  very  general,  extending  along  the  entire  frontier,  being 
especially  severe  in  the  vicinity  of  marshes  and  standing  water. 
In  the  western  part  of  the  state,  this  year  was  distinguished  by 
the  prevalence  of  intermittent  anu  other  fevers. 

Ellis  Village  (Ellisburg  P.  0,),  is  situated  mostly  on  the 
north  bank  of  the  south  branch  of  Big  Sandy  Creek,  about  four 
miles  from  its  mouth.  It  is  the  oldest  village  in  the  town,  and 
contained,  in  August  1853,  four  stores,  two  inns,  two  flouring 
mills,  one  plaster  mill,  one  chair  shop,  one  tannery,  one  saw 
mill,  one  shingle  factory,  two  carriage  shops,  four  blacksmith 
shops,  and  about  sixty  families.  P'our  physicians  resided  in 
the  place,  and  the  village  contained  churches  of  the  Methodist 
and  Universalist  orders.    It  is  distant  from  Belleville  three  miles; 


EUishurgh. 


i5d 


Mannsville  four  miles;  Pierrepont  Manor  three  miles;  and  Wood- 
ville  two  and  a  half  miles. 

Belleville,  on  the  north  bank  of  North  Sandy  Creek,  three 
miles  above  Woodville,  and  by  rail  road,  five  from  Pierrepont 
Manor,  began  as  a  farming  settlement,  by  Metcalf  Lee,  BrafHey 
Freeman,  Joshua  Freeman,  Martin  Barney,  James,  Benjamin, 
and  Jedediah  McCumber,  and  a  few  others  about  1802-3.  Elder 
Littlefield  soon  after  purchased,  and  the  place  being  favor- 
ably situated  for  mills,  gradually  grew  to  a  village.  Soon 
after  the  war,  at  the  suggestion  of  Calvin  Clark,  a  merchant,  a 
meeting  ^  'as  called  to  select  a  name  for  the  place,  and  a  com- 
mittee was  chosen,  who  selected  the  present,  which  is  said  to 
have  been  taken  from  Belleville  in  Canada.  Before  this  it  had 
been  known  as  Hall's  Mills,  from  Giles  Hall,  who  in  1806,  pur- 
chased of  J.  McCumber  a  hydraulic  privilege  here,  and  who  has 
ever  since  resided  in  this  place.  The  first  merchant  was  Laban 
Brown;  John  Hawn  was  the  first  innkeeper. 

This  place  has,  wiihin  the  last  year,  been  brought  in  commu- 
nication with  markets,  by  completion  of  the  Sackets  Harbor  and 
Ellisburgh  Rail  Road,  which  has  given  a  new  impulse  to  its 
growth.  It  is  the  centre  of  a  highly  cultivated  district,  and  one 
that  has  taken  great  interest  in  agriculture  as  a  practical  science. 
The  Ellisburgh  Agricultural  Society,  of  which  an  account  will  b«5 
given,  has  recently  fitted  up  a  fair  ground  adjacent  to  the  village: 
and  in  no  town  in  the  county  has  so  much  emulation  been 
evinced  in  agricultural  pursuits  as  in  this.  The  village  of  Belle- 
ville contains  a  Presbyterian,  a  Baptist,  and  a  Methodist  church, 
and  is  the  seat  of  the  Union  Literary  Society,  an  academic  insti- 
tution, whose  history  and  condition  will  be  given  in  a  future 
chapter.  It  is  three  miles  from  Ellis  Village,  two  and  a  half 
from  Woodville,  six  from  Smithville,  six  from  Henderson,  five 
from  Adams,  and  five  from  Pierrepont  Manor. 

Rural  Hill  Post  Office,  a  small  settlement  two  miles  west 
from  Belleville,  was  formerly  called  Buck  Hill,  has  two  stores, 
one  tavern,  and  a  few  dwellings. 

Woodville,  a  small  village  on  North  Sandy  Creek  about  three 
miles  from  its  mouth,  formerly  Wood's  Settlement,  was  settled  by 
Ebenezer,  Ephraira,  and  Jacob  Wood,  sons  of  Nathaniel  Wood, 
of  Middletown,  Vt,  who  came  in  to  look  for  lands  with  Orimal 
Brewster,  Simeon  'J  itus,  Kphraim  Wood,  Jr.,  and  Hezekiah 
Lelfingwell,  in  the  fall- of  1803.  Messrs.  E.  &  E.  Wood  pur- 
chased May  26,  1804,  for  $2,294*80,  a  tract  of  7  54  acres,  and 
in  March,  Ephraim  V/ood,  with  a  daughter  and  three  sons,  came 
in  to  reside,  his  brother  Ebenezer  remaining  to  settle  the  estate. 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Wood,  their  father,  an  old  man,  came  on  in  June, 
1804.     Obadluh  Kingsbury,  Oliver  Scott,  and  others,  came  the 


160 


Ellisburgh. 


same  year.  A  small  mill  was  built,  and  in  1805,  got  in  opera- 
tion. In  1805  Ebenezer  WooiJ,  Nathaniel  Wood,  Jr.,*  Mosely 
Wood,  Sarauel  Truesdale,  and  families,  came  in,  and  several 
young  men.  A  field  of  corn  planted  by  the  Woods,  on  the 
marsh,  as  late  as  June  7,  produced  an  immense  yield,  which 
greatly  raised  the  reputation  of  the  settlement,  and  the  hopes  of 
the  settlers. 

Woodville,  in  August,  1853,  contained  a  store,  two  saw  mills, 
grist  mill,  two  churches  (Baptist  and  Congregational),  a  paper 
mill  (built  by  Messrs.  Clark,  about  seven  years  since),  the  usual 
variety  of  mechanics,  and  about  thirty  families. 

In  1802,  Joseph  Allen,  with  Pardon  Earlf  and  Arnold  Earl, 
from  Galway,  N.  Y.,  came  in  by  way  of  Redfield,  to  Adams,  and 
thence  worked  their  way  through  the  forest  to  Bear  Creek,  and 
settled  on  the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Pierrepont  Manor. 
William  Tabor,  William  Case,  two  or  three  families  by  the  name 
of  Simmons,  and  a  few  others  settled  for  farming  purposes  soon 
after.  Allen  opened  the  first  inn,  and  Oliver  Snow  the  first 
store.  Mr.  P.  Earl,  after  1807,  became  a  local  land  agent,  and 
a  man  of  extensive  business,  and  in  1822  the  agency  of  the  es- 
tates derived  by  H.  B.  Pierrepont  from  William  Constable,  lying 
in  Jefferson  and  Oswego  counties,  was  assumed  by  William  C. 
Pierrepont,  his  elder  son,  who  has  since  resided  here,  and  ac- 
quired the  title  of  these  lands.  Th  :  village  has  at  present  an 
inn,  two  stores,  a  number  of  mechanics,  and  between  thirty  and 
forty  dwellings.  It  is  by  plank  road  five  miles  from  Adams  vil- 
lage, two  from  Mannsville,  and  thirteen  from  Pulaski.  The  W. 
and  R.  Rail  Road  has  a  station  and  eating  house  at  this  place, 
and  it  here  joins  the  Sackets  Harbor  and  Ellisburgh  Rail  Road. 
Few  villages  will  compare  with  this,  for  the  neat  and  quiet  aspect 
which  it  presents.  It  is  situated  on  the  level  of  the  lake  ridge, 
and  commands  a  distant  prospect  of  the  lake. 

A  melancholy  accident  occcurred  near  this  place,  on  the  even- 
in'^  of  May  6,  1852,  by  an  engine,  while  running  backwards, 
coming  in  contact  with  a  hand  car  containing  a  party  of  young 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  by  which  three  of  the  former  were  killed, 
and  one  severely  injured.  The  hand  car  was  taken  contrary  to 
explicit  orders  of  the  company  by  employees,  who  were  at  once 
discharged.  No  blame  was  attached  to  any  one,  except  those 
who  had  allowed  the  hand  car  to  be  placed  upon  the  track. 

Mannsville,  on  Mannsville,  or  Skinner  Creek,  two  miles  south 
of  Pierrepont  Manor,  and  on  the  line  of  the  W.  &  R.  R.  R., 
began  to  be  settled  by  David  I.  Andrus,  as  agent  for  Samuel 

*  Reuben  Wood,  late  governor  of  Ohio,  and  now  in  Valparaizo,  is  a  son  ot 
Nathaniel  Wood. 

t  Mr.  Earl  died  here  January  9,  1844,  aged  6i. 


sons. 


EUisburgh. 


161 


Wardwell  of  Rhode  Island,  who  had  made  extensive  purchase 
here  and  elsewhere  in  town.  The  improvement  by  Andnis  was 
slight,  and  the  place  only  began  to  increase  in  1822,  when  Dan- 
iel Wardwell  came  on  and  took  charge  of  the  purchase  made 
several  years  previous  by  his  father,  an<l  in  1823  he  began  the 
erection  of  a  cotton  factory,  having  for  its  dimensions  forty  by 
fifty  feet,  and  three  stories  high,  which  stood  a  short  distance 
below  the  present  village,  and  was  fitted  for  600  spindles.  Soon 
after,  Major  H.  B.  Mann  purchased  half  of  the  factory,  which 
had  been  two  or  three  years  in  operation,  when  it  was  burned 
February  16,  1827.     The  loss  was  estimated  at  $10,000. 

The  present  name  was  adopted  on  the  formation  of  a  post  of- 
fice. In  August,  1853,  it  contained  five  stores,  one  hotel,  two 
harness  shops,  four  black  smith  shops,  two  carriage  shops,  one 
tin  shop,  two  tanneries,  one  grist  mill,  one  saw  mill,  three  shoe 
shops,  a  church  and  about  fifty  dwellings.  It  is  on  the  Adams 
and  Ellisburgh  Plank  Road,  formerly  a  stage  road. 

The  lake  shore  in  this  town  is  nearly  a  straight  line,  and  is 
bordered  by  a  low  ridge  of  sand  hills,  scantily  covered  with  trees 
at  a  few  points,  but  mostly  composed  of  drilting  sands.  Behind 
this  is  a  large  marsh  that  extends  several  miles  each  way  from 
Sandy  Creek,  in  which  are  open  ponds.  These  marshes  are 
without  timber,  are  covered  with  sedges,  aquatic  plants,  and 
wild  rice,  and  when  the  lake  is  low,  a  considerable  portion  of 
them  may  be  mowed,  but  in  high  water  they  are  mostly  flowed. 
A  large  part  of  the  marsh  remains  unsold,  and  is  used  as  a  kind 
of  common.  Where  capable  of  tillage  it  is  found  very  productive. 

The  lake  shore  has  been  the  scene  of  many  wrecks,  since  the 
country  was  settled,  the  first  within  the  memory  of  those  living 
having  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1800,  when  a  small  schooner 
from  Mexico,  to  Gananoqui,  Capt.  Gammon,  master,  was  lost 
off  Little  Stony  Creek,  and  all  on  board  perished.  A  boat  of 
eight  men,  that  was  sent  in  search  of  the  vessel,  was  also 
swamped,  and  all  hands  were  drowned. 

About  1807,  a  family  was  located  by  Mr.  Benjamin  Wright, 
at  the  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek,  to  afford  aid  to  shipwrecked  per- 
and  since  that  period  this  lonely  dwelling  has  sheltered 


sons, 


many  a  suffering  sailor,  who  might  otherwise  have  perished. 
Within  the  memory  of  the  present  tenant,  who  has  occupied  the 
premises  thirty  years,  the  following  vessels  have  been  wrecked 
on  this  coast,  and  several  near  the  house  :  Atlas,  Asp,  Huron, 
Ann,  Fame  of  Genessee,  Two  Sisters,  Victory,  Hornet,  Three 
Brothers,  Medora,  Burlington,  Caroline,  Henry  Clay,  Neptune, 
Napoleon,  White  Cloud,  and  several  others,  names  not  known, 
of  many  of  which  the  entire  crews  were  lost,  and  of  others  a 
part  were  saved.     These  are  but  a  part  of  the  whole  number 


162 


Ellisburgh. 


"'  '   il 


If   I 


that  have  been  lost  here,  and  the  subject  of  establishing  a  light, 
or  at  least  one  or  more  life  boats,  with  the  necessary  apparatus, 
on  the  beach,  for  use  in  case  of  shipwrecks,  commends  itself 
strongly  to  the  charities  of  the  humane,  and  the  attention  of 
government. 

In  1829  a  survey  of  the  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek  was  made,  by 
order  of  the  general  government,  with  the  view  of  improving  it 
for  a  harbor.  The  estimated  cost  of  the  work  was  $36,000,  but 
nothing  was  ever  done  towards  effecting  this.  The  completion 
of  the  railroad  has  diminished  the  amount  of  commerce  at  this 
place,  which  was  always  small.  A  warehouse  had  been  erected 
at  the  head  of  navigation,  on  each  branch  of  the  creek,  but  these 
are  little  used  at  present.     Sandy  Creek  is  a  lawful  port. 

The  fisheries  in  Mexico  bay,  and  in  front  of  this  town,  have 
within  a  few  years  assumed  much  importance,  and  recently  gill 
nets  have  been  introduced  and  used,  at  great  distances  from  the 
shore  in  deep  water.  It  *vas  found  that  the  placing  of  these  before 
the  mouth  of  streams  injured  the  fisheries,  and  the  subject  was 
made  a  matter  of  complaint  to  the  board  of  supervisors  at  their 
session  in  1852,  who  passed  an  act  by  which  it  was  forbidden  to 
place  seines  or  nets  across,  or  in  the  waters  of  Skinner  CreeV, 
and  the  north  and  south  branches  of  Big  Sandy  in  Ellisburgh,  or 
within  80  rods  of  the  mouth  of  either,  under  a  penalty  of  $50. 

The  Ellisburgh  Union  Library  was  formed^February  16, 1813, 
Caleb  Ellis,  Brooks  Harrington,  Oliver  Scott,  Shubeal  Lyman 
and  Isaac  Burr,  were  elected  the  first  trustees.  Like  most  others 
of  the  class,  this  has  been  abandoned. 

Religious  Societies. — The  Baptists  were  the  first  to  effect  an 
organization  in  town.  Before  the  formatioii  of  the  present  church 
of  this  order  at  Belleville,  a  few  persons  had  been  gathered  by 
Elders  Colwell  and  Littlefield,  and  adopted  a  covenant  and  art- 
icles of  faith,  with  which  Elder  L.  and  some  others  were  dis- 
satisfied, and  which  a  council  of  brethren  from  neighboring 
churches  decided  to  be  contrary  to  the  faith  of  the  Baptists  church. 
They  were  accordingly  disbanded,  and  Elder  L.  having  died, 
there  was  for  some  time  no  ministry  of  this  order.  About  1807, 
Joshua  Freeman,  then  a  young  man,  and  one  who  has  since  been 
prominently  connected  with  churches  of  this  order  in  the  county, 
feeling  that  something  should  be  done  towards  reviving  a  church, 
with  another  young  man,  named  Amos  Noyes,  commenced  hold- 
ing meetings  at  Belleville.  In  this  they  had  the  cordial  sympathies 
and  aid  of  many,  among  others  of  Deacon  Edward  Barney.  The 
previous  covenant  was  modified  to  suit  their  views  of  gospel 
truth,  and  signed  by  eleven  persons,  who  were  soon  joined  by 
others,  and  August  22,  1807,  a  council  called  for  the  purpose, 
gave  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  as  a  regular  Baptist 


■From 


EUisburgh. 


163 


cliurch.  They  enjoyed  only  occasiorial  preaching  till  1810,  when 
Martin  E.  Cook,  a  licentiate,  was  called  to  the  care  of  the  church. 
He  was  afterwards  ordained,  and  (wilh  an  interval  of  two  years, 
in  which  Elder  Bradley  was  employed)  continued  to  labor  in  the 
ministry,  with  great  acceptance,  during  twenty-lour  years.  Since 
then  the  following  ministers  have  served  as  pastors  at  different 
periods:  Daniel  D.  Reed,  Abner  Webb,  Joel  H.  Green,  A  Webb 
(2d  time),  John  F.  Bishop,  and  the  present  pastor,  David  Mc- 
Farland.  The  present  number  of  the  church  is  260.  Several 
seasons  of  religious  awakening  have  occurred  in  this  church, 
and  many  have  gone  out  from  them  to  the  labor  of  the  ministry. 
No  serious  divisions  have  occurred,  and  its  history  presents  a 
scene  of  almost  continual  prosperity.* 

In  1819,  a  union  meeting  house  was  erected  at  Belleville,  cost- 
ing about  $3,300,  but  the  society  never  perfected  its  organiza- 
tion, which  led  to  litigation.  In  March,  1829,  the  building  was 
burned.  A  Baptist  society  had  been  formed  December  4,  1821, 
with  Matthew  Green,  Renjamin  Barney  and  JoLn  Barney,  2d, 
trustees.  In  1831  the  present  Baptist  Church  at  this  place  was 
built,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,400. 

The  Baptist  society  of  Woodville,  was  formed  Jan.  27,  1825, 
with  Ebenezer  Wood,  Oliver  Scott,  Amaziah  Fillmore,  Pedro 
Scott,  Wm.  Ellsworth  and  Abijah  Jenkins,  trustees.  The  church 
was  formed  by  the  Rev.  Asa  Averill,  since  whom  Peleg  Card, 

Buckley,   W.  B.  Downer,  L.  Rice  and   others  have  been 

employed.  The  society  has  a  liouse  of  worship.  The  Baptist 
ohurch  of  Mannsville  was  formed  about  1831,  by  the  union  of 
one  in  Lorraine,  and  one  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  The  lat- 
ter, styled  the  2d  Baptized  Church  of  EUisburgh,  was  formed 
Oct.  8-13,  1817,  under  Elder  Timothy  Brewster,  assisted  by 
Elders  Emery  Osgood,  of  Henderson,  Matthew  W^ilkie,  of  Wilna, 
Martin  E.  Cook,  of  EUisburgh,  and  Elisha  Moronn  of  Rutland. 
In  1833,  this  sect  with  the  Congregationalists,  i  cted  their  pre- 
sent place  of  v.orship  at  a  cost  of  $1600. 

The  First  Congregational  Church  of  I^llisburgh,  was  formed  by 
David  M.  Dixon,  and  Oliver  Leavitt,  Jan.  1, 18 17,  of  six  members. 
The  Rev.  J.  A.  Clayton  was  employed  soon  after,  and  was  <he 
oniy  settled  pastor.  He  v  as  installed  Nov.  9,  1826.  He  had 
several  successors.  On  the  lllh  of  No»  1823,  a  society  wns 
formed,  of  which  the  trustees  were  AmosiAudson,  Iliram  Tayh  •, 
Daniel  Wardwell,  John  Otis,  Wm.  T.  Fisk,  and  Wm.  Cole.  A 
church  edifice  was  erected,  but  the  organization  became  reduced, 
and  was  finally  given  up  in  the  summer  of  1844,  having  numbered 
143  members.  The  church  has  been  for  some  time  private  prop- 
erty, and  in  1843  was  taken  down. 

*Frotn  materials  kindly  furnished  by  <V.  L.  Cook,  the  present  clerk. 


A  mt 


li  WM 


.'  w 


161 


EUisburgh. 


The  Congregational  Church  of  Woodville  ^ar  forined  ?Tov.  52, 
and  a  society  Dec.  14,  1836,  of  "which  Ebt  riczer  Woo  1,  Oliver 
Batchelor,  ariii  Win.  Gray  were  trustees.  A  unifi;  house  had  been 
erected  and  partly  finished  previously;  in  1S'J7  it  .•  istakon  dowo 
and  a  Ii  ick  church  erected,  at  a  cost  of  aboiU  $1,100.  Rev.  Chut, 
B.  Pond  became  the  first  pastor,  an!  was  ii  ifalleci  v'an.  i;  *.  W4d 
In  4  years  Elisha  P.  Cook  f»-icceedeJ,  since  'vhom  David  Powcii, 
J.  Burchard,  Fieilerick  Hf-S^Td,  and  —  Smith  have  been  em- 
ployed, of  whom  Mv.  Helait!  was  installed  pastor. 

The  Second  Congregational  Church  andsociity  of  Ellisburg' 
wns  reorganized  at  Mannsviiie,  Aug.  IS,  1834,  Wiih  Husweii 
Kecney,  Benjamin  I'.  GreneJl,  an*!  Dutiiel  Wardweil,  tJiiKtees. 
Tht  early  records  of  this  church  hp.ve  'j«en  burnti   t'    r  own  an 
Uiierest  ja  the  mteting  house  at  Mannsviiie. 

Ti  e  First  P.  i^sbyterian  Society  in  the  town  of  EUisburgh  was 
roru:>;.!  Aug.  i>S,  1820,  and  elected  Nathan  Barden,  Isaac  Burr, 
Vv"'  •  T.  Fisk,  Amos  Hudson,  Liberty  Bates,  and  Royce  March, 
t.ri<&  ees.  In.  1830  it  was  reorganized  and  the  same  year  erected 
in  BelieviUe,  a  meeting  house,  at  a  cost  of  about  $500.  A  church 
organization  was  formed  at  the  house  of  Nathan  Barden,  Dec. 
18,  1829,  by  the  Rev  Jedediah  Burch.nd,  of  five  males  and  six 
females,  and  on  the  11th  of  Feb.  1830,  it  united  with  the  Water- 
town  Presbytery.  The  successors  of  Mr.  Burchard  have  been 
—  Spencer,  J.  Burchard,  (2nd  time),  O.  Parker,  C.  B.  Pond,  C.  W. 
Baker,  S.  Cole,  J.  A.  Canfield,  Ingersoll,  J.  Carlisle,  and  at 
present  J.  Burchard.  The  society  is  now  erecting  a  new  church 
edifice  at  a  cost,  besides  the  lot,  of  about  $2,800. 

The  Universalist  Church  of  EUisburgh  was  formed  Aug.  26, 
1821,  with  19  members;  the  present  number  is  50.  The  persons 
chiedy  instruraental  in  forming  it,  were  Isaac  Mendall,  Silas 
Emerson,  John  Clark,  and  Rev.  Cornelius  G.  Persons.  The  clergy 
have  been  C.  G.  Persons,  Chas.  B.Brown,  Oliver  Wilcox,  Luther 
Rice,  Pitt  Morse,  and  Alfred  Peck.  The  society  was  formed  Sept. 
2,  1S33,  with  J.  Mendall,  Edmund  M.  Eldridge,  Daniel  Stearns, 
Edmund  Palmer,  and  Richard  Cheever,  trustees.  A  Charcu  was 
erected  at  Ellis  Village  in  1843,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500. 

Zion  CAwrc/i  (Episcopal),  at  Pierrepont  Manor,  was  legally 
organized  Jan.  4,  1836;  Amos  C.  Tread  way  being  at  the  time 
rector.  William  C.  Pierrepont,  and  Thomas  Warren  were  chosen 
church  wardens,  and  Thomas  BJenking,  r.,  Cornelius  M.  Tabor, 
Jason  Marsh,  Harvey  Allen,  Pardon  Err  homasE.  Williamson, 
Robert  Myrick,  and  John  Allen  were  el 
hao  '  -'.n  erected  the  summer  j ;.  vio 
cos  :  $3,000,  which  was  cor  r:: 
reciors  have  been  the  Rev.  Me  .  .  a, 
Watkins,  Josiah  E.  Bartlet,  and  ?1 '.. 


'estrymen.  A  church 

-7  Mr.  Pierrepont,  at  a 

(  Aug.  16,  1836.    The 

'..  C.  Tread  way,  Nathaniel 

Ellsworth. 


oJdof 
half  to 
bountie 
offered 
This 
York,  0 
smd  froi 


^'':^ 


Henderson. 


165 


The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  in  Ellisburgh  Village  was 
formed  March  5, 1832,  with  Oliver  N.  Snow,  Benj.  Charaberlin, 
Lyman  Ellis,  Jeremiah  Lewis,  and  Hiram  Mosley,  trustees.  In 
1833  they  built  a  church,  which  in  1850  was  removed,  repaired, 
and  a  steeple  added.     In  1836  a  parsonage  was  built. 

The  First  Episcopal  Methodist  Church  and  Society  in  Belleville 
was  formed  May  5,  1841,  having  Edward  Boomer,  Elias  Dickin- 
son, Thomas  Ellis,  Edward  B.  Hawes,  Jesse  Hubbard,  Riley 
ChRmberlain,  Hail  W.  Baxter,  Nelson  Boomer,  and  John  11. 
Hawes,  trustees.  They  have  a  house  of  worship,  and  have  been 
twice  reorganized. 

Henderson. 

This  town  comprises  number  six  of  the  eleven  towns,  and  is 
the  most  westerly  in  the  county,  if  we  except  the  Galloo  and 
Stony  islands,  which  belong  to  Houndsfield.  It  was  formed 
with  its  present  limits,  February  17th,  1806,  from  Ellisburgh. 

The  first  town  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Reuben 
Putnam,  March  11th,  1806,  at  which  Jesse  Hopkins  was  chosen 
supervisor^  Mark  Hopkins  clerk,  Lodowick  Salisbury,  Daniel 
Spencer,  and  Emory  Osgood,  assessors,  Elijah  Williams,  consta- 
ble and  collector,  John  B.  Carpenter,  Samuel  Hubbard,  poor 
masters,  Marval  Danly,  Asa  Smith  and  Anthony  Sprague, 
commissioners  highways,  George  W.  Clark,  Willes  Fellows, 
and  Jedediah  McCumber,  fence  viewers,  Reuben  Putnam, 
pound  master,  Israel  Thomas,  James  Barney^  Levi  Scofield, 
Thomas  Drury,  Calvin  Bishop,  Robert  Farrel,  Benjamin  Barney, 
John  B.  Carpenter,  William  White,  Simeon  Porter, pa/A  masters. 

Supervisors,  1806-10,  Jesse  Hopkins;  1811,  James  Hender- 
son, Jr.j  1812,  Asa  Smith;  1813,  Mark  Hopkins;  1814-5,  Asa 
Smith;  1816,  Maik  Hopkins;  1817,  John  S.  Porter;  1818, 
Nouh  Tubbs;  1819,  Asa  Smith;  1820-4,  Noah  Tubbs;  1825-6, 
Caleb  Harris;  1827,  Jonathan  Bullard;  1828-31,  Caleb  Harris; 
1832,  Peter  N.  Cushman;  1833-4,  Caleb  Harris;  1835-7,  Peter 
N.  Cushman;  1838-40,  David  Montague;  1841,  George  Jeffers; 
1842-3,  John  Carpenter,  1844,  Joseph  A.  Montague;  1845, 
William  McNeil;  1846-51,  Henry  Green,  Jr.;  1852  Washing- 
ton Bullard;  1853,  H.  Green,  Jr. 

1811-12,  v  jted  that  Canada  thistles  shall  be  moT/ved  in  the 
oJd  of  ihe  moon,  in  June,  July,  and  i^ugust.  Penalty  $5,  one 
half  to  the  co.i?  ^lainant,  one  half  to  the  overseers  of  poor.  Wolf 
bounties  of  $10  in  1807,  t  1S15  except  in  1809,  when  $5  were 
offered  for  wolves,  wild  ccLs  and  panthers. 

This  town  fell  to  the  share  of  William  Henderson  of  New 
York,  one  of  the  four  who  bought  the  eleven  towns  of  Constable, 
and  from  him  it  derived  its  name.    He  was  accustomed  to  spend 


^'^\ 


: 


m 


i 


^';  f 


i66 


Hendergon. 


a  part  of  each  summer  here  for  severnl  years,  and  remained  in- 
terested in  the  title  of  the  town  till  his  death. 

There  was  an  ancient  portage  from  the  head  of  Henderson 
Bay  to  Stony  Creek  across  this  town,  b^  which  the  exposure  of 
passing  Stony  Point,  which  ibrms  a  cape  difficult  to  navigate 
with  small  boats,  was  avoided.  At  the  head  of  the  bay,  there  is 
said  to  be  a  trace,  thought  to  be  the  remains  of  a  kind  of  wharf 
or  landing.  The  evidences  of  aboriginal  occupation  were  no- 
ticed at  one  or  two  places  in  this  town,  and  near  an  ancient 
trench  enclosure  there  is  said  to  have  been  found  a  golden  cross, 
about  two  inches  long,  and  furnished  with  a  ring  to  be  worn  on 
the  n«^ck.  In  our  first  chapter  we  have  noticed  the  trace  of  a 
stockade,  supposed  to  have  been  built  by  the 
French.  The  figure  in  the  margin  represents  a 
plan  and  section  of  this  fort.  This  trace  oc- 
curs on  Six  Town  Point,  so  named  from  its 
being  a  part  of  township  No.  6,  which  extends 
in  a  narrow  penihsula,  that  in  high  water  be- 
comes an  island,  more  than  two  miles  into  the 
bay,  and  forms  in  the  rear  a  harbor,  which  for  extent,  safety, 
and  facility  of  access,  has  not  its  superior  on  the  lake.  This 
circumstance  gave  value  to  the  township,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
early  proprietors,  and  had  a  beginning  been  properly  made  and 
directed  with  suitable  energy,  the  place  might  at  this  time  have 
been  an  important  commercial  point. 

The  town  was  surveyed  into  lots,  in  1801,  by  Benjamin 
Wright  of  Rome,  the  plan  of  subdivision  being  similar  to  that 
of  Adams,  into  lots  and  quarters.    In  1805,  lot  No.  20,  near  the 

{)resent  village  of  Henderson  Harbor,  was  sun^eyed  into  twenty 
ols,  or  four  ranges,  often  lots  each,  for  the  purpose  of  a  village. 
The  town  of  Henderson  began  to  settle  under  the  agency  of 
Asher  Miller,  of  Rutland,  about  1802,  the  land  books  showing 
that  Thomas  Clark,  Samuel  Stewart,  Philip  Crumett,  John 
Stafiford,  and  Peter  Cramer,  had  taken  up  lands  in  this  town,  to 
the  extent  of  1,195  acres,  on  the  26th  of  October  previous. 
Moses  Barret,  William  Petty,  Daniel  Spencer,  Capt.  John  Bishop 
and  sons,  Calvin,*  Luther,  Asa  and  Sylvester,  Jedediah  and 
James  McCumber,  Samuel  Hubbard,!  Elijah  Williams,  Levi 
Scofield,  William  Johnson,  David  Bronson,  John  and  Marvel 
Danley,  Andrew  Darymple,  Luman  Peck,  Jonathan  Crapo, 
George  W.  Clark,  Thomas  Drury,  Anthony  Sprague,  Daniel 
Forbes,  Emory  Osgood  and  many  others,  whose  names  were  not 
procured,  settled  within  two  or  three  years  from  the  opening  of 
settlement,  being  mostly  emigrants  from  New  England. 

*  Died  January  24th,  18S0.  aged  68. 
t  Died  July  Uth,  1843,  aged  83. 


Naples, 


*Dr.  B. 


m. 


Henderaon. 


167 


On  Henderson  Bay,  three  miles  east  of  the  little  village  of 
Henderson  Harbor,  a  Scotch  settlement  was  formed  in  1803-7, 
by  John  and  Duncan  Drummond,  Charles  and  Peter  Barrie, 
Duncan  Campbell,  Thomas  Bell,  James  Crawe,  Daniel  Scott, 
and  John  McCraull,  from  Perthshire  in  Scotland.  A  store  was 
opened  by  C.  Barrie  in  1823,  in  this  settlement,  and  kept  several 
years.     Abel  Shepard  located  in  the  same  settlement  in  1806. 

The  first  physician  who  settled  in  town  was  Eiias  Skinner,  and 
the  second  Daniel  Barney,*  the  latter  having  settled  in  1807. 
Alfred  Forbes  is  said  to  have  taught  the  first  school  in  the  winter 
of  1808-9. 

A  paper  before  us,  showing  the  balance  due  from  settlers  in 
this  town,  Jan.  1,  1809,  contains  the  following  names  of  those 
who  were  living  in  town,  at  that  time:  A.  J<mes,  R.  Favel, 
Jeremiah  Harris,  Horace  Heath,  Samuel  McNitt,  Amos  Hart, 
Daniel  Hardy,  Benj.  Hammond,  Samuel  Jones,  Daniel  McNeil, 
Martin  T.  Morseman,  Appleton  Skinner,  Asa  and  Ira  Smith, 
Samuel  Foster,  Wra.  Waring,  Wm.  White,  Daniel  Pierce,  John 
B.  Carpenter,  Luther  S.  KuUinger,  Lodowick  Salisbury,  T. 
Hunsden,  W.  White  and  Thomas  Bull,  who  owed  an  aggre- 
gate of  $17,734*87,  for  lands.  Dr.  Isaac  Bronson  became  an 
owner  of  a  large  tract  in  1807,  which  was  sold  and  settled  by  a 
separate  agency,  Abel  French  succeeded  Miller,  a  few  r  jnths, 
in  the  agency,  and  April  8,  ISf'I,  an  agreement  was  made 
between  Wm.  Henderson  and  Jesse  Hopkins,  by  which  the  laiiti 
became  the  agent  of  this  town  and  Pinckney,  nnd  continued  in 
the  employment  of  Mr.  Henderson  many  years.  Some  difficulty 
growing  out  of  the  agency,  led  to  the  publication  of  a  pamphlet 
by  Mr.  Hopkins  in  1823,  which  affords  some  interesting  data 
relative  to  the  early  history  of  the  town. 

In  1803-4,  but  ten  families  wintered  in  town.  In  May,  18G6, 
there  were  seventy  fanailies,  generally  middle  aged  and  young 
people,  with  small  property,  but  industrious  and  contented, 
although  many  were  quite  poor,  who  had  exhausted  their  means 
in  getting  into  the  town,  and  were  destitute  of  provisions.  A 
contract  was  made  soon  after  for  clearing  twenty -five  ■  i>f 
lands  at  the  harbor,  which  the  proprietor  had  hoped  to  establish 
as  a  commercial  port,  and  caused  to  be  surveyed  into  a  village 
plot  to  which  he  gave  the  name  of  JYaples. 

The  bay,  which  is  unsurpassed  for  beauty,  as  it  is  unrivaled 
for  safety  and  convenience  of  access,  was  named  the  Bay  of 
Naples,  and  high  expectations  were  founded  upon  the  future 
grr a."  ^ss  of  this  port.  On  the  declaration  of  war,  Sacksts  Har- 
u  >      is  selected  as  the  great  naval  station  of  the  lake,  and  both 


*Dr.  B.died  May  19,  1828. 


168 


Henderson. 


Mr.  Henderson  and  his  agent,  were,  it  is  said,  being  opposed 
to  that  in.  '. ,  .'.  ../Tse  to  having  any  military  or  naval  operations 
undt'ff  ken  *. ,  m  i ,  place.  It  iu  consequence  lost  the  opportunity 
which  wiUi  judicious  management  and  decided  natural  advan- 
tai^i^j,  it  might  have  been  secured  of  being  a  place  of  im;iortance. 

Mr.  Hopkins  built  a  house  and  opened  a  land  office  near  the 
town  of  Naples,  which  he  had  laid  out,  the  provisions  used  for 
his  laborers  being  brought  from  Kingston,  and  the  lumber  from 
Ellisburgh  and  Sacknts  '^"•'  ■"•.  In  1807,  a  small  store  was 
opened,  and  several  unsuccessful  att.  .ipts  were  made  to  bring 
business  to  the  place.  Among  other  measures,  Mr.  Henderson 
procured  the  passage  of  a  law  for  the  opening  of  a  State  Road 
from  Lowville  to  Henderson  Harbor,  uhich  was  laid  out  from 
Lowville  into  Pinckney,  but  never  completed.  He  also  in  1809, 
caused  a  dam  and  saw  mill  to  be  built  on  Stony  Creek,  near  the 
head  of  navigation,  but  the  former  gave  way  and  the  enterprise 
resulted  in  a  total  loss.  In  the  next  season  the  dam  was  rebuilt, 
and  a  mill  erected  at  great  expense.  In  1811,  a  negotiation 
was  held  with  General  Matoon,  of  Massachusetts,  for  the  sale  of 
the  township,  but  failed  on  account  of  the  prospects  of  war.  In 
1812,  Mr.  Hopkins  erected  a  large  sized  school  house  at  the 
harbor,  which  was  to  serve  also  as  a  place  for  religious  meetings. 
He  also  commenced  the  building  of  vessels  at  iL  j  place,  the  fust 
of  which  was  a  schooner  of  twenty  tons.  Several  large  clear- 
iufjjs  were  made  on  account  of  Henderson,  the  year  previous.  In 
the  year  1814,  a  second  vessel,  of  forty  tons,  and  soon  after  two 
others  were  built,  and  thf  iace  began  to  present  the  appearance 
of  considerable  !  '":•  less.  Mr.  Hopkins  continued  in  the  agency 
until  1822,  engaj^ed  with  varied  success  in  a  series  of  specula- 
tions, some  of  which  were  successful  and  some  very  unfortunate, 
whi' ),  havi*  jT  fallen  nsiderably  in  arrears,  he  was  superseded  in 
the  agency,  and  his  ii  iprovements  taken  to  apply  on  his  liabilities. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1814,  an  association  styled  the  Henderson 
Woolro  Manufacturing  Company,  was  formed,  having  Allen 
Kilby,  Hezekiah  Doc.iitle,  Josepli  Dickey,  Tilley  F.  Smead  and 
Chester  Norton,  its  first  trustees.  This  company  never  went  into 
operation,  but  organ 'zm]  and  expendeu  a  considerable  sura  in 
improvements. 

Henderscn  '  'ge  sometimes  called  Salisbury's  Mills,  from 
Lodowick  Sali.-  <.,.y,  prominent  citizen  at  an  early  day,  is  situ- 
ated in  the  vawey  oi  Stony  Creek,  and  mostly  on  the  south 
bank,  3^  miles  from  its  mouth.  It  has  three  stores,  an  inn,  two 
tanneries,  a  saw  mill,  a  grist  mill,  a  small  woolen  factory,  most 
kinds  of  mechanic  shops,  and  about  sixty  families.  It  has 
churches  of  the  Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Universalist  orders. 

Henderson  Harbor  is  a  place  one  and  a  half  miles  distant  from 


"Jg,  whi 
down,  a 
same  cJe 

The 
J824,  bj 
niales. 
i-awrenc 
J-  Ingerd 
J^oane, 
Turner,  J 
one-halff 
^829  the! 
so  remaiiT 


Henderfon. 


169 


Henderson  Village,  has  less  business  than  formerly,  and  consists  of 
about  a  dozen  houses.  The  shore  here  rises  by  a  gentle  slope  to 
a  spacious  plain,  and  the  prospect  presented  by  the  bay  and 
islands,  is  one  of  romantic  interest. 

Near  the  mouth  of  Stony  Creek,  at  the  head  of  navigation, 
are  mills,  and  two  or  three  vessels  have  been  built  here.  On 
Stony  Point,  a  light  has  been  maintained  since  1837,  an  appro- 
priation of  $3000  having  been  made  for  its  erection  on  the  3d  of 
March  in  that  year. 

The  Henderson  Social  Library ^  was  formed  Feb.  9,  1819,  of 
which,  Percival  Bullard,  Peter  N.  Cushman,  Chester  Nort  n, 
Rufus  Hatch,  Thomas  Fobes,  Allen  Kilbey,  and  Elijah  W  illiams, 
were  elected  the  first  trustees. 

Jidigious  Societies. — The  first  Baptist  Church  of  Henderson, 
was  formed  June  "H,  1806,  at  the  house  of  Merril  Danly  by 
Emory  Osgood,  who  officiated  as  pastor  till  Sept.  11,  1823.  In 
October  1818,  the  members  being  scattered,  a  new  church  was 
formed  from  this,  the  parent  body  being  the  same  that  now  wor- 
ships at  Smithville,  and  the  colony  that  of  Henderson  Village. 
The  first  Baptist  society  of  Smithville  was  formed  Septembei  9, 

1823,  with  Henry  Keith,  Austin  Robbins,  and  Ebenezer  Sumner, 
trustees.  This  society  in  concert  with  the  Congregationlists  in 
1  >32,  erected  a  stone  church  at  Smithville,  forty  four  by  sixty 
feet,  at  a  cost  of  about  $3000.  It  is  still  owned  in  equal  shares 
by  the  two  societies.  The  clergy  employed  since  Mr.  Osgood 
have  been.  Elders  Elisha  Morgan,  Jesse  Elliott,  Norman  Chase, 
J.  N.  Webb,  Daniel  D.  Reed,  Eliiha  Sawyer,  Henry  Ward,  Joshua 
Freeman,  and  Amasa  Heath. 

The  First  Baptist  society,  of  Henderson,  was  formed  June  5, 
182J ,  with  Samuel  Cole,  Shuball  Athiston,  and  Araasa  Brown, 
trustees.  In  1824,  this  society,  assisted  by  the  masonic  fraternity, 
erected  a  church,  the  latter  usinjr  the  second  story  as  a  lodge 
room.  They  sold  their  interest  about  1832.  In  1853,  this  build- 
ing, which  stood  a  little  south  of  Henderson  Village,  was  taken 
down,  and  a  new  one  erected  near  the  centre  of  the  village.  The 
same  clergy  have  generally  been  employed  here-  as  at  Smithville. 

The  Smithville  Congregational  church  was  formed  January  3, 

1824,  by  Rev.  Abel  L.  Craulall,  of  ten  males,  twenty-two  fe- 
males. March  15,  1824,  the  church  resolved  to  unite  with  the  St. 
Lawrence  Presb)  tery,on  the  accommodation  plan.  Rev.  Messrs. 
J.  IngersoU,  D.  Spear,  L.  A.  Sawyer,  J.  Covert,  A.  Putnam,  H. 
Doane,  George  J.  King,  Charles  Halsey,  L.  M.  Shepard,  George 
Turner,  and  Henry  Budge,  have  since  been  employed,  mostly 
one-half  of  the  time,  the  remainder  being  at  North  Adams.  In 
1829  the  church  joined  the  Black  River  Association,  and  has  since 
so  remained.    i\i<>etings  were  held  in  a  school  house,  built  with 

12 


170 


IlenderiKm. 


r     V 


the  view  of  holding  meetings,  until  the  present  church  was  built. 
The  Congregational  Society  of  Smithville  was  Ibrmed  Septenn- 
ber  16,  1823,  having  William  Gilbert,  Joseph  T.  French,  anil 
Daniel  McNeil,  trustees,  who  united  with  the  Baptists  in  erect- 
ing a  church  as  above  stated. 

The  Presbyterians,  about  1820,  erected  a  small  church  in 
Henderson  Village,  that  has  been  for  many  years  taken  down, 
and  they  have  no  place  of  worship  at  present,  in  town.  A  soci- 
ety was  formed  on  the  28th  of  October,  1819,  with  Adonijah 
Wheaton,  Ralph  French,  and  .Jesse  Hopkins,  trustees. 

The  Methodists  tirst  organized  a  society  in  this  town  July  29, 
1830,  with  Beebee  Smith,  Cyrus  Hall,  Amos  White,  Joseph  J. 
Hatch  and  Calvin  Bishop,  trustees.  The  first  society  at  the  vil- 
lage of  Henderson  was  formed  April  9,  1844,  with  Harvey  Crit- 
tenden, Amos  White  and  Sylvanus  Ward,  trustees.  The  Metho- 
dists have  two  churches  in  town,  one  on  Bishop  Street,  and  one 
in  the  village,  erected  by  the  above  societies  respectively. 

The  First  Universal  ist  Society  of  Henderson  was  formed  Janu- 
ary 13,  1823,  with  John  S.  Porter,  Roswell  Davis,  and  Amasa 
Hungerford,  trustees.  The  Henderson  Universalist  Charitable 
Society  had  been  formed  February  5,  1819,  of  thirteen  members, 
but  not  legally  perfected  till  four  years.  In  1839  a  church  40 
by  60  feet  was  erected  in  the  village,  at  a  cost  of  $3,000,  and 
dedicated  in  December,  1839.  On  the  9th  of  March,  1822,  a 
church  organization  was  effected  by  Rev.  Pitt  Morse,  of  nine- 
teen members.  The  clergy  since  employed  have  been  P.  Morse, 
C.  G.  Person,  Seth  Jones,  P.  Morse,  L.  Rice,  and  Alfred  Peck. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1825,  a  society  of  the  JSTew  Jeru- 
salem  (commonly  called  Sweden borgian),  was  formed  in  Ellis- 
burgh,  at  Brewster's  school  house,  of  thirteen  members,  in  that 
town  and  Henderson,  but  mostly  in  the  latter.  Rev.  Holland 
Weeks,  formerly  a  Congregational  minister,  of  Abington,  Mass., 
who  came  into  Henderson  to  reside  in  1821,  and  who  soon  be- 
gan to  hold  meetings  in  school  houses,  was  the  promulgator  of 
these  doctrines  in  town,  and  preached  gratuitously  for  many 
years.  The  meetings  of  the  new  church  were  kept  up  regularly 
by  him,  till  near  his  death,  at  the  school  house  in  Henderson 
Village,  and  are  still  more  or  less  regularly  held,  as  reading 
meetings.  The  greatest  number  of  members  has  been  between 
thirty  and  forty;  present  number  seventeen.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Weeks 
died  in  town  July  24,  1843,  aged  75  years.  The  first  members 
of  the  New  Jerusalem  in  this  town  were  Holland  Weeks,  Joseph 
Dickey,  Moses  J.  Morseman,  Edward  Leslie,  Jeremiah  Sias, 
Charles  Stearns,  Jr.,  John  Burt  Blanchard,  Lucy  Ann  Blanchard, 
Alvin  Wood,  Lydia  Wood,  Ann  H.  Adams,  Hannah  M.  Good- 
ale,  and  Harriet  A.  W^eeks. 


This  tov 
from  Wat, 
being  held 
A  propo 
town  and  j 
signed  to 
7,  and  ann( 
special  mee 
consideratic 
the  division 
the  erection 
the  next  sej 
since  chang, 
At  the  fin 
at  the  house 
house  of  J( 
was  chosen 
William  Bal 
Ambrose  Pe 
Wilder,  Johi 
collector}  J. 
Supervisor 
ing),  Elisha 
1820-23,  E. 
(special  meet 
Hall,  Jr.;  182 
Newell,  Jr.; 
Augustus  For 
1851,  Samue 
Camp. 

1806.  *'Re 
hunt  any  wol 
such  wolf  or  I 
bounty." 

"  Resolved, 
attend  a  gene 
candidate  for 
Hinman,  Augi 
At  a  special 
A.  Sacket,  Joj 
represent  the  \ 
at  Watertown,! 
of  the  county,  f 
influences  that 


Hmtnd^eld. 


171 


HoUNDSriELD. 

This  township,  or  No.  1,  of  the  Black  River  Tract,  was  formed 
from  Watertown,  February  17,  1806,  the  first  town  meeting 
being  held  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Landon. 

A  proposition  for  the  formation  of  a  new  town  from  Water- 
town  and  Adams  had  been  previously  discussed,  which  was  de- 
signed to  take  three  ranges  of  lots  from  the  north  side  of  No. 
7,  and  annex  to  No.  1,  the  new  town  to  be  called  JVemport.  A 
special  meeting  was  called  in  Adams,  to  take  the  matter  under 
consideration,  on  the  10th  of  November,  1803,  and  avote  against 
the  division  was  passed,  but  the  meeting  united  in  a  petition  for 
the  erection  of  No.  8  into  a  separate  town,  which  was  done  at 
the  next  session  of  the  legislature,  under  the  name  of  Harrison, 
since  changed  to  Rodman. 

At  the  first  town  meeting  held  by  notification  of  Araasa  Fox, 
at  the  house  of  Ambrose  Pease  and  from  thence  adjourned  to  the 
house  of  Joseph  Landon,  March  4,  1806,  Augustus  Sacket 
was  chosen  supervisor;  William  Waring,  clerk;  Amasa  Fox, 
William  Baker,  Samuel  Bates,  Jr.,  Theron  Hinman,  assessors; 
Ambrose  Pease,  Robert  Robbins,  com'rs  highways;  Jotham 
Wilder,  John  Patrick,  overseers  of  poor;  Jeremiah  Goodrich, 
collector;  J.  Goodrich,  Wm.  Galloway,  John  Root,  constables. 

Supervisors. — 1806-8,  Augustus  Sacket;  1808  (special  meet- 
ing), Elisha  Carap;  1809-18,  E.  Camp;  1819,  Hiram  Steele; 
1820-23,  E.  Camp;  1824,  Daniel  Hall,  Jr.;  1825,  E.  Camp; 
(special  meeting  to  fill  vacancy),  Wm.  Baker;  1826-27,  Danie' 
Hall,  Jr.;  1828,  E.  Camp;  1829-41,  Daniel  Hall;  1842,  Seth  P. 
Newell,  Jr.;  1843,  Benjamin  Maxon;  1844,  D.  Hall;  1846, 
Augustus  Ford;  1846-47,  B.  Maxon;  1848-50,  Jesse  C.  Dann; 
1851,  Samuel  T.  Hooker;  1852,  J.  C.  Dann;  1853,  Edgar  B. 
Camp. 

1806.  "Resolved,  Thattheinhabitantsof  this  town,  who  shall 
hunt  any  wolf  or  panther  in  this  town  (though  he  should  kill 
such  wolf  or  panther  in  any  other  town),  shall  be  entitled  to  $10 
bounty." 

"  Resolved,  That  three  delegates  be  appointed  by  this  town  to 
attend  a  general  meeting  of  the  county  to  nominate  a  suitable 
candidate  for  the  legislature,  at  their  own  expense."  Theron 
Hinman,  Augustus  Sacket,  and  Amasa  Fox,  appointed. 

At  a  special  meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  January  10,  1807, 
A.  Sacket,  John  Patrick  and  Elisha  Camp,  were  chosen  to 
represent  the  town  at  a  meeting  of  delegates  from  other  towns, 
at  Watertown,  to  take  into  consideration  the  military  situation 
of  the  county.  They  were  intrusted  to  protest  against  any  undue 
influences  that  might  be  exercised  in  the  meeting. 


172 


Huundfffield. 


U 


1807.  $10  voted  as  bounty  for  every  wolf  or  panther  which 
shall  be  killed  by  any  inhabitant  of  the  town,  which  wolf,  or 
panther  shall  be  started  by  such  inhabitant  within  this  town.  A 
bounty  of  $25  voted  for  the  greatest  quantity  of  hemp,  above  five 
hundred  weight.     Elisha  Camp  appointed  surveyor  to  the  town. 

1808.  Voted  not  to  accept  the  state  road  as  a  town  road. 
1812.  Canada  thistles  to  be  destroyed,  under  a  penalty  of  $1; 
the  fines  to  go  towards  rewarding  such  as  might  discover  some 
method  of  destroying  them.  "  Resolved,  that  hogs  be  free  com- 
moners, if  yoked,  the  yokes  to  be  24  inches  long  by  15,  and  small 
hogs  in  proportion."  1815.  The  poor  masters  authorized  to 
build  a  poor  house  for  transient  poor,  if  they  thought  necessary. 
1824.  At  a  special  meeting,  voted  against  the  poor  house  system, 
and  a  remonstrance  to  the  legislature  voted.  The  wolf  and  -pan- 
ther bounties  were  continued  till  1816.  In  1822,  1823,  1831,  a 
fox  bounty  of  50  cents  was  offered.  In  1828,  the  highway  com- 
missioners, were  directed  to  offer  as  stock,  the  half  of  the  cost  of 
the  bridge  at  Dexter,  to  the  plank  road  leading  from  thence  to 
Bagg's  Corners,  on  the  W.  &  S.  H.  P.  R.,  and  if  refused,  to  petition 
that  the  bridge  be  made  a  toll  bridge. 

This  town  derives  its  name  from  Ezra  Houndsfield,  a  native  of 
Sheffield,  in  England,  who,  about  1800,  came  to  New  York  as 
agent  for  his  brothers,  John  and  Bartholomew  Houndsfield,  man- 
ufacturers and  merchants  of  Sheffield.  He  engaged  in  the  hard- 
ware trade,  and  in  company  with  Peter  Kimball,  purchased  in 
common  the  south  half  of  township  No.  1,  or  the  present  town  of 
Houndsfield.  This  purchase  was  made  of  Harrison  and  Hoffman, 
March  10,  1801,  and  subsequently  other  and  smaller  purchases 
were  made.  Mr.  Houndsfield  was  a  bachelor,  and  died  in  New 
York,  about  1817.  By  his  will,  dated  April  7,  1812,  he  ap- 
pointed David  A.  Ogden,  Edward  Lynde,  John  Day  and  Thomas 
L.  Ogden,  his  executors,  who  advertised  a  sale  at  auction  of 
the  remaining  interest  of  the  estate  in  town  at  Sackets  Harbor, 
August  1,  1817.  The  executors  bought  in  the  properly  and 
afterwards  conveyed  it  to  Bartholomew,  the  father  of  George 
Houndsfield,  the  present  heir  of  the  family,  living  in  Sheffield. 

The  town  is  said  to  have  been  named  through  the  influence  of 
Mr.  Augustus  Sacket,  who  was  an  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Hounds- 
field.    The  latter  was  accustomed  to  spend  his  summers  in  town. 

From  an  early  period  of  the  purchase,  the  waters  of  Black 
River  Bay  were  regarded  as  an  eligible  place  for  a  commercial 
point,  and  in  a  work  published  in  Paris  in  1801,*  the  follow- 
ing description  of  it  is  given  under  the  name  of  JViahoure. 
"  At  the  bottom  of  this  gulf  Black  River  empties,  forming  a 

*  Voyage  dans  la  Haute  Pensylvanie,  et  dan  E'at  de  New  York,  par  un 
irembre  adoptif  de  la  Nation  Oneida.     \   '    JII,  ri,  soS. 


man  on 
1797,  i 
11,134. 
the  14ti 
of Ihe  a 
$6000 
being  p; 
Tontine 
off  by 
from'Chl 
While  ti 
locationJ 
early  in 
natural  1 
he  hastej 
with  a  fJ 
third  yej 
the  littJel 
Other  pa 
village, 
Fox  is  sa 
Septenib^ 
township] 
and  Houif 
LowviJlei 
Oazetie,f\ 
excellent/ 


!      'ti 


Houndsfield. 


173 


harbor  sheltered  from  the  winds  and  surges  of  tlie  lake,  which, 
during  the  prevalence  of  the  south-west  winds,  roll  like  those 
of  the  ocean.  The  land  on  the  right  or  south  of  this  bay,  is 
extremely  fertile,  and  is  a  grove  more  fresh  than  can  elsewhere 
be  seen.  That  on  the  left,  i.  e.  the  country  that  extends  to  the 
north  of  the  bay  of  Niahoure,  as  far  as  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
east  to  the  Oswegatchie,  is  not  less  fertile,  and  the  colonists 
begin  to  vie  in  settling  it."  This  bay  is  elsewhere  in  the  work 
described  as  comprising  all  the  waters  within  Six  Town  Point, 
and  Point  Peninsula,  which  on  ancient  maps  was  named  La 
Famine,  by  the  French,  and  Hungry  Bay,  by  the  English.  On 
some  maps  this  term  is  applied  to  what  is  now  known  as  Hen- 
derson Bay,  and  in  others  to  Chaumont  Bay.  The  origin  of  the 
name  is  imkown,  unless  perhaps  it  may  have  been  derived  from 
the  misfortunes  of  De  La  Barre  in  1684. 

This  town,  having  been  conveyed  through  Macomb  and  Con- 
stable to  Harrison,  Hoffman,  Low,  and  Henderson,  as  related  in 
our  history  of  the  titles,  fell  to  the  share  of  Harrison  and  Hoff- 
man on  division,  and  the  north  part  was  conveyed  June  13th, 
1797,  for  $58,333-33  to  Champion  and  Storrs,  amounting  to 
ll,134i  acres,*  with  the  town  of  Champion  (25,708  acres).  On 
the  14th  of  November,  1798,  Champion  and  Storrs  sold  a  portion 
of  the  above  to  Loomis  and  Tillinghast,  receiving  two  notes  of 
$6000  each,  which,  with  a  mortgage  upon  the  premises,  not 
being  paid,  the  tract  was  sold  by  a  decree  of  chancery,  at  the 
Tontine  Coffee  House  in  New  York,  June  20th,  1801,  and  bid 
off  by  Augustus  Sacket  of  that  city,  who  received  a  conveyance 
from  Champion,  and  the  assignees  of  Loomis  and  Tillinghast. 
While  the  sale  was  pending,  Mr.  Sacket  having  heard  of  the 
location,  and  inclining  to  engage  in  its  purchase,  made  a  journey 
early  in  1801  to  the  place,  and  was  so  struck  with  the  great 
natural  advantages  for  a  port  which  the  place  presented,  that 
he  hastened  back,  and  having  secured  the  purchase,  returned 
with  a  few  men  to  commence  improvements.  In  the  second  and 
third  year,  he  erected  an  ample  and  convenient  dwelling,  and 
the  little  colony  received  the  accession  of  mechanics  and  others. 
Other  parts  of  the  town  began  to  settle  quite  as  early  as  the 
village,  especially  towards  Biownville,  near  which  place  Amasa 
Fox  is  said  to  have  made  the  first  improvement  in  town.  In 
September,  1802,  a  traveler  reported  about  30  families  living  in 
township  No.  1.  The  south  part  of  the  town,  sold  to  Kemble 
and  Houndsfield,  was  first  placed  in  the  hands  of  Silas  Stow,  of 
LowvUle,  as  agent,  and  in  an  advertisement  in  the  Columbian 
Gazette,f  of  Utica,  June  11th,  1804,  the  land  is  represented  as 
excellent,  and  "the  flourishing  state  of  Mr.  Sacket's  village,  its 


♦  Oneida  Deeds,  6,  32. 


t  Vol.  2.  Nj 


l^^l 


174 


Houndsfield. 


advantages  of  vrater  carriage  and  its  valuable  fishery,  renders  it 
one  of  the  most  inviting  objects  to  an  industrious  settler." 

In  1805,  several  English  families  settled  at  Sackets  Harbor, 
among  >vhom  were  Samuel  Luff,  and  sons,  Edmund,  Samuel, 
Jr.,  Joseph  and  Jesse;  David  Merritt,  William  Ashby,  John 
Roots,  Henry  Metcalf,  and  George  Slowman.  Besides  these, 
John  and  William  Evans,  Squire  Reed,  Amasa  Hollibut,  Charles 
Barrie,  Uriah  Roulison,  Azariah  P.  Sherwin,  and  others.  Dr. 
William  Baker  settled  in  1803,  and  was  the  first  physician. 
Ambrose  Pease,  and  Stephen  Simmons,  were  early  innkeepers, 
and  Loren  Buss,  and  Hezekiab  Doolittle,  merchants.  The 
place  was  at  an  early  day  very  healthy,  and  from  February, 
1805,  till  January,  1809,  it  was  remarkable  that  but  one  case  of 
death  occurred  (except  that  of  infants),  and  this  was  from  an 
accidental  discharge  of  a  pistol  by  one  of  the  men  employed  in 
preventing  intercourse  with  Canada  during  the  embargo.  The 
victim  of  the  accident  was  one  McBride,  who  was  killed  by 
Julius  Torrey,  a  negro,  with  whom  he  had  been  a  companion  for 
several  years  on  a  desolate  island,  in  the  South  Seas,  and  whom 
for  a  long  time  he  had  not  seen,  and  ^he  accident  was  felt  with 
great  severity  by  him.  Late  in  1808,  typhus  fever  began  to 
appear  among  the  citizens  and  a  detachment  of  United  States 
troops,  originating  with  the  latter,  and  of  this  sickness  many 
died. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  1809,  Sacket  conveyed  1700  acres,  the 
present  village  of  Sackets  Harbor,  to  Cornelius  Ray,  William 
Bayard,  and  Michael  Hogan  for  $30,000  Jn  trust,  and  a  few 
days  after  Ezra  Houndsfield,  and  Peter  Kemble,  conveyed  to  the 
same  parties  their  interest  in  the  tract.*  In  a  declaration  of  trust 
subsequently  made,t  the  parties  concerned  in  this  purchase  ap- 
pear to  have  been  C.  Ray,  W\  Bayard,  M.  Hogan,  Herman  Le 
Roy,  James  McEvers,  Joshua  Waddington,  James  Lenox,  Wil- 
liam Maitland,  William  Ogden, McLeod,  Benjainin  W. 

Rogers,  Duncan  P.  Campbell,  Samuel  Boyd,  Abraham  Ogden, 
.  David  A.  Ogden,  and  Thomas  L.  Ogden,  each  owning  ^^gth  part, 
except  D.  A.  &  T.  L.  Ogden,  who  together  owned  a  -/5th  part. 
The  first  three  named  were  trustees  of  the  others,  and  Mr. 
Elisha  Camp,  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Sacket,  who  settled  in 
the  village  in  1804,  and  has  since  remained  a  leading  citizen, 
was  appointed  the  resident  agent,  under  whom  the  estate  was 
sold,  the  last  of  the  business  being  closed  up  about  1848  or  '9. 
As  these  proprietors  were  mostly  extensive  capitalists  of  New 
York,  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  their  influence  was  exerted  in 

*  Jefferson  Deeds,  B.  260,  where  a  map  made  by,  William  Bridge  in  March, 
1800,  is  also  recorded, 
t  lb.  D.  254. 


increas 

almost 

safety 

Ano 

second 

not  fou 

of  a  pj 

one.  T 

of  ever 

credulo 

the  chi 

It  W5 

and  eni 
arouse 
was  dis 
in  itsell 
was  to 


Houndsfield. 


176 


securing  from  the  general  government  some  portion,  at  Jeast,  of 
that  attention  which  this  place  has  received,  during  and  siuoe 
the  war  as  a  military  and  naval  depot,  but  which  can  scarcely 
be  said  to  have  conferred  a  lasting  benefit  upon  it.  The  expend- 
iture of  several  millions  of  dollars  for  labor  and  materials, 
would,  in  the  opinion  of  most  people,  be  sufficient  to  impart  a 
visible  impulse  to  the  prosperity  of  a  place,  but  from  causes 
which  it  might  be  improper  or  foreign  to  our  purpose  to  investi- 
gate, such  has  not  been  the  case  here. 

About  1S07,  there  occurred  in  this  town,  about  6  miles  south 
from  the  harbor  in  the  Price  settlements,  one  of  those  incidents 
peculiar  to  a  new  country,  and  which  seldom  fail  to  exite  the 
sympathies  of  a  whole  community,  whose  common  wants,  and 
mutual  dependence,  lead  to  a  bond  of  union  less  observable  in  an 
old  settled  district.  The  following  sketch  was  written  by  Mr. 
David  Merritt,  one  of  the  English  families,  who  located  here  in 
February,  1805;  the  occasion  was  the  loss  of  a  child  in  the  woods. 

"  The  parents  of  the  child  had  recently  settled  in  the  woods, 
half  a  mile  from  any  other  d  welling.  It  was  of  a  Lord's  day 
evening,  about  sunset;  the  father  set  out  to  visit  his  nearest  neigh- 
bor, and,  unobserved  by  him,  his  son,  a  child  of  four  years,  fol- 
lowed him. 

The  father  tarried  an  hour  or  two,  and  returned,  not  having 
seen  the  little  wanderer.  The  mother  anxiously  enquired  for  her 
child,  supposing  her  husband  had  taken  him  with  him;  their 
anxiety  was  great,  and  immediate  though  fruitless  search  was  made 
for  the  little  fugitive.  Several  of  the  nearest  neighbors  were 
alarmed,  and  the  night  was  spent  to  no  purpose  in  searching  for 
the  child,  On  Monday  a  more  extensive  search  was  made  by 
increased  numbers,  but  in  vain;  and  the  distressed  parents  were 
almost  frantic  with  grief  and  fearful  apprehensions  for  the  child's 
safety. 

Another  aflSictive  and  sleeples.s  night  passed  away,  and  the 
second  morning  beamed  upon  the  disconsolate  family,  the  child 
not  found,  and  by  this  time  (Tuesday),  reports  were  in  circulation 
of  a  panther's  having  been  seen  recently  in  the  woods  by  some 
one.  This  circumstance  gave  a  pungency  to  the  grief  and  feelings 
of  every  sympathetic  heart  unknown  before;  and  the  timid  and 
credulous  were  ready  to  abandon  any  further  efforts  to  recover 
the  child,  and  give  the  distressed  parents  up  to  despair. 

It  was  however  concluded  to  darm  a  stili  more  extensive  circle, 
and  engage  fresh  volunteers  in  a  work  that  must  interest  and 
arouse  even  the  unfeeling  on  common  occasions.  A  messenger 
was  dispatched  to  Sackets  Harbor,  a  distance  of  six  miles;  it  was 
in  itself  an  irresistible  appeal  to  every  feeling  heart.  To  feel, 
was  to  act. 


It 

i 

?3 

11 

■pI 

Ij 

HI'V' 

PSI 

1 

nil, 

1 

H't'i 

1^1^ 

i 

1 

176 


HoundsfieUi. 


■ii  i 


Messrs.  Luff,  Ashby,  Merritt,  and  others  immediately  mounted 
their  horses,  and  repaired  to  the  scene  of  painful  anxiety;  this 
was  about  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  Tuesday.  When 
they  arrived  at  the  spot,  the  number  present,  that  had  collected 
from  all  quarters,  was  about  five  hundred  men.  A  small  number 
was  immediately  chosen  as  a  committee  to  direct  the  best  method 
of  search,  and  they  were  formed  in  a  line,  extending  to  the  right 
and  left  of  the  house,  a  mile  each  way.  They  were  placed  so 
far  apart  as,  for  every  foot  of  ground  they  passed  in  their  search, 
to  come  under  their  observation;  and  when  they  had  marched 
such  a  given  distance  from  the  house,  the  left  or  right  wing  were 
to  wheel  in  such  a  way,  as  would,  by  pursuing  the  same  plan, 
have  efTectually  searched  every  spot  within  several  miles  of  the 
house,  before  evening.  The  order  of  the  day  was,  that  no  person 
should  fire  a  gun,  sound  a  horn,  halloo,  or  make  any  needless 
noise,  whatever;  but  with  vigilance,  and  a  sense  of  duty  to  the 
distressed  parents,  use  every  effort  to  recover  ihi  child.  If  the 
child  was  found  alive,  every  person,  that  had  a  gun,  v.as  to  fire, 
and  every  one  that  has  a  horn  to  sound  it;  on  the  contrary,  if  the 
child  was  found  dead,  one  gun  only  should  be  fired,  as  a  signal 
to  the  remote  line  to  cease  searching. 

In  this  way,  in  silence,  they  had  msrched  about  two  miles, 
when  a  distant  gun  sounded;  it  was  an  'anxious  moment.  "Is  the 
child  alive?"  was  a  thought  that  ran  through  every  mind;  a 
moment  more  and  the  hope  was  confirmed,  for  the  air  and  forests 
rang  with  guns  and  horns  of  every  description. 

The  lines  were  immediately  broken  up,  and  each  ran,  anxious 
to  see  the  little  lost  sheep.  The  dear  little  fellow  was  presented 
to  his  now  overjoyed  parents;  a  scene  that  overcame  all  present. 

When  the  little  boy  was  found,  he  was  sitting  on  a  small 
mossy  hUlock,  in  the  middle  of  a  swamp,  surrounded  by  shallow 
water.  When  the  man,  who  first  approached  him,  extended  his 
arms  and  stooped  to  take  him  up,  he  shrunk  from  him,  appeared 
frightened,  and  shewed  a  disposition  to  get  from  him.  13ut  he 
was  much  exhausted,  and  seized  eagerly  an  apple  that  was  held 
to  him.  Had  he  not  been  rescued  from  his  situation,  he  probably 
would  have  died  at  that  spot." 

The  first  mercantile  operation  ai  Sackefs  Harbor  on  an  extensive 
scale,  was  by  Sarauel  F.  Hooker,  who  in  18US  commenced  with 
a  stock  of  $20,000  worth  of  goods,  and  in  50  days  had  sold 
$17,500  worth.  The  business  that  then  opened  with  the  brightest 
prospects,  was  the  trade  of  potash,  to  Montreal,  where  Astor  and 
other  heavy  capitalists,  had  placed  money  in  the  hands  of  agerits, 
for  its  purchase.  The  embargo  of  1808,  by  withholding  those 
along  our  frontier  from  ^  career  in  which  they  were  highly  pros- 
perous, naturally  led  to  a  spirit  of  evasion  of  the  laws,  and  the 


Houndsfield. 


177 


difficulty  of  exporting  this  great  staple  of  commerce,  directW 
from  the  Atlantic  ports  to  Europe,  led  to  extnisive  and  systemati*, 
measures  for  forwarding  to  the  lake  and  river,  from  the  interior 
and  southern  counties  of  the  state,  and  even  from  Nevir  York, 
large  quantities  of  potash.  This  sometimes  vanished  in  the  night, 
or  was  shipped  with  due  formality  to  Ogdensburgh,  where  it  dis- 
appeared, and  sometimes  an  open  course  of  defiance  of  law  was 
attempted.  In  whatever  way  it  may  have  escaped,  it  was  sure 
of  reappearing  in  Montreal,  where  it  commanded  the  enormous 
suras  of  $200  to  $320  per  ton,  and  from  whence  there  was  no 
obstacle  to  its  export  to  England.  To  check  this  contraband 
trade,  two  companies  of  regulars  were  stationed  at  Ogdensburgh, 
and  Capt.  Wra.  P.  Bennett,  with  a  part  of  a  company  of  artillery, 
and  Lieut.  Cross,  with  a  few  infantry,  was  stationed  here  in  1808 
and  a  part  of  1809. 

On  the  declaration  of  war,  the  United  States  possessed  almost 
no  means,  whatever,  for  defensive  operations  on  this  frontier. 
The  brig  Oneida,  under  Lieutenant  Woolsey,  with  an  armament 
of  16  guns,  a  heavy  36  pound  iron  cannon,  and  a  few  smaller 
ones,  some  of  which  belonged  to  the  state  militia,  constituted  the 
sum  of  our  means  of  defence.  The  British,  it  was  well  known, 
had  been  preparing  for  the  event,  one  or  two  years  at  Kingston, 
and  when  the  news  of  war  arrived,  had  the  means  afloat  at  that 
place,  not  only  of  commanding  the  lake,  but  of  landing  whatever 
force  they  might  possess,  at  such  points  as  they  might  select, 
without  a  reasonable  prospect  of  resistance.  Col.  Christopher  P. 
Bellinger,  with  a  body  of  drafted  militia,  had  been  stationed  at 
this  place,  and  an  artillery  company,  under  Capt.  Elisha  Camp, 
had  been  formed,  and  had  offered  their  services  for  a  short  time, 
which  had  been  accepted  by  General  Brown.  As  ordnance  and 
military  stores  were  of  first  importance  for  the  defence  of  the 
place,  a  meeting  was  called  to  press  upon  the  governor  the  im- 
portance of  an  immediate  attention  to  these  wants,  of  which  the 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  proceedings: 

Sachets  Harbor,  July  II.  1812. 
"His  Ex.  Gov.  Tompkins,  Respected  Sir: — The  undersigned,  a  com- 
mittee appointed  on  the  part  of  the  officers  stationed  at  Sackets  Harbor, 
and  the  villagers,  for  the  purpose  of  adopting  measures  of  defence  for 
tills  place,  beg  leave  to  address  you  on  this  subject.  We  would  earnestly 
soliiMt  your  attention  to  the  exposed  situation  of  this  place,  its  liability 
to  attack,  and  to  the  most  expeditious  means  of  resisting  with  effect  any 
offensive  operations.  This  place,  it  will  be  known,  is  the  station  or  port 
from  whence  the  brig  Oneida  denvesall  her  supplies,  ;«nd  the  almost  only 
harbor  she  can  witli  safety  resort  to  from  the  bad  ■feather  of  the  lake. 
It  is  a  village  respectable  for  size  and  populatioL>,  and  is  the  easiest  of 
access  to  any  hostile  naval  force  upon  the  lake.  The  English  have  a 
disposable  effective  naval  force  of  at  least  sixty  eight  ,!;uns,  while  all  our 
dufeuce  consists  of  18  guns,  on  hoard  the  Oneida,  and  2  nine  poundsrs  on 


178 


Houndsfield. 


shore,  less  than  one  third  of  what  may  be  made  to  bear  upon  us.  Under 
these  circumstances,  according  to  the  established  usages  of  war,  it  would 
be  bordering  upon  insanity  for  us  not  to  expect  that  an  attack  will  be 
made  upon  us,  the  troops  stationed  here  driven  from  their  encamp- 
ment, a  landing  effected  under  the  cot^er  of  naval  artillery,  and  the  village 
demolished,  with  a  large  amount  of  property,  and  loss  of  life.  And  m 
fact  we  have  it  credibly  reported,  that  it  is  the  intention  of  our  enemies 
to  ca|)ture  Captain  Woolsey,  and  destroy  the  navigation  on  our  side  of 
the  lake.  Having  two  schooner  prizes  in  port,  besides  other  craft,  we  of 
course  must  daily  expect  a  visit.  Under  this  point  of  view,  we  have  tor 
some  time  considered  the  subject,  and  have  been  awaiting  with  an:tious 
expectation  the  arrival  of  cannon  and  ammunition.  It  is  far  from  the 
wish  of  the  citizens  of  this  place  to  retire  from  it  with  their  families  and 
effects  and  thereby  scatter  alar.n  and  dismay  throughout  the  country  at 
large,  but  we  assure  you  honored  sir,  that  every  consideration  of  prudence 
and  self  perse  vation  would  dictate  the  measure,  did  not  reinforcements  of 
artillery  soon  arrive.  We  have  a  very  well  disciplined  company  of  artil- 
lery, of  citizens  belonging  to  this  place,  who  can  be  rallied  at  a  very  short 
notice,  and  would  in  conjunction  with  the  soldier.-*  be  competent  to  the 
management  of  a  number  of  heavy  pieces  of  ordnaiice  besides  the  two  9 
pounders  already  here.  We  should  therefore  respectfully  solicit,  that 
the  two  9  pounders,  and  two  sixes  and  other  ordnance  at  the  Rome  Ar- 
senal, might  with  suitable  fixed  and  other  ammunition  be  forwarded 
with  all  possible  expedition,  and  if  10  or  12  nines,  twelves,  or  eighteen 
pounders,  could  be  forwarded,  we  should  consider  the  troops,  the  village 
and  the  brig  Oneida,  when  here,  as  secure  from  attack,  or  if  attacked 
would  be  able  to  give  a  good  account  of  our  adversaries.  This  place 
would  then  be  a  safe  retreat  to  the  Oneida,  should  she  meet  with  a  re- 
verse of  fortune,  as  well  as  a  safe  place  of  refuge  for  the  navigation  of  the 
lakes,  no  harbor  being  easily  of  access,  or  naturally  more  secure.  At 
present,  there  is  no  place  to  which  the  Oneida  can  resort  with  safety, 
in  ease  of  attack  with  a  superior  force. 

Oswego,  Sodus,  and  Genesee  River,  she  cannot  enter  with  her  guns 
aboard,  and  Niagara  \f  too  much  exposed  We  would  further  take  the 
liberty  of  suggesting  the  propriety  of  some  engineer  being  ordered  on 
with  instructions  to  erect  suitable  temporary  batteries  to  he  thrown  up  by 
the  troops  for  such  pieces  of  ordnaiice  as  may  be  stationed  here.  Any 
communication  that  your  honor  may  think  proper  to  make  through 
Captain  L.  Buss,  the  bearer,  to  tlie  keeper  of  the  arsenal  at  Rome  or  other- 
wise, we  have  no  doubt  will  be  executed  with  fidelity  and  dispatch." 

The  committee  who  drafted  the  above  were  Colonel  Bellinger, 
Major  Dill,  Captain  E.  Camp,  F.  White,  and  W.  Warring. 

During  the  war,  Sackets  Harbor  became  the  theatre  of  military 
and  naval  operations  on  an  extensive  scale,  the  details  oT  which 
will  be  given  in  our  chapter  on  that  subject.  It  was  twice 
attacked  by  the  British,  without  success,  and  it  was  the  station 
from  which  were  fitted  out  the  expeditions  against  Toronto,  Fort 
George,  &c.,  and  the  unfortunate  enterprise  under  General 
Wilkinsors,  in  the  fall  of  1813.  From  its  being  the  centre  of 
operations  so  extensive,  and  the  rendezvous  of  great  numbers 
of  sailors  and  soldiers,  many  incidents  occurred  that  possess  much 
interest,  and  scenes  of  vice  and  misery  inseparable  from  camps, 
became  familiar  to  the  citizens. 


Houndgfield. 


179 


At  this  station  about  a  dozen  military  executions  were  per- 
formed during  tlie  war,  for  repeated  desertion,  with  the  view  of 
striking  terror  into  the  minds  of  the  disaffected,  but  with  the 
e/fect  of  increasing  the  evil.  These  cases  were  many  of  them 
young  men  from  New  England,  of  respectable  families,  who  in 
the  heat  of  poltical  excitement  had  enlisted  in  the  army,  and 
who  found  themselves  the  victims  of  the  wanton  barbarity  of 
officers,  exposed  to  the  severest  hardships  of  the  camp,  and  often 
ill  clad,  and  worse  fed,  sometimes  without  shelter,  and  always 
without  sympathy.  Was  it  unnatural  that  under  these  circum- 
stances the  memories  of  home,  with  all  its  comforts,  and  the 
thoughts  of  mothers,  sisters,  wives,  and  children,  and  the  thou- 
sand associations  that  cluster  around  the  domestic  fireside,  should 
come  freshly  to  mind  with  a  force  that  was  irresistible  1  Seve- 
ral of  these  cases  excited  much  sympathy,  among  which  was 
that  of  a  boy  of  sixteen  years  of  age,  who  had  been  bribed  with 
a  gold  watch,  to  open  a  prison  door  at  Greenbush,  and  who  was 
here  arrested  and  convicted.  Many  officers  and  citzeris  made 
strenuous  effiarts  to  obtain  reprieve,  which  were  enforced  by  the 
appeals  of  a  mother,  but  without  effect;  the  agonised  parent  fol- 
lowed her  child  to  the  g«llows,  and  the  sympathizing  tears  of 
the  spectators  bespoke  the  feeling  which  this  rigid  exercise  of  the 
iron  rule  of  war  had  occasioned. 

To  the  condemned,  opportunity  was  always  given  to  make 
remarks,  in  which  some  admitted  the  justice  of  their  fate,  others 
plead  the  entreaties  of  their  comrades,  or  the  urgent  necessities 
of  home;  and  others,  while  they  acknowledged  their  crime,  sup- 
plicated mercy  with  all  the  eloquence  which  the  occasion  could 
command.  Others  treated  their  fate  with  indifference,  or  openly 
preferred  it  to  a  life  under  the  circumstances.  On  one  occasion 
the  convict,  on  approaching  the  scaffold,  scrutinized  its  construc- 
tion with  the  eye  of  a  carpenter,  leaped  upon  the  platform,  pushed 
off  the  hangman,  and  jumped  off  himself,  but  a  reprieve  arrived 
the  instant  after,  and  he  was  restored.  The  place  of  execution 
was  generally  in  the  rear  of  the  village,  where  the  graves  were 
dug,  and  the  convicts  were  marched  to  the  spot,  surrounded  by  a 
guard,  and  after  kneeling  by  their  coffins,  were  dispatched  by  the 
shots  of  several  muskets,  a  part  of  vvhich  only  were  loaded  with 
bal-  There  were  commonly  eight  men  detailed  for  this  purpose. 
The  brutality  of  officers  was  in  some  instances  excessive;  the 
most  extreme  corporeal  punishment  being  inflicted  from  the 
slightest  causes,  or  from  mere  caj  rice;  and  such  was  sometimes 
the  bitterness  of  men  towards  officers,  that  in  one  case  it  is 
said  a  captain  durst  not  lead  his  company  in  an  action,  for  fear 
of  being  shot  by  his  own  men. 

Nor  were  there  wanting  incidents  of  a  ludicrous  kind,  which 


I 


180 


Houndsfield. 


enlivened  the  monotony  of  the  camp,  and  showed  the  lights,  as 
well  as  the  shades  of  the  soldier's  life.  Abuses  will  sometimes 
work  their  own  reform,  as  was  illustrated  in  an  amusing  instance 
at  this  station  during  the  war.  A  mess  of  militia  soldiers  had 
received,  for  their  rations,  a  hog^s  head,  an  article  of  diet  not 
altogether  available,  or  susceptible  of  fair  and  equal  division 
among  them.  They  accordingly,  upon  representation  of  the 
facts,  procured  ai  other  messes  in  the  cantonment,  a  contribution 
in  kind,  to  supply  their  wants  for  the  coming  week,  and  after  the 
morning  review,  having  placed  upon  a  bier,  borne  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  four  men,  their  ration  of  pork,  they  marched  through  the 
village  with  muffled  drum,  and  notes  of  the  death  march,  to  the 
cemetery,  where  it  was  solemnly  buried  with  military  honors. 
On  the  next  occasion,  they  received  from  the  commissary  store 
a  supply  of  edible  meat,  and  the  occasion  for  a  similar  parade 
did  not  afterwards  occur. 

Soon  after  the  battle  of  May,  1813,  a  breastwork  of  logs  and 
earth  was  built  around  the  village,  one  end  touching  the  bay 
about  half  way  between  the  harbor  and  Horse  Isliind,  and  the 
other  at  the  site  of  Madison  Barracks.  No  opportunity  was 
afforded  subsequently  for  the  use  of  these  defences.  The  village 
contained  at  the  close  of  the  war,  several  block  houses  and  can- 
tonments, a  considerable  quantity  of  military  stores,  and  a  large 
fleet  of  vessels  that  were  laid  up  at  this  place;  but  these  have 
gradually  disappeared,  until  little  now  remains — one  block  house, 
the  hull  of  a  frigate  of  120  guns,  and  the  remains  of  one  breast- 
work. 

A  duel  was  fought  with  muskets  near  Madison  Barracks,  June 
13, 1818,  between  two  corporals  of  tho  2d  Reg't  U.  S.  Infantry,  by 
which  one  of  them  was  instantly  killed.  The  surviving  party 
was  arrested  and  imprisoned,  but  the  result  we  have  not  learned. 
During  the  war  several  duels  were  said  to  be  fought  here,  but 
they  did  not  attract  particular  attention  with  the  public,  by 
whom  these  acts  were  then  differently  regarded  from  the  present. 
The  state  of  society  left  here  after  the  war  was  necessarily  cor- 
rupt, from  the  numbers  of  dissolute  soldiers,  and  others,  who  re- 
mained, and  the  malign  influence  of  vicious  examples,  of  which  a 
state  of  war  and  a  military  cantonment  invariably  furnish  too  many 
instances,  could  not  fail  of  leaving  their  pollution,  which  years  of 
effort  on  the  part  of  well  disposed  citizens  could  not  effectually 
remove.  The  place  being  continued  both  as  a  naval  and  a 
military  station,  gave  employment  to  many  laborers  on  the  pub- 
lic works,  among  too  many  of  whom  intemperance  was  a  com- 
mon habit,  which  was  followed  by  all  the  vices  of  which  it  is 
the  prolific  parent.  Among  most  of  the  officers  stationed  here 
after  the  war,  was  a  high  appreciation  of  morality  and  good 


Houndsfield. 


181 


order,  and  to  thetn  in  no  small  decree  is  due  the  first  efficient 
efTorts  towards  the  formation  of  religious  societies,  and  the  main- 
tenance Oi    t^ular  religious  services  on  the  sabbath. 

A  short  distance  from  the  village,  and  forming  three  sides  of 
a  square  that  is  open  to  the  bay,  are  Madison  Barracks,  which 
were  built  between  August,  1816,  and  October,  1819,  under  the 
direction  of  Thomas  Tupper,  D.  Q.  M.  G.,  of  the  2nd  Infantry, 
at  a  cost  of  $85,000;  the  plan  of  the  buildings  was  drawn  by 
Wm.  Smith.  Considerable  irregularity  occurred  in  the  issue  of 
due  bills,  for  labor  done  on  these  works,  which  was  in  part 
remedied  by  an  act  passed  in  1836,  "for  the  relief  of  Jesse  Smith 
and  others."  It  would  be  as  inexpedient,  as  to  numbers  still 
living  unnecessary,  to  particularize  instances  of  corruption  and 
fraud  in  the  expenditure  of  funds  at  this  place,  during  the  war, 
of  which  the  government  nevtr  had  cognizance,  but  of  which  the 
public  could  not  fail  of  being  witness,  and  it  may  admit  of  ques- 
tion, whether  the  names  of  certain  villains  should  be  allowed  to 
rot,  or  held  up  to  the  execration  of  honest  men  for  all  coming 
time. 

President  Monroe,  soon  after  his  induction  into  office,  undertook 
a  tour  through  the  northern  section  of  the  Union,  to  observe  the 
condition  of  the  frontier,  and  make  such  arrangements  for  its 
military  security,  as  might  be  deemed  necessary.  Having  reached 
Ogdensburgh,  on  the  1st  of  August,  1817,  he  was  met  by  Major 
General  Brown,  and  attended  to  Rossie,  and  Antwerp,  where  he 
was  met  by  Mr.  Le  Ray,  and  conducted  to  Le  Raysville.  On  the 
3d  he  was  waited  upon  by  the  '-  mmittee  of  arrangements,  and 
escorted  thence  by  three  troops  c'  i.o:se,  under  Captains  Loomis, 
Fairbanks  '-nd  White,  to  the  house  f  Isaac  Lee,  in  Watertown, 
where  he  i  ^ceivcti  a  concise  tho-:gh  flattering  address  from  the 
citizens.  He  theii  proceeded  to  Brownville,  and  on  the  4th  to 
Sackets  Harbor.  Upon  arriving  at  the  bridge,  at  the  bounds  of 
the  village,  he  was  saluted  with  nineteen  guns.  The  bridge  was 
tastefully  fitted  up  with  nineteen  9rches,  on  which  were  inscribed 
the  names  of  the  several  Presio'^nts;  the  first  arch  being  l  ir- 
mounted  by  a  living  American  y.agle.  At  its  extremity,  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  introduced  to  the  President  a  number 
of  veteran  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  by  whom  he 
was  thus  addressed: 

"  Sir — It  is  with  pleasure  that  we,  a  i  v  of  the  survivors  of  the  revolu- 
tion, residing  in  this  ytnrt  of  the  comitry,  welcome  the  arrival  of  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  Union.  It  is  with  increased  satisfaction  that  we 
recognize  in  him  one  of  the  number  engaged  in  the  arduous  struggle  of 
establishing  the  independence  of  the  country.  We  have  lived,  sir,  to  see 
the  fruits  of  our  toils  and  struggles  amply  rej'lized,  in  the  happiness  and 
prosperity  of  our  country;  and,  sir,  we  have  the  fullest  confidence,  that 
under  your  administratiou,  the  V     ;    '3  handed  down  to  our  posterity, 


182 


Himndsfield. 


i ,       \i 


unimpaireu.  Like  your  immortal  predecessor,  the  illtistrioiis  Washington, 
nay  you  be  honored  by  the  present  and  future  ,"  herations,  and  finally 
receive  the  rich  reward  with  him  in  realms  ab'/  • . ' 

The  Presiclent  received  this  address  with  expressions  of  cordial- 
ity and  esteem,  highly  cheering  and  satisfactory  to  the  veteran 
soldiers,  in  several  of  whom  he  recognized  his  former  associates 
in  arms,  in  the  revolutionary  w^ar.  Upon  passing  Fort  Pike,  a 
national  salute  was  fired,  and  at  the  hotel,  to  which  he  was 
conducted  by  Capt.  King,  chief  marshal  of  the  day,  an  address 
was  read  to  him  by  the  chairman  6f  a  committee  of  citizens. 
Commodore  Woolsey  then  presented  the  officers  of  the  navy, 
attached  io  his  command.  The  public  works  were  inspected, 
the  troops  reviewed,  and  in  the  evening  the  village  was  tastefully 
illuminated.  The  events  of  the  late  war  had  given  importance 
to  this  place,  and  it  became  a  subject  of  interest,  to  determine 
what  works  should  be  erected  for  its  protection.  In  this  the  Pre- 
sident was  aided  by  Major  Totten,  a  military  engineer,  who  had 
been  ordered  to  join  the  suite  at  Burlington. 

On  the  6th,  the  President  embarked  on  board  the  U.  S.  brig 
Jones,  under  a  national  salute,  and  sailed  in  company  with  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake  to  Niagara. 

For  nearly  ten  years  after  the  close  of  the  war,  Colonel  Hugh 
i3i  ady  was  stationed  at  the  harbor,  where  he  organized  the  2d 
regiment  of  United  States  Infantry.  He  was  subsequently  as- 
'■''w,(\iA  the  command  of  the  station  at  the  Sault  St.  Mary,  and 
died,  at  Detroit,  about  two  years  since. 

Captain  Alden  Patridge,  of  Middletown,  Ct.,  the  celebrated 
teacher  of  a  military  school  at  that  place,  in  the  summer  of  1828, 
proposed  to  establish  a  military  and  scientific  school  at  Madison 
Barracks,  and  Peter  B.  Porter,  then  secretary  of  war,  on  the  3d 
of  July,  announced  in  a  letter  to  the  citizens  of  Sackets  Harbor, 
the  consent  of  the  President,  to  the  loan  of  the  premises,  for  a 
term  of  years  to  the  trustees,  who  might  have  it  in  charge. 
This  was  confirmed  by  a  joint  resolution  of  Congress,  of  May  2, 
1828,  but  nothing  further  was  done  toward  efTecting  this  object. 

While  Colonel  Brady  had  command  of  this  station,  the  remains 
of  most  of  the  officers,  who  had  fallen  in  the  field,  or  died  of 
sickness,  on  the  frontier,  were  collected  and  buried  together, 
withm  the  pickets  of  Madison  Barracks,  doubtless  with  the  in- 
tention that  at  a  future  time  they  should  be  honored  with  a 
monument,  worthy  of  the  memories  of  Jlmerican  Citizens,  who 
fell  in  the  defence  of  the  American  Rights,  and  the  vindication 
of  our  national  sov^,reignty  andhonor. 

A  temporary  wooden  monument  of  pine  boards,  the  form, 
■without  the  substance,  of  a  testimonial  to  their  memory,  and 
perhaps  emblematical  of  the  empty  and  perishable  honors,  which 


Iloundnjield. 


183 


our  people  are  too  wont  to  bestow  upon  those  who  deserve  well 
of  their  country,  was  placed  over  the  spot  where  these  remains 
were  buried,  but  which,  from  neglect,  aiul  the  natural  action  of 
the  elements,  has  tumbled  down.  Fi.nn  the  panels,  which  were 
broken  and  defaced,  we  made  out,  with  great  difUculty,  the  fol- 
lowing inscriptions: 

IJoRTH  Side. — ^'Brigadier  ^     "ra^.  '^ovington,  killed,  Chrys 
ler's  Field,  U.  C.,Mvctiber  '3."     ** Lieutenant  Colonet 


Colonel 
'^  Harbor,  29  May,  1813." 
L  tenant  Colonel  Dix," 
hventer.'* 

'  Mills,  Volunteer,  killed 
Captain  JJ.  Spencer,  29th 


E.  Backus,  Dragoons,  killed  at 

East  Side. — **  Colonel 
*^  Major  Johnson,"  *'Lieuit    ., 

South  Side, — "  Lieutenani  i 
at  Sockets  Harbor,  29  May,  18  i 

Infantry,  aid-de-camp  to  Major  General  Brown,  killed  at  Lun- 
dy's  Lane,  July  25,  1814." 

West  Side. — "  Brigadier  General  Z.  M.  Pike,  killed  at  York 
U.  C,  27  Jipril,  1813."  "  Captain  Joseph  Mcholson,  Uth 
Infantry,  aid-de-camp  to  General  Pike,  killed  at  York,  U.  C, 
27  April,  1813." 

A  tiew  years  since,  the  remains  of  Colonel  Mills  were  removed 
to  Albany. 

A  prominent  and  attractive  relic  of  the  war  at  this  place,  is 
the  hull  of  the  frigate  New  Orleans,  which  had  a  keel  of  187 
feet,  beam  56  feet,  hold  30  feet,  and  a  measurement  of  3200  tons. 
She  was  pierced  for  110  guns,  and  could  have  carried  120.  The 
British  had  got  out  the  St.  Lawrence,  a  three  deck  man-of-war, 
of  120  guns,  and  this  rendered  it  necessary  to  produce  some  ves- 
sel to  match  the  enemy,  and  led  to  the  commencement  of  this 
undertaking.  The  vessel  was  never  launched,  and  has  been  pre- 
served at  considerable  expense  by  the  government  who  have 
caused  it  to  be  covered  by  a  house.  She  was  to  have  been 
named  the  JVew  Orleans.  The  Chippewa,  a  vessel  quite  as  large, 
was  building  at  Storr's  Harbor,  further  up  the  bay,  when  the 
news  of  peace  put  a  stop  to  the  building,  which  had  not  ad- 
vanced so  far  as  the  New  Orleans.  A  house  was  built  over  this 
also,  and  it  was  preserved  many  years,  but  finally  taken  down 
for  the  iron  it  contained.  Modern  improvements  in  navigation, 
and  especially  in  the  use  of  steam,  have  rendered  vessels  of  this 
class,  especially  on  this  water,  entirely  unavailable,  and  the 
question  of  keeping  up  this  vessel  may  be  regarded  as  one  of 
doubtful  expediency.  There  are  but  very  few  ports  on  the  lake, 
where  a  vessel  drawing  water  to  a  depth  that  this  would  require 
could  enter. 

About  1838,  the  political  aspect  of  our  northern  frontier 
threatening  collision  with  the  English  in  Canada,  a  large  num- 
ber of  heavy  iron  cannon,  of  modern  construction,  and  suited 


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for  a  naval  armament,  was  &ent  to  this  place  where  they  now 
remain. 

Previous  to  the  war,  a  flourishing  commerce  hail  sprung  up  on 
Lake  Ontario,  and  the  following  vessels  were  engaged  in  trade, 
all  of  them  having  more  or  less  business  at  Sacket's  Harbor:' 
Genesee  Packet,  Capt.  Obed  Mayo,  of  Ogdensburgh;  Diana, 
Capt.  A.  Montgomery;  Fair  American,  Capt.  Augustus  F^rd; 
Collector,  Capt.  Samuel  Dixon;  Experiment,  Capt.  C.  Holmes j 
Charles  and  Jinn,  Capt.  Pease;  Dolphin,  Capt.  William  Vaughan, 
and  a  few  others  whose  names  were  not  obtained.  The  Fair 
American  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  vessel  built  under  the 
present  government  on  this  lake.  She  was  launched  at  Oswego 
for  the  North  Western  Fur  Company.  Soon  after  the  war,  the 
schooners,  Woolsey,  Rambler,  Farmer's  Daughter,  Triumph, 
Commodore  Perry,  Dolphin,  &c.,  were  advertised  as  running  on 
regular  lines  as  packets  from  this  port  Ship  building,  during 
the  war,  was  carried  on  under  the  supervision  cif  Henry  Eckford, 
who  gained,  and  afterwards  maintained,  great  eminence  in  this 
department.  Noah  Brown,  and  others,  who  began  their  career 
under  him,  subsequently  became  noted  as  ship  builders.  Ever 
since  the  war,  the  business  of  constructing  trading  vessels  at 
this  port  has  been  more  or  less  continued,  but  we  have  not  been 
able  to  procure  the  details  satisfactorily. 

On  the  2d  of  March,  1799,  Congress  first  enacted  a  law  ap- 
plying to  the  collection  of  duties  on  Lake  Ontario,  by  establish- 
ing two  districts,  of  which  all  east  of  Genesee  River  was  in- 
cluded in  Oswego,  and  all  west  in  ^Niagara  District. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1803,  another  act  was  passed,  the  third 
section  of  which  read  as  follows:  "  And  be  it  further  enacted: 
That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to 
establish,  when  It  shall  appear  to  him  to  be  proper,  in  addition 
to  the  port  of  entry  and  delivery  already  established  on  Lake 
Ontario,  one  other  port  of  entry  and  delivery  on  the  said  lake, 
or  on  the  waters  or  rivers  emptying  therein,  and  to  appoint  a 
collector  of  customs,  to  reside  and  keep  an  ofHce  thereat." 

In  pursuance  of  this  law,  Sackets  Harbor  District  was  soon 
after  established  and  has  been  since  maintained,  halving  been 
reduced  in  extent  by  the  formation  of  Oswegatchie  District,  in- 
cluding St.  Lawrence  County,  March  2d,  1811,  and  Cape  Vin- 
cent District,  April  18th,  1818,  comprising  all  below  Point 
Peninsula  inc^isive.  The  collectors  at  this  port  have  been: 
Augustus  Sacket,  Hart  Massay,  Perley  Keyes,  John  M.  Canfield, 
Thomas  Loomis,  Danforth  N.  Barney,  Leonard  Dennison,  John 
0.  Dickey,  Otis  M.  Cole,  Danitl  McCullock  and  Abram  Kromer. 

Congress  passed  an  apprcpiiation  of  $3,000,  May  20,  1826, 
for  clearing  out  Sackets  Harbor,  and  an  equal  sum  May  23, 


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1828,  for  improving  the  same.  On  the  3d  of  May,  1831,  the 
sum  of  $4,000  was  appropriated  for  a  beacon.  For  improving 
the  harbor  at  the  mouth  of  Black  River  (Dexter)  the  following 
sums  have  been  appropriated:  July  4, 1836,  $5,000;  March  3, 
1837,  $10,000;  July  7,  1838,  $22,401. 

About  1823,  a  project  was  brought  up  for  diverting  a  portion 
of  t^e  waters  of  Black  River  from  the  lower  pond  in  Watertown, 
into  Pleasant  and  Mill  Creeks,  to  supply  a  water  power  to 
Sackets  Harbor.  The  subject  was  referred  by  the  legislature  to 
the  attorney  general  for  his  opinion,  who  decided,  that  private 
pcoperty  had  often  been  taken  for  private  purposes;  but  from  the 
opposition  of  H.  H.  Coffeen,  O.  Stone,  and  others,  through  whose 
lands  the  canal  would  pass,  with  active  influence  at  Brownville, 
the  measure  was  then  defeated.  In  1825,  the  effort  was  renewed, 
and  an  act  passed  April  20,  1825,  which  authorized  Joseph 
Kimball,  Amos  Catlin,  and  Daniel  Hall,  Jr.,  to  divert  the  sur- 
plus waters  of  the  river  into  Pleasant  and  Stony  Creeks,  in 
Houndsfield,  Adams,  and  Henderson,  for  hydraulic  purposes. 
Damages  to  be  assessed  by  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Clark  Allen,  and 
Joseph  Hawkins;  and  road  and  farm  bridges  were  to  be  maintained 
by  the  company.  The  act  was  coupled  with  a  proviso,  that  the 
waters  should  not  be  taken  from  any  dam  then  existing,  without 
the  written  consent  of  the  owners;  that  effectually  defeated  the 
purpose,  for  this  was  next  to  impossible.  Being  still  determined 
to  prosecute  the  matter,  a  meeting  was  called  at  Sackets  Harbor, 
February  13,  1826,  at  which  strong  resolutions  urging  their  ne- 
cessities, and  deprecating  the  proviso  of  the  late  law,  were 
passed.  The  annual  loss  and  inconvenience  to  farmers  for  want 
of  the  privilege,  was  estimated  at  from  $10  to  $50  each,  for 
those  on  the  lake  shore  and  its  vicinity;  and  measures  were 
resolved  upon  to  get  the  obnoxious  restriction  removed  by  a  new 
appeal  to  the  legislature.  On  the  17th  of  April,  1826,  the  act 
was  amended;  but  still  it  was  attended  with  difficulties  that  could 
not  be  surmounted. 

The  proposition  was  next  discussed  of  making  the  proposed 
canal  navigable,  which  it  was  estimated  could  be  done  at  a  cost 
of  $200,000  from  Carthage  to  Sackets  Harbor,  and  that  an  an- 
nual revenue  from  tolls  amounting  to  $16,000  could  be  expected. 

An  act  was  accordingly  procured,  April  15, 1828,  incorporating 
the  Jefferson  County  Canal  Company ^  with  a  capital  of  $300,r 
000,  in  shares  of  $100,  in  which  Vincent  Le  Ray,  Philip  Schuyler, 
Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Elisha  Camp,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Levi  Beebee, 
Arthur  Bronson,  John  Felt  and  Joseph  Kimball,  were  named  the 
first  parties.  Nothing  was  done  under  this  act.  It  being  under- 
stood that  Mr.  Elisha  Camp,  of  Sackets  Harbor,  was  willing  to 
assume,  under  certain  conditions,  the  stock  necessary  for  the 

13 


9 


186 


Hmmdrfield. 


t^it. 


construction  of  the  work,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Watertown, 
December  30, 1829,  at  which  a  committee  of  three  was  appointed 
to  confer  on  the  propriety  of  the  course,  and  learn  what  encour- 
agement would  be  afforded  in  aid  of  the  work. 

fiy  the  act  of  April  28,  1839,  a  tax  was  imposed  upon  real 
estate  within  the  village  of  Sackets  Harbor,  and  on  the  millsites 
on  Pleasant  Creek,  amounting  to  $3000  in  two  years,  to  be 
assessed  in  proportion  to  the  benefits  to  be  received,  and  on 
20th  of  April,  lb30,  Elisha  Camp  was  appointed  a  commissioner 
for  this  duty  in  place  of  Daniel  Hall,  resigned,  and  the  act  was 
extended  till  June  of  that  year.  A  canal  twenty  feet  wide  at  top 
and  twelve  at  bottom,  four  feet  deep,  was  made  in  1830,  from 
Huntington's  Mills,  two  miles  above  the  village  of  Watertown, 
to  the  Big  Swamp,  and  in  1832  it  was  finished,  supplying  to 
the  village  of  Sackets  Harbor  a  valuable  water  power,  upon 
which  there  was  erected  there  a  grist  mill,  two  saw  mills,  plaster 
mill,  paper  mill,  furnace,  &c. 

The  law  was  so  framed,  however,  as  to  give  rise  to  litigation. 
The  greatest  difficulty,  however,  encountered,  was  in  maintaining 
the  first  half  mile  of  the  ditch,  which  was  constructed  along  the 
margin  of  Black  River,  where  it  was  liable  to  be  washed  away 
on  one  side,  and  filled  by  slides  of  clay  and  sand  on  the  other. 
These  difficulties  finally  led  the  work  to  be  abandoned,,  after 
having  been  in  use  about  ten  years,  to  the  pecuniary  loss  of  all 
parties  concerned. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  1838,  a  paper  mill  of  Col.  Camp,  at  the 
H"  •,  was  burned  with  a  loss  of  from  $7,000  to  $10,000.  It 
b:         en  in  operation  about  a  yedr. 

A  destructive  fire  occurred  at  Sackets  Harbor  on  the  morning 
of  August  21,  1843,  originating  in  a  ware  house  on  the  wharf, 
as  was  supposed  from  the  cinders  of  the  steamer  St  Lawrence, 
and  spreading  rapidly,  consumed  nine  buildings  on  the  north  side 
of  Main  Street,  and  eight  upon  the  south  side.  Passing  up 
Bayard  Street,  it  consumed  several  barns  and  dwellings,  and 
from  the  violence  of  the  wind  the  flakes  of  burningt  materials 
were  wafted  to  the  cupola  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  which 
was  burned.  Upon  the  alley  or  street  in  the  rear  of  Main  Street, 
a  number  of  buildings  and  much  property  was  burned.  The 
whole  number  of  buildings  consumed  was  about  forty;  the  loss 
over  $35,000.  Had  this  fire  occurred  in  the  night  time,  from  its 
rapidity  and  violence,  a  loss  of  life  could  have  scarcely  been 
avoided.  An  ineffectual  suit  was  instituted  against  the  steam 
boat  company.  On  several  other  oiicasions  the  village  has  suf- 
fered severely  by  fires. 

The  village  of  Sackets  Harbor,  comprising  great  lots  number 
twenty-two  and  fifty-four,  and  subdivision  Tots  one  and  two,  in 


Houndgfield. 


187 


great  lot  tiumber  fifty-two,  of  Houndsfield,  was  incorporated 
April  15,  1814.  Elections  of  seven  trustees  were  to  be  held  on 
the  first  Tuesday  of  June,  annually.  Not  less  than  three,  nor 
more  than  five  assessors  were  to  be  elected  annually,  together 
with  a  collector,  treasurer,  and  as  many  fire  wardens  as  the  lx\» 
tees  might  direct.  A  president  was  to  be  chosen  by  the  trustees 
from  their  number,  and  some  proper  person  for  a  clerk. 

The  bounds  of  the  village  were  curtailed  April  18,  1831,  by 
the  detachment  of  all  that  portion  north  and  east  of  the  Pleasant, 
or  Mill  Creek,  which  were  exempt  from  the  operation  of  the 
former  act. 

On  the  9th  of  May,  1840,  the  act  was  still  further  amended. 

A  ferry  was  established  across  Black  River  Bay  at  an  early 
day,  and  by  an  act  of  March  31,  1821,  Charles  Colburn  and 
Samuel  Folsom  were  licensed  to  keep  it  five  years.  On  the  21st 
of  January,  1826,  Ezra  C.  Folsom  was  in  like  manner  licensed 
for  five  years.    The  subject  is  now  under  the  care  of  the  courts. 

About  1840,  a  union  school  house,  two  stories  high,  besides 
a  basement,  was  built  at  Sackets  Harbor,  on  a  lot  at  the  corn^ 
of  Broad  and  Washington  streets,  given  by  Mr.  Ogden  for 
the  purpose.  The  cost  was  about  $2,000,  and  it  is  intended  for 
three  departments.  It  has  been  taught  by  from  three  to  five 
teachers,  is  supplied  with  a  set  of  plilosophical  apparatus,  and  af- 
fords facilities  equal  to  those  enjoyed  at  most  academies.  Schools 
are  maintained  here  four  terms  of  eleven  weeks  each  in  the  year. 
It  is  the  only  public  school  within  the  corporation.  The  head 
teacher  has  generally  been  a  graduate  from  college. 

The  Gull,  Snake,  Great  and  Little  Galloo,  and  Stony  Islands 
lying  in  lake  Ontario,  west  of  this  town,  are  considered  as  be- 
longing to  it,  although  they  all  are  nearer  the  shore  of  Hender- 
son.   On  Galloo  island  is  a  lighthouse. 

The  Muskelonge  Burial  Ground  Association  of  Houndsfield 
was  formed  March  31,  1849,  with  Frederick  M  Livermore, 
Samuel  Wilder,  Thomas  W.  Warren,  Richard  Hooper,  John 
Hunt,  Chatincey  Smith,  trustees. 

In  1815  (September  13),  the  Union  Library  of  Sackets  Har- 
bor was  formed,  with  Justin  Butterfield,  Elisha  Camp,  Amos 
Holton,  Daniel  McGiven,  James  Goodhue,  Andrew  B.  Cooke, 
and  Samuel  Bosworth,  trustees,  but  was  of  short  duration.  It 
was  succeeded  by  the  Houndsfield  Library,  April  10,  1827,  with 
Alexander  W.  Stow,  John  McMillan,  Nathan  Bridge,  T.  S. 
Hall,  and  Samuel  Guthrie,  trustees.  About  five  hundred  volumes 
were  collected,  but  it  has  been  long  since  sold.  The  Water- 
town  and  Houndsfield  Library  was  formed  January  11,  1831, 
with  Eliphalet  M.  Howard,  John  C.  Herrick,  Chauncey  D.  Mor- 
gan, Obadiah  Brainard,  and  Oliver  Grow,  trustees,  which  has 
also  gone  down. 


186 


HoumUJuU. 


The  Young  Men's  Associp'.ion  for  Mutual  Improvement  in  the 
village  of  Sackets  Harbor,  was  incorporate  A  March  2>  1843. 
The  persons  named  in  the  act  were  Augustus  Ford,  M.  K.  Stow, 
Walter  Kimball,  Edmund  M.  Luff,  Jonathan  W.  Tuttle,  John  O. 
Dickey,  Edward  S.  Robbins,  Roswell  C.  Bosworth,  and  William 
H.  H.  Davis.  This  association,  after  an  existence  of  a  few 
months,  was  dissolved. 

Religious  Societies. — ^The  first  regular  meetings  in  this  town 
were  held  by  Edmund  Luff,  an  English  settler,  who,  at  his  own 
expense,  erected  a  house,  still  standing,  for  religious  services, 
and  preached  here  many  years  without  fee  or  reward.  There 
being  no  other  meetings  in  the  place,  these  were  generally  at- 
tended by  those  of  different  religious  faith.  Mr.  Luff*  was  a 
Restoration ist,  approaching  somewhat  the  doctrines  of  Univer- 
salists,  and  was  a  man  very  free  from  that  narrow  spirit  of  into- 
lerance, that  disgraces  too  much  of  what  is  too  often  denominated 
religion.  His  pulpit  was  opened  to  clergymen  of  other  faiths, 
irrespective  of  name,  and  both  Catholics  and  Protestants  en- 
joyed, when  occasion  demanded,  the  freedom  of  his  house. 
During  the  war  the  house  Was  given  up  for  public  uses. 

The  Saeket's  Harbor  Presbyterian  Society,  was  formed  Feb- 
ruary 12th,  1816,  with  Melancthon  T.  Woolsey,  Samuel  Bos- 
worth, Samuel  F.  Hooker,  Elisha  Camp,  and  Enoch  Ely, 
trustees.  A  site  for  a  church  was  given  by  Thomas  L.  Ogden, 
Septf^mber,  1817.  In  1818,  an  effort  was  made  to  raise  the 
means  for  building  a  church,  which  was  built  in  this  and  the 
following  year,  and  in  the  great  fire  of  August  19th,  1843,  it 
was  burned.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Judd,  and  vestry  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  soon  after  tendered  the  society  the  use  of  their  church 
on  Sunday  afternoons,  which  was  respectfully  declined,  and  the 
session  house  fitted  up  until  a  new  church  could  be  built. 

A  brick  church,  48  by  64,  on  the  corner  of  Broad  and  Main 
streets,  was  built  in  1846,  at  a  coist  of  $6000.  A  parsonage 
has  also  been  purchasied.  The  Presbyterian  Church,  was  formed 
by  an  effort  of  the  officers  of  the  army  and  navy,  who  were 
anxious  to  have  religious  privileges,  although  not  members  of  a 
church.  A  minister  was  hired,  and  a  chtwch  formed,  February 
6th,  1817,  of  which  several  of  the  army  and  navy  became  mem- 
bers. These,  on  removing,  formed  others  in  distant  points,  at 
Green  Bay,  Sault  St.  Mane,  &c.  Rev.  Samuel  F.  Snowden 
was  first  employed  in  1816,  and  staid  till  1826.  In  December, 
1826,  Rev.  J.  Burchard  was  employed  about  a  year,  and  De- 
cember nth,  1827,  Rev.  James  R.Boyd  till  1830.  Rev.  J. 
Irvin,  was  employed  in  1831,  and  January  6th,  1832,  was  in- 
stalled.   In  1836,  Rev.  —  Wilson  was  invited,  and  was  em- 

*  Mr.  LnfT  died  at  Sackets  Harbor  in  1823. 


Houndtfield. 


Il9 


ployed.  In  1839,  Rev.  —  Sturges,  1  year.  In  July,  1841,  Rev. 
—  Payson;  in  October,  1841,  Rev.  —  Townsend,  ^s-ho  in 
February,  1842,  was  invited  to  become  a  pastor,  and  remained 
several  years.  On  the  29th  October,  1849,  Rev.  Leicester  A. 
Sawyer  was  called,  and  June  1 1th,  185U,  was  installed  as  pastor. 
The  church  has  belonged  to  the  Watertown  Presbytery,  since 
February  10th,  1819. 

About   1822,  a  small  society  of  Universalists  was  form^, 
which  continued  three  or  four  years.  "■   •■■.'■■  ^  ,."      .    .* 

ChrisVs  Church  (Episcopal)  was  legally  organized,  At^ost 
6tb,  1821,  with  Henry  Moore  Shaw,  rector;  Zeno  Allen,  and 
Elisha  Camp,  wardens;  Robert  M.  Harrison,  Samuel  O.  Ach- 
muty,  William  Kendall,  John  McCarty,  Hiram  Steele,  Thomas  J. 
An^el,  Hiram  Merril,  and  Thomas  Y.  Howe,  vestrymen.  A 
church  oi^anization  was  formed,  September  29th,  1821,  and  the 
next  year  a  subscription  was  circulated  to  obtain  the  means  for 
erecting  a  chuich.  The  corner  stone  was  laid.  May  26th,  1823, 
with  masonic  ceremonies,  but  was  not  completed  till  after  seve-, 
ral  years  of  delay.  William  Warr'  i,  Elisha  Camp,  William 
M.  Kobbins,  S.  F.  Hooker,  William  M.  Sands,  S.  0.  Achinuty, 
and  R.  M.  Harrison,  subscribed  sums  of  f  100  and  upwards,  for 
the  erection  of  he  church.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  M.  Beardsley,  \*ta. 
L.  Keese,  A.  \  Tread  way,  —  Noble,  Benjamin  Wright,  Jr., 
Rufus  D.  Stear  «,  and  G.  Huntington,  have  been  successively 
employed  here  as  missionaries.  In  1852,  the  church  reported 
44  families  (79  adults,  and  53  children)  as  belonging  to  the 
congregation,  and  54  as  belonging  to  the  church.  It  receives  a 
small  stipend  from  Trinity  Church,  New  York. 

The  Methodists  formed  a  legal  society  here.  May  9tb,  183 1, 
with  Asahel  Smith,  Alvah  Kinney,  Hiram  Steele,  John  H.  McKee, 
William  Francis,  Elijah  Field,  Taniel  Griffin,  Samu?l  Whitby, 
and  Samuel  C.  J.  DeCamp,  trustees.  In  1835,  it  was  reor- 
ganized, and  in  1841,  they  erected  a  church  at  a  cost  of  about 
§3000.      . 

The  Christian  Church  of  Houndsfield  was  formed  in  1820  of 
about  forty  members,  under  the  Rev.  Lebbeus  Field.  A  division 
having  occuii  ;d,  a  new  organization  was  effected,  and  in  1843 
they  erected  near  Blanchard's  Corners,  four  miles  from  Water- 
town  Village,  a  church,  at  a  cost  of  about  tH^* 

The  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Religious  Society  of  the  town  of 
Houndsfield,  was  formed  December  26th,  1847,  with  Benjamin 
Maxson,  Elias  Frink,  John  Ulter,  Nathan  Truman,  and  John 
Witter,  trustees.  In  1853,  they  had  41  members,  mostly  near 
th«  line  of  Watertown. 


190 

'V     'S       1-  I!    Jt 


Le  Ray.. 
Le  Ray. 


•  ,U     .*:';■.»•      I  (Vt\'0*'.fJ. 


This  town,  enibraciog  all  that  part  of  Brownville,  as  it  pre- 
viously existed,  lying  east  of  Penet's  Square,  continued  to  Black 
River,  was  erected  Feb.  17,  1806;  the  first  town  meeting  being 
directed  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Abiel  SburtlefF.  By  an  act 
of  April  4,  1806,  all  that  part  of  Leyden,  in  Jefferson  County, 
was  annexed  to  Le  Ray,  and  by  the  erection  of  Antwerp,  Wilna, 
Alexandria,  and  Philadelphia,  it  has  been  reduced  to  its  present 
limits.  The  town  derives  its  name  from  James  D.  Le  Ray  de 
Chaumont,  the  distinguished  landholder,  who  made  the  town  his 
home  many  years. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  at  the  first  town  meeting, 
in  1807.  James  ^Ya\ti\\f[y  supervisor j  Thomas  Ward,  c/erA:/ John 
B.  Bossout,  Ruel  Kimball,  Richardson  Avery,  assessors;  Daniel 
Child,  Lyman  Holbrook,  Daniel  Sterling,  commissionera  high- 
ways; Thos.  Thurston,  constable  and  collector;  Joseph  Child, 
£ldad  Evans,  overseers  o/ the  poor. 

Supervisors. — 1807-15,  James  Shurtliflf;  1816,  Ruel  Kimball; 
1817,  Ethni  Evans;  1818,  Alvin  Herrick;  1819-26,  Horatio 
Orvis;  1826,  Wm.  Palmer;  1827-29,  John  Macomber;  1830, 
Stephen  D.  Sloan;  1831,  J.  Macomber;  1832,  S.  D.  Sloan;  1833- 
35,Lybeus  Hastings;  1836,  Ira  A.  Smith;  1837,  S.  D.  Sloan; 
1838,  Daniel  D.  Sloan;  1839-40,  Joel  Haworth;  1841-42,  Elisha 
Potter;  1843,  L.  Hastings;  1844-5,  Hez.  L.  Granger;  1846-7, 
Alfred  Veber;  1848-49,  Joseph  Boyer;  1850,  Wm.  G.  Comstock; 
1851,  Joseph  Boyer;  1852-53,  Alonzo  M.  Van  Ostrand. 

Wolf  bounties  of  $5,  were  voted  in  1809,  12,  14,  16,  18;  in 
1818  $5  for  panthers;  wolf  bounties  of  $10  in  1810, 13, 15,20; 
fox  bounties  of  50  cents  voted  in  1810, 16, 17, 18;  of  $1  in  1821. 
In  1817  voted  that  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  and  justices  of  the 
peace,  build  or  hire,  a  work  house  for  indigent  people,  and  that 
the  sum  of  $50  be  levied  for  that  purpose. 

In  the  summer  of  1802,  Benjamin  Brown,  a  brotiier  of  Gen. 
Brown,  commenced  the  erection  of  a  saw  mill  on  Pleasant  Creek, 
in  the  present  village  of  Le  Ray  ville.  The  party  left  Brownville, 
April  17,  to  cut  a  road  through  to  this  point,  led  by  Jacob  Brown, 
who  preceded  with  a  compass  to  mark  the  line,  and  after  a  few 
miles  returned,  leaving  word  that  he  would  send  on  a  team  with 
provisions.  From  the  difficulties  of  the  route,  these  supplies  did 
not  arrive  till  the  second  day,  when  the  parties  had  reached  their 
destination,  half  famished.  In  July  Mrs.  B.  Brown  arrived,  the 
first  woman  in  the  settlement,  and  in  the  fall  the  mill  was  com- 
pleted. At  the  raising,  men  were  summoned  from  great  distances. 
These  occasional  reunions  for  mutual  aid,  afforded  in  these 
primitive  times  the  only  opportunities  which  they  enjoyed  for 


Le  Hay. 


101 


exchanging  the  news,  comparing  progress,  and  speculating 
on  the  probabilities  of  the  future,  nor  could  thirty  or  forty  men 
in  the  prime  of  life,  and  many  of  them  accustomed  to  the  stimulus 
of  ardent  spirits,  allow  those  meetings  to  pass  without  a  frolic. 
Our  chronicle  relates,  that  on  this  occasion  "the  party  was  feasted 
upon  a  fine  buck,  that,  when  dressed,  weighed  228  pounds."  This 
game  was  very  common  in  town  at  that  period. 

The  silken  cord  which  binds  two  willing  hearts,  will  sometimes 
chafe  and  irritate,  as  happened  in  this  town,  more  than  half  a 
century  since,  when  a  lady  of  many  advantages,  having  wedded 
a  Frenchman,  accustomed  to  the  rough  fare  of  common  life,  had 
found  the  hut  of  the  backwoodsman  a  poor  place  for  the  enjoyment 
of  life's  comforts;  in  short,  got  sick  of  the  bargain,  and  sent  for 
a  magistrate  to  come  and  untie  "theknot."  As  this  request  required 
deliberation  and  council,  the  justice  invited  one  or  two  of  his 
neighbors  to  accompany  him,  and  remembering  the  scripture, 
that  "wine  maketh  the  heart  glad,"  took  with  him  a  bottle  of 
Port,  and  repaired  to  the  dwelling,  with  the  design  of  negotiating 
the  question,  and,  if  possible,  of  settling  it  by  mutual  compromise. 
The  ills  of  single  life  were  contrasted  with  the  discomforts  of 
marriage,  in  such  a  light  as  to  produce  conviction  in  preference 
of  the  Tatter,  and  the  parties  having  consented  to  remarriage, 
were  again  pledged  for  life,  and  the  umpires  returned  home  with 
an  empty  bottle,  and  a  consciousness  of  naving  merited  the  bless- 
ing upon  peace  makera.  The  current  of  wedded  life  thenceforth 
flowed  quiet  and  uniform  till  old  age,  and  the  parties  have  but 
recently  been  separated  by  the  hand  of  death. 

Scattered  settlements  had  begun  in  various  parts  of  the  present 
town  of  Le  Ray  in  1803-4,  among  whom  where  Joseph  Child,  and 
sons  Daniel,  S'viel,  and  Moses;  Benj.  Kirkbride,  Thos.  Ward 
and  others.  Wa  Cooper  settled  at  a  very  early  day,  resided  till 
his  death,  January  11,  1851.  Dr.  Horatio  Orvis  was  the  first 
practicing  physician  who  located  in  town  aboub  1808.  Roswell 
Woodruff  settled  in  1804,  about  six  miles  from  Watertown,  in 
the  direction  of  Evans  Mills,  where  he  purchased  a  large  farm, 
and  resided  till  his  death  in  1830. 

The  first  general  agent  from  abroad,  sent  by  Mr.  Le  Ray,  to 
look  after  his  \i  is,  was  M.  Pierre  Joulin,  the  CurS  of  Chau- 
mont,  in  Franr  who  was  one  of  the  faithful  few  who  would 
not  take  the  constitutional  oath,  and  was  sent  to  America  by 
Mr.  Le  Ray,  to  save  him  from  the  guillotine,  and  to  have  a  fair 
prospect  for  providing  the  means  for  a  comfortable  subsistence. 
Joulin  was  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  after 
the  troubles  in  France  had  sabsided,  he  returned. 

Moss  Kent  was  early  appointed  to  the  agency  of  lands,  and 
continued  in  that  capacity  several  years,  living  in  Mr.  Le  Ray's 


192 


he  Ray. 


family  until  the  departure  of  that  gentleman  for  Europe  in  1810, 
when  he  remained  >¥ith  his  son  Vincent.  When  Joulin  iirst 
met  Mr.  Kent,  they  would  have  been  unable  to  communicate, 
had  it  not  been  that  both  being  classical  scholars,  they  were  en- 
abled to  converse  in  Latin. 

In  1806,  Dr.  Bawdry,  another  Frenchman,  was  sent  by  Mr. 
Le  Ray  to  select  the  site  of  a  house,  and  superintend  its  erection. 
This  vicinity  was  probably  chosen  from  its  central  position,  and 
the  locality  was  one  of  much  beauty,  near  the  edge  of  the  pine 
plains,  within  sight  of  the  little  village  of  Le  Haysville,  and  in 
the  midst  of  a  native  growth  of  timber,  which  was  carefully 
thinned  out,  and  the  premises  adorned  with  every  appendage 
that  fancy  could  suggest.  Mr.  Le  Ray  came  in  with  his  family 
to  reside  here  in  1808,  and  began  a  liberal  system  of  settling 
his  lands,  by  opening  roads,  building  bridges  and  mills,  and  oN 
fering  fair  inducements  to  the  first  settlers  of  a  new  neighbor- 
hood. .  If  he  had  a  fault  as  a  land  holder,  it  was  in  being  over 
indulgent  in  allowing  payments  to  pass  by,  and  too  readily  list- 
ening to  the  complaints  of  settlers,  by  which  both  himself  and 
his  purchasers  were  eventually  the  losers.  He  was  uniformly 
liberal  in  aiding  religious  societies  and  schools,  the  most  of 
whom,  on  his  tract,  received,  gratuitously,  the  site  for  buildings, 
and  many  of  them  substantial  aid  besides. 

About  1819,  Mr.  Le  Ray  sent  a  young  and  talented  scholar 
of  the  Polytechnic  School,  by  the  name  of  Desjardines,  who  had 
invented  a  new  mode  of  manufacturing  powder,  and  caused  to 
be  erected,  under  his  direction,  a  powder  mill,  a  mile  below  Le 
Raysville,  which  run  a  few  seasons,  making  a  large  quantity  of 
coarse  quality,  which  had  the  reputation  of  being  "  lazy  "  but 
strong,  and  well  adapted  for  blasting.  Its  slowness  gave  remark 
to  a  saying  "  that  on  a  time,  a  man  having  a  considerable  sup- 
ply, accidentally  discovered  it  on  fire,  and,  being  distant  from 
fieighbors,  before  it  could  be  extinguished,  it  had  half  consumed." 
The  mill  was  afterwards  changed  to  a  starch  mill,  for  making 
potato  starch,  and  the  site  is  now  occupied  by  Slocum's  grist 
mill.  The  charcoal  used  was  made  of  alder  wood,  carefully 
peeled,  and  charred  in  close  iron  vessels. 

Le  Raysville  continued  to  be  the  seat  of  the  land  office  until 
about  1835,  when  it  was  removed  to  Carthage,  since  which  the 
place  has  lost  much  of  its  importance.  It  is  but  a  small  village, 
and  is  nine  miles  from  Watertown,  three  from  Evans'  Mills,  and 
two  from  the  Great  %end. 

Evans*  Mills  is  a  small  but  pleasant  village,  situated  at  the 
junction  of  West  and  Pleasant  Creeks,  th«  latter  of  which  af- 
fords a  limited  Amount  of  water  power,  and  is  o^e  mile  from  In- 


Le  Ray. 


193 


dian  River.  It  owes  its  name  to  Ethni  Evans,*  a  millwright, 
from  Hinesdale,  New  Hampshire,  who  came  into  the  country  in 
the  employment  of  Jacob  Brown,  about  1802,  and  July  9,  1804, 
purchased  of  Le  Ray  a  tract  of  192  acres,  for  $677.  About 
1805  or  6,  mills  were  commenced,  and  in  1809  the  place  con- 
tained but  a  saw  and  grist  mill,  and  a  small  tavern.  The  first 
merchant  and  inn-keeper  at  the  village  was  Jenison  Clark. 

In  June,  1812,  the  inhabitants  of  Evans'  Mills  commenced 
the  erection  of  a  block  house,  for  protection  against  Indian  mas- 
sacre, but  the  alarm  subsided  before  the  body  of  the  house  was 
finished,  and  it  was  never  used.  Several  families  from  the 
Mohawk  had  settled  here,  and  the  traditions  they  possessed  of 
savage  warfare,  of  which  some  had  been  witnesses,  doubvless 
originated  the  alarm. 

A  post  office  was  established  here  about  1823-24,  which,  in 
1846,  was  c^.anged  to  Evansville,  and  in  1851,  to  the  original 
name  of  Evans'  Mills.  This  village,  at  present,  contains  two 
inns,  three  stores,  two  groceries,  one  hardware  store,  three 
blacksmith  shops,  one  cabinet  shop,  two  wagon  shops,  out  grist 
mill,  one  saw  mill,  the  usual  variety  of  rr>echanics,  four  physi- 
cians, about  sixty  dwellings,  and  from  SOO  to  400  inhabitants. 
There  are  here  churches  of  the  Presbyterian,  Baptist,  Methodist, 
and  Catholic  orders.  The  village  is  three  miles  from  Le  Rays- 
ville,  seven  from  Sterlingville  and  Philadelphia,  ten  from  Theresa, 
twelve  from  Stone  Mills,  thirteen  from  La  Fargeville,  three  from 
Pamelia  Corners,  eleven  from  Brownville,  ten  from  Watertown, 
by  plank  road,  six  from  Black  River  Village,  and  twelve  from 
Carthage.  The  Potsdam  and  Watertown  Rail  Road  will  pass 
through  the  village. 

The  Pine  Plains,  a  very  interesting  feature,  due  to  geological 
causes,  extend  into  this  town  from  Wilna,  and  were,  when  the 
country  was  first  explored,  covered  with  a  most  valuable  growth 
of  pine  timber.  Immense  quantities  have  been  cut  off,  and  fires 
have  run  over  more  or  less  of  the  tract,  every  few  years,  since 
18C4,  so  that  between  the  two  agencies  they  have  been  mostly 
stripped  of  their  timber,  leaving  a  light,  barren,  sandy  soil,  of 
little  value.  Perhaps  the  most  destructive  fire  that  has  occurred 
on  these  plains  was  in  July,  1849,  but  running  fires  have  oc- 
curred in  almost  every  season  of  extreme  drouth.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  these  sand  plains,  the  town  is  fertile  and  well  culti- 
vated. Like  several  adjoining  towns,  it  is  underlaid  by  vast 
quantities  of  water  limestone,  which  has  been  manufactured  to  a 
considerable  extent  at  one  or  two  places. 

A  union  library  was  formed  in  May,   1810,  with  Abner  Pas- 

i  .-.      ,.      ,,'      )      .,T..      ...      •         >,  . 

*  Jad|«  Ivus  died  February  32,  183t,  •(•d  St. 


194 


Le  Ray. 


■ell,  James  Sburtlilf,  Horatio  Orvis,  Ruel  Kimball,  Olney  Pierce, 
Isaac  Ingerson,  and  Jonathan  Miller,  trustees. 

Religious  Societies. — The  Baptist  church  of  Le  Ray  was 
formed  in  1^14,  about  two  miles  from  Evans'  Mills,  by  Elder 
Maltby,  and  in  1818  was  removed  to  that  place.  A  society  was 
formed  November,  1823,  with  E.  Evans,  Asa  Hall,  Levi  Read, 
John  Macorober,  Stephen  D.  Sloan,  and  Chauncev  Morse,  first 
trustees.  A  church  edifice  was  begun  and  nearly  finished,  when 
it  was  accidentally  burned.  Mr.  Le  Ray  gave  the  society  a  sub- 
stantial donation  in  lumber,  with  the  aid  of  which  the  present 
Baptist  church  at  Evans'  Mills  was  erected.  Elders  Matthew 
Wilkie,  John  Blodget,  Thomas  A.   Warner,  John  F.  Bishop, 

Tillinghast,  Adams,  Ford,  N.  Bishop,  

Ward,  and  others  have  been  employed  here.  In  1836  the  soci- 
ety was  reorganized. 

The  Congregational  Church  of  Le  Ray,  at  Evans'  Mills,  was 
formed",  January  13th,  1814,  at  the  house  of  Elisha  Scofield,  by 
Rev.  N.  Button,  of  Champion,  of  12  members.  It  soon  joined  the 
Black  River  Association,  and  February  12th,  1825,  became  Pres- 
byterian. In  1841,  it  united  with  the  Ogdensburgh  (old  school) 
Presbytery  Rev.  Ruel  Kimball  was  employed  the  first  ten  years, 
and  Rev.  C.  O.  Finney  6  months,  in  1825-6,  since  which,  John 
Sei^sions,  R.  Pettibone,  T.  C.  Hill,  John  Eastman,  Thomas  Bel- 
lamy, and  Joseph  A.  Rosseel,  have  been  employed.  Mr.  Eastman 
has  alone  been  installed  pastor.  The  First  Associated  Congrega- 
tional Society  of  the  town  of  Le  Ray  was  formed,  March  3d,  1823, 
with  David  Burhans,  Milton  W.  Hopkins,  Clark  W.  Cande,  Dr. 
Ira  A.  Smith,  Silvenas  Evans,  and  Silvester  Kelsey,  trustees. 
In  1826,  the  present  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $2,600,  of 
which  Mr.  Le  Ray  gave  $200. 

The  First  Reformed  Church  of  the  town  of  Le  Ray,  was 
formed  July  13th,  1822,  with  Alexander  H.  Van  Brocklin,  Peter 
Hovee,  Richard  Hovee,  and  John  C.  Walrath,  the  first  elders  and 
deacons.    This  society  has  no  house  of  worship. 

The  first  society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  Le 
Ray,  was  formed  November  20th,  1824,  with  James  Ward,  Wil- 
son Pennock,  Elijah  Sirlth,  William  Taggard,  P.  S.  Stewart, 
Henry  Churchill,  Parker  Chase,  John  Y.  Stewart,  and  Daniel 
Smith,  trustees.  They  have  been  once  reorganized,  and  have  a 
church  at  Evans'  Mills.  The  second  society  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  of  Le  Ray  was  formed  October  25th,  1824, 
with  Francis  Porter,  Seneca  Weed,  Curtis  Cory,  John  Humphrey, 
Daniel  Burden,  and  Elijah  Cory,  trustees.  This  society  has 
also  been  reorganized. 

A  Union  Church  has  been  recently  erected  at  Sanford's  Cor- 
ners in  this  town. 


Lorraine. 


105 


The  Friends  have  a  meeting  bouse  between  Evans'  Mills  and 
Le  Raysville  belonging  to  the  Le  Ray  Monthly  Meeting,  of 
which  denomination  a  more  particular  account  will  be  given  in 
our  account  of  Philadelphia. 

In  1848,  the  Catholics  erected  a  church  at  Evans'  Milts  (St. 
Michael's),  the  attending  priest  being  the  same  as  at  AVatertown. 

LoRRAms. 

Was  erected  as  Malta  from  Mexico,  b^  an  act  passed  March 
24th,  1804,  but  it  being  found  inconvenient  to  have  two  towns 
of  the  same  name  in  the  state,  and  there  being  then  a  Malta  in 
Saratoga  County,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  present,  April 
6th,  1808,  together  with  many  others  having  duplicate  names. 

By  the  first  act  of  incorporation,  this  town  was  made  to  in- 
clude its  present  limits  with  those  of  Worth,  or  townships  one 
and  twOf  of  the  Boylston  Tract,  and  the  first  town  meeting  was 
directed  to  be  held  at  t'lic  house  of  John  Alger,  Williamstown  in 
Oswego  County,  and  Harrison  now  Rodman,  in  this,  were 
formed  by  the  same  act.  At  the  annual  town  meeting,  legally 
warned,  and  held  March  5th,  1805,  at  the  dwelling  house  of 
John  Alger,  the  following  town  officers  were  elected.  Asa 
Brown,  supervisor;  William  Hosford,  clerk;  Clark  Allen,  Or- 
roond  Butler,  Warner  Flowers,  assessors;  0.  Butler,  constable 
and  collector;  William  Hunter,  C.  Allen,  poor  masters;  William 
Hosford,  Michael  Foost,  Asa  Sweet,  commissioners  highways; 
William  Lanfear,  Joseph  Case,  Elijah  Fox,  fence  viewers; 
James  McKee,  John  Griswold,  pound  masters. 

When  the  country  was  new,  deer  were  very  common  in  thu 
region,  and  of  course  wolves,  which  led  to  the  offering  of  bounties 
for  their  destruction  for  many  years.  Wolf  bounties*  of  f  5  were 
offered  in  1809,  10,  12, 13,  14,  16,  17.  18,  19,  20;  of  $10  in 
1806,  11.  Panther  bounties  of  $5  in  1810,  17,  19, 20;  of  f  10 
in  1811.  Fox  bounties  of  $0-50  in  1816.  In  VdQQ,voted,  that 
there  be  a  pair  of  stocks  erected  in  the  tovm  of  Malta.  Voted, 
that  the  stocks  be  set  at  the  crotch  of  the  roads  near  John  jllger's. 
We  can  not  learn  that  this  salutary  instrument  of  justice  was 
ever  erected.  At  the  same  town  meeting  voted,  that  swine  be 
yoked,  and  ringed,  and  shut  up  in  pens.  In  1812  voted,'that  each 
person,  allowing  Canada  thistles  to  grow,  after  being  notified, 
pay  the  sum  of  $2;  that  the  informer  shew  the  owner  where  ^aid 

*  It  has  been  laid,  that  on  a  certain  occasion,  one  or  more  wolves  were 
driven  from  Lewis  County  into  the  town,  and  Icilled,  to  secure  the  bounty.  If 
so,  the  transaction  was  far  more  upright  than  the  varied  schemes  practiced  in 
some  of  the  town*  of  Franklin  County,  at  an  early  period,  to  procure  the 
reward  ofiered. 


106 


Liorraine. 


thistles  are;  that  the  money  go  to  support  the  poor.  In  18 13  this 
law  was  again  passed. 

Supervisors.—lSOb-e,  Asa  Brown;  1807,  Clark  Allen;  1814 
Elihu  Gillet;  1815-24,  Clark  Allen;  1825r-29,  John  Boyden; 
1830-31,  Jared  Gleason;  1832-35,  J.  Boyden;  1836-37,  Loren 
Bashnell;  l838-39,,£lisha  Allen;  1840,  L.  Bushnell;  1841,  £. 
Allen;  1842-43,  James  Gilford ;  1844,  J.  Boyden;  1845,  E.Allen; 
1846,  J.  Boyden;  1847,  David  J.  Redway;  1848-51,  Moses 
Brown;  1852,  James  Gifford;  1853,  Willard  W.  Huson. 

The  first  settlement  in  this  town  was  made  in  November  1802, 
by  James  McKee  and  Elijah  Fox,  the  latter  a  single  man.  During 
the  following  winter  and  spring  several  families  moved  in, 
among  whom  were  Comfort  Stancliif,  Benjamin  Gates,  —  Cutler, 
—  Balcom,  John  Alger  and  others.  Cutler  built  mills  about 
1804.  The  first  locations  were  made  along  the  line  of  the  state 
road  from  Rome  to  Brownville,  and  being  easily  accessible,  was 
soon  settled.  A  mail  route  was  established  at  an  early  period; 
the  first  carrier  being  Simeon  Parkhurst.  Benjamin  Gates  was 
the  first  post  master. 

This  town  was  settled  under  the  agency  of  Benjamin  Wright, 
and  others;  the  unsettled  interests  being  owned  by  the  Hon. 
William  C.  Pierrepont,  of  Pierrepont  Manor.  There  were,  Sept. 
1,  1806,  128  settlers  in  this  town,  who  had  acquired  evidences 
of  title  or  long  credit  to  pay  for  it. 

In  quoting  from  the  journal  of  James  Constable,  in  our  account 
of  Ellisburgh,  we  alluded  to  the  practice  of  issuing  certificates  to 
settlers.    Of  these  the  same  journal  remarks,  August  10,  1805: 

"  Town  No.  1  was  settling  very  fast,  and  indeed  all  that  part 
of  the  country  watered  by  Sandy  Creek  had  got  a  name  that 
brought  settlers  in  great  numbers.  We  find  the  practice  of  giving 
certificates  to  those  people,  allowing  them  a  certain  time  after 
exploring  to  go  for  their  families,  before  they  take  contracts  for 
their  lots,  has  been  productive  of  speculation,  and  must  not  be 
continued.  A  Mr.  Salisbury,  who  had  formerly  taken  a  contract, 
sold  it  to  another,  and  bought,  or  procured,  one  of  these  certifi- 
cates, came  to  us,  a])parently  to  ask  indulgence,  as  to  the  time 
of  payment,  but  really  with  a  view  to  ascertain  what  our  inten- 
tions \vere  in  respect  to  such  instruments,  when  we  explained  to 
him  that  they  were  given  to  assist  the  first  real  settlers,  and  by 
no  means  to  be  transferable  to  second  or  third  parties,  as  that  led 
to  speculation,  upon  the  persons  who  ought  to  have  indulgence, 
not  to  the  speculators,  who  profited  to  the  disadvantage  of  both 
the  proprietors  and  actual  settlers.  We  of  course  would  oppose 
all  such  attempts,  and  as  he  had  seen  fit  to  change  his  situation 
from  holding  a  contract  under  us,  to  speculating  in  certificates, 
which  he  must  have  known  were  intended  only  as  an  accoraino- 


Lorraine. 


W 


dation  to  the  first  parties,  we  could  not  treat  with  him,  as  the 
indulgence  intended  to  them  could  not  be  transferred.    Upon  con- 
versation with  Mr.  Wright,  we  found  the  certificates  had  already 
occasioned  some  mischief,  and  we  discovered  from  others  that 
some  of  the  holders  of  them  had  caused  it  to  be  believed  that  all 
the  best  part  of  the  town  was  taken  up,  so  that  new  comers  were 
obliged  to  apply  to  them,  or  go  to  some  other  town.    Mr.  Wright 
had  no  books  or  accounts  here,  but  supposed  that  about  halt  of 
the  town  was  sold,  either  by  contract  or  conditional  agreement, 
and  would  average  $3,  though  the  sales  were  begun,  and  a  good 
deal  sold  at  $2.    The  lowest  price  now  was  $3,  and  it  might  at 
once  be  raised  to  $4,  for  the  whole,  from  the  great  immigration 
to  this  quarter.     He  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  it  was  not  for 
our  interest  to  hurry  sales,  as  this  town  would  speedily  settle, 
and  the  price  might  be  raised.     We  told  him  he  should  have  our 
determination  on  our  return  from  St.  Lawrence  County.    When 
we  were  at  Smith's  Mills  we  had  an  application  from  Mr.  Frost, 
whose  mill  on  No.  1,  has  been  carried  away  by  the  freshet  in 
April,  at  the  rising  of  Sandy  Creek,  who  stated  that  his  loss  by 
that  event  had  disabled  him  from  building  another  mill,  and  be 
intends,  after  paying  for  his  lot,  to  sell  to  David  Smith,  who 
would  engage  to  build  a  mill  on  the  same  site  the  next  season. 
Having  told  him  that  we  wanted  to  see  Mr.  Wright  at  his  house 
(Drake's),  to-day,  he  promiset'  to  be  there  and  settle  his  contract, 
but  he  did  not  come,  and  we  find  by  Mr.  Wright  that  Smith,  who 
already  holds  a  quantity  of  land  in  No.  1,  and  is  the  owner  of 
the  mills  on  Nc.  7,  would  be  an  improper  person  to  hold  that 
mill  seat,  unless. bound  to  build  a  mill  immediately,  because  the 
settlers  would  be  obliged  to  come  to  his  present  mills  from  a  great 
distance.     We  accordingly  left  directions  with  Mr.  Wright  to 
settle  with 'Frost,  so  that  the  mill  seat  did  not  pass  to  one  who 
would  not  erect  a  mill  for  the  accommodation  of  settlers.     Smith 
owns  a  large  property,  and  is  a  moneyed  man.    He  is  supposed 
to  be  on  the  look  out  for  such  opportunities,  and  perhaps  pos- 
sessed of  some  of  the  certificates  just  alluded  to,  it  is  therefore 
advisable  to  be  cautious  of  such  people.    Mr.  Wright  having  in- 
information  from  Mr.  Hunter  of  the  probability  of  iron  ore  on  lot 
No.    on  town  7,  we  went  this  afternoon  to  the  spot,  Drake,  who  is 
a  blacksmith,  accompanying  us.     We  found  the  place  designated 
by  Hunter,  which  was  under  the  roots  of  a  large  tree,  blown  up 
in  a  swampy  place,  where  were  some  collections  of  a  hard  sub- 
stance, not  unlike  the  dung  of  sheep,  and  those  on  the  surface  of 
the  ground.     We  digged  with  stakes,  but  found  nothing  different, 
and  after  a  trial  [by  fire  at  Drake's  house  of  what  we  brought 
there,  the  result  was  an  appearance  of  the  cinders  of  coal  rather 
than  iron,  so  that  we  concluded  Hunter  was  deceived  by  appear- 


198 


Lorraine. 


ances.*  We  afterwards  went  to  see  the  remains  of  a  beaver 
meadow,  and  were  much  entertained  at  it,  being  of  large  extent, 
and  the  work  of  these  animals  is  surprising." 

Soon  after  the  declaration  of  war,  the  following  document  way 
forwarded  to  General  Brown: 

Lorraine^  July  2],  1812. 

"Dear  Sir:  Viewing  our  country  in  danger,  and  feeling  a 
willingness  to  defend  the  same,  sixty  men  assembled  in  this  place 
and  made  choice  of  Joseph  Wilcox,  as  captain;  James  Perry, 
lieutenant;  Ebenezer  Brown,  Jr.,  ensign.  This  is  therefore  to 
desire  your  honor  to  furnish  us  with  arms  and  ammunition,  while 
you  may  have  the  assurance  we  shall  be  ready  on  any  invasion 
within  the  county  of  Jetferson,  at  a  moment's  warning  to  defend 
the  same.  The  above  men  met  at  the  house  of  John  Alger,  on 
the  ]6th  inst.,  an|)  may  be  considered  as  Silver  Grays,  that  is 
men  who  are  exempted  by  law  from  military  duty.  We  wish 
you,  sir,  to  forward  the  arms  to  this  place  as  soon  as  possible, 
and  be  assured  we  are,  with  respect,  your  humble  servants." 

Joseph  Wilcox,  Capt.;  Jas.  Perry,  Lt.;  E.  Brown,  Jr.,  Ens. 

This  company  frequently  met  for  review  and  exercise,  and  on 
the  occasion  of  the  attack  upon  Sackets  Harbor,  marched  for  the 
scene  of  the  engagement,  but  not  in  time  to  take  part  in  it. 

The  town  is  elevated,  very  uneven,  and  underlaid  by  shales, 
which  occur  here  so  finely  developed,  that  the  term  Lorraine 
Shales  has  been  applied  to  the  formation.  Being  composed  of 
alternate  hard  and  soft  strata,  that  yield  with  great  facility  to 
the  disintegrating  agencies  of  frost,  atmospheric  action,  and  run- 
ning water,  the  streams  that  traverse  the  town  have  worn  deep 
gulfs,  in  most  places  impassable,  and  causing  great  inconvenience 
in  the  location  of  roads  and  building  of  bridges.  To  the  lover 
of  nature,  the  quiet  grandeur  and  ever-changing  beauty  of  these 
romantic  chasms,  afford  attractions,  that  will  repay  the  labor  of  a 
visit.  The  gulf  on  the  south  branch  of  Sandy  Creek,  is  perhaps 
as  deserving  of  notice  as  any  in  town.  Its  depth  varies  from  one 
to  two  hundred  feet,  and  its  breadth  from  four  to  ten  rods.  The 
bottom,  and  in  many  places  the  sides,  are  overgrown  with  tim- 
ber, and  the  stream  wanders  alternately  from  right  to  left,  afford- 
ing wherever  it  washes  the  base,  a  cliff,  nearly  vertical  precipices, 
and  of  imposing  grandeur.  As  the  visitor  follows  the  sinuous 
channel  which  the  stream,  through  a  long  lapse  of  ages  has  quietly 
wrought  deep  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  the  scenery  constantly 
changes,  affording  an  endless  succession  of  beauties.  Were  it 
not  for  the  gentle  murmur  of  the  brook,  and  the  occasional  trick- 


A. 


'*Thia  was  the  black  ozyde  of  manganese,  common  in  this  section  in 
■wamps— F.  B.  H. 


Lyme. 


199 


of 
to 


ling  of  the  tiny  stream  down  the  mossy  precipice  to  break  the 
stillness  of  the  scene,  the  beautiful  stanza  of  Beattie,  would  be 
admirably  appropriate: 

**  Thy  shades,  thy  silence,  now  be  mine,  v 

Thy  charms  my  only  theme,  I 

My  haunt  the  hollow  cliff,  whose  pine 
\     Waves  o'er  the  gloomy  stream, 
/      Whence  the  scared  owl,  with  pinions  gray, 

Breaks  from  the  rustling  boughs, 
'        And  down  the  lone  vale  sails  away, 

To  more  profound  repose."  '  '' 

The  Rural  Cemetery  Association  of  the  village  of  Lorraine, 
was  formed  Jan.  8,  1852,  by  John  Boyden,  Aaron  Brown,  John 
Bentley,  £ben  Brown,  Knapp  Macumber,  Joseph  Grirashaw, 
Allen  Pitkin,  Lorenzo  Reed,  John  Hancock,  Moses  Brown,  Elihu 
Gillet,  Augustus  L.  Baker,  Sardis  Abbey,  Peter  Hanson,  Leonard 
A.  Parker,  Joel  Buel,  Luther  Lanfear,  Parley  Brown.  The 
association  is  managed  by  nine  trustees. 

Religious  Societies. — ^The  Baptist  Church  of  Lorraine  was 
formed  in  1806,  of  thirteen  members,  under  the  Rev.  Amos 
Lamson,  who  was  ordained  Oct.  7.  1806,  and  was  succeeded  in 
1815,  by  Solomon  Johnson.  In  1819  Benjamin  W.  Capron  was 
employed,  and  in  May  1824,  Parley  Brown  was  ordained,  and 
labored  until  1830,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  John  F.  Bishop, 
who  labored  one  year.  Charles  B.  Taylor  was  next  employed 
three  years.  In  1838,  Henry  Ward  commenced  preaching  here, 
was  ordained  Feb.  1837,  and  remained  three  years.  In  1840 
Elisha  Robbins  was  employed,  and  in  one  year  after,  Luther 
Humphrey,  who  in  July,  1842  was  ordained,  and  continued  three 
years.  In  1845, 0.  L.  Crittenden  commenced  and  labored  one  year. 
In  1850,  J.  F.  Bishop,  in  1852,  Philander  Persons,  the  present 
pastor,  was  employed- 

In  1830,  a  church  edifice  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $1,200.  The 
society  had  been  formed  Dec.  23,  1829,  with  Aaron  Brown,  Jr., 
John  Fassett,  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Jr.,  and  James  Gifford,  Jr., 
trustees.  A  small  Baptist  Church,  in  the  south  part  of  the  to;vn, 
has  since  been  united  with  the  church  in  Mannsville. 

The  First  Congregational  Society  in  Lorraine  was  formed 
Dec.  3, 1829,  with  Silas  Lyman,  Wm.  Carruth,  and  Alfred  Webb, 
trustiies.  A  small  church  was  erected  in  1830,  which  has  since 
been  sold  to  the  Methodists. 

Lyme. 

By  an  act  of  March  6,  1818,  the  town  of  Lyme  was  erected 
from  Brownville,  embracing  the  present  towns  of  Lyme  and  Cape 
Vincent,  adjacent  islands,  and  so  much  of  Clayton,  as  lies  west  of 
Penet's  Square.    The  first  town  meeting  was  directed  to  be  held 


200 


ijyvM' 


at  the  house  of  Luther  Britton.    The  name  was  selected  by  Eber 
Kelsey,  the  pioneer  of  Cape  Vincent,  originally  from  Lyme,  Ct. 

At  the  first  town  meeting,  March  3,  1818,  the  following  town 
officers  were  elected.  Richard  M.  Esselstyn,  supervisor;  John 
Dayan,  clerk;  John  B.  Esselstyn,  Luther  Britton,  and  Benj.  Estis, 
assessors;  R.  M.  Esselstyn,  James  M.  Craw,  and  Benj.  T.  Bliss, 
commissioners  schools;  J.  B.  Esselstyn,  L.  Britton,  overseers  of 
the  poor;  John  M.  Tremper,  Eber  Kelsey,  and  Thadeus  Smith, 
fence  viewers  and  pound  masters;  Elnathan  Judd,  John  Dayan, 
and  JosephRideT,commissioners highways;  Alex'r  Gage,  Daniel 
Robbins,  constables. 

Supervisors*— 1818-22,  Richard  M.  Esselstyn;  1823,  John  B. 
Esselstyn;  1824,  Willard  Ainswoith;  at  a  special  meeting  in 
Sept.,  J.  B.  Esselstyn;  1825-32,  Willard  Ainsworth;  1833,  Otis 
P.  Starkeyj  1834-35,  Jere  Carrier ;  1836,  Minot  Ingalis;  1837, 
Isaac  Wells;  1838,  Philip  P.  Gaige;  1839,  Roswell  T.  Leej 
1840,  P.  P.  Galge;  1841,  Timothy  Dewey;  1842,  Wm.  Carlisle; 
1843,  Alexander  Copely;  1844,  Wm.  0.  Howard;  1845,  Theo- 
philus  Peugnet;  1846-47,  Isaac  Wells;  1848,  A.  Copley;  1849, 
P.  P.  Gaige;  1850,  Henry  Cline;  1851,  Ezra  B.  Easterly;  1852, 
David  Ryder,-  1853,  Wm.  Carlisle. 

In  1822,  a  bounty  of  $15  was  offered  for  wolves,  and  $10  for 
their  whelps.  From  1824  to  1849  inclusive,  the  town  has  voted 
a  school  tax  of  double  the  sum  received  of  the  state,  except 
1830,  31,  when  it  was  equal.  A  poor  tax  of  $100  wasvoteH  in 
1818,  20,  21,  23,  33,  34;  of  $150  in  1819;  of  $200  in  1825; 
of  $300  in  1848;  of  $350,  at  a  special  meeting  Oct.  11,  1847; 
total  poor  tax  $1,600.  Ataxfgr  roads  and  bridges  of  from  $100 
to  $300  has  been  often  voted,  amounting  in  the  11  years,  in 
which  taxes  were  laid  for  this  purpose,  to  $2,400. 

The  first  settlement  in  Lyme,  was  commenced  by  Jonas  Smith, 
and  Henry  A.  Delamater,  agents  of  Le  Ray,  from  Ulster  Co., 
with  several  men,  among  whom  were  Richard  M.  Esselstyn, 
T.  Wheeler,  Peter  Pratt,  James,  David  and  Timothy  Soper,  and 
a  few  others,  who  in  the  spring  of  1801,  came  in  a  boat  by  way  of 
Oswego,  w^ith  a  few  goods,  entered  Chaumont  Bay,*  and,  by  di- 
rection of  Le  Ray,  ascended  Chaumont  River  two  and  a  half 
miles,  and  on  the  north  bank  commenced  a  settlement,  built  a 
double  log  house  for  a  store  and  dwelling,  and  a  frame  building. 
There  is  said  to  have  been  an  Indian  trail  and  portage  from  the 
head  of  boat  navigation,  a  short  distance  above  this,  to  French 
Creek  (about  six  miles),  which  was  easily  traced,  when  the 

*  On  old  maps  called  Niahour6,  Niaoenre,  Niaoure,  Nivernois,  4-c.,  and  ii 
■ometimes  on  old  maps  named  Hungry  Bay.  Both  terms  were  used  to  designate 
all  within  Point  Peninsula  and  Ptony  Point.  It  was  probably  named  in  honor 
of  tht  Duki  dt  Nivtmou,  a  French  nobleman. 


country  was  first  settled.  The  colony  returned  to  winter,  and  the 
next  spring  came  on  to  continue  improvements,  but  finding  their 
location  inconvenient,  and  especially  liable  to  sickness,  from  the 
malarious  emanations  of  the  stagnant  stream,  they  were  compelled 
to  abandon  it.  Early  in  1803,  they  established  themselves  at  th^ 
present  villageofChaumont,  which  the  same  season  was  surveyed 
into  a  town  plat  Smith  and  Delamater  built  in  1803  a  saw  mill, 
on  the  site  of  A.  Copley's  mill,  and  Samuel  Britton  opened  a 
tavern  in  a  log  house,  and  a  ware  house  was  erected.  Several 
families  now  for  the  first  time  located  for  permanent  settlement, 
mostly  from  Ulster  County,  among  whom  were  several  mechanics, 
and  young  men  without  families,  and  deserters  from  Kingston. 
The  settlement  for  a  year  or  two  prospered,  but  in  1806,  Smith 
and  Delamater  failed  in  business,  the  settlers  were  greatly  reduced 
by  lake  fevers,  several  died,  and  the  growth  of  the  place  was 
checked.  In  1805  a  small  vessel  had  been  begun  by  —  Jacobs,  of 
New  York,  who  died  before  it  was  finished.  The  first  death  had 
been  that  of  T.  Soper,  who  was  drowned  in  1802.  A  school 
had  first  been  begun  by  Nancy  Smith,  in  the  summer  of  1805, 
south  of  the  bay,  in  the  house  of  Jonas  Smith. 

In  1802,  Delamater  cleared  the  first  land  on  Point  Salubrious, 
on  a  farm  now  owned  by  Harry  Horton,  who  settled  here  in 
18 10.  The  first  settler  on  the  point  was  James  Horton  from 
Colchester,  Delaware  County,  in  1806,  and  its  delightful  and 
healthy  situation,  with  the  importance  of  the  fisheries  on  iti 
shores,  soon  led  it  to  be  occupied.  The  sickness  resulting  at 
an  early  period  from  the  noxious  miasmas  of  Chaumont  River, 
did  not  extend  to  this  place,  which  suggested  its  present  name, 
first  applied  by  Mr.  Le  Ray. 

In  1805,  Daniel  and  John  Tremper,  from  Ulster  County, 
settled  on  Point  Salubrious,  and  Henry  Thomas  had  located  at 
the  village  of  Chaumont  with  a  store  of  goods.  David  and 
Joseph  Rider,  Silas  Taft,  Stephen  Fisher,  and  others,  were 
early  settlers  on  Point  Salubrious. 

From  the  extreme  badness  of  the  roads,  the  settlers  of  Chau- 
mont were  obliged  to  depend  upon  a  water  communication  with 
other  places.  Milling  was  tor  some  years  procured  at  Sackets 
Harbor,  and  the  difficulty  of  passing  Pillar  Point  in  rough 
weather  was  so  great,  that  small  boats  were  sometimes  delayed 
a  week.  A  case  of  this  kind  occurred  in  1807,  when  a  small 
party  in  an  open  boat  got  thus  blockaded,  which  occasioned 
much  distress. 

The  first  Fourth  of  July  celebration  in  the  county,  is  said  to 
have  come  oflf  at  Chaumont  in  1802,  at  which  frQm  one  to  two 
hundred  mustered.  The  proceedings  have  not  been  recorded, 
further  than  that  there  was  no  lack  of  food  or  drink,  and  proba- 

14 


103 


MjyiM' 


bly  there  Ti'as  no  less  intemperance  and  disorder  than  has  dinee 
disgraced  similar  occasions.  The  exercises  ^^ere  probably  not 
dissimilar  irom  the  following  that  occurred  in  Lewis  County  at 
about  the  same  period,  as  described  by  one  present.  "  The  dawn 
was  ushered  in  by  a  discharge  of  powder  Irota  a  hole  drilled  in 
the  rock,  and  the  firing  of  muskets  at  the  scattered  huts  of  the 
settlers,  and  the  inhabitants,  one  by  one,  at  an  early  hour  as- 
sembled at  the  appointed  place  to  honor  the  day  by  a  celebrtUion. 
Here  in  a  shanty  had  been  set  a  table  of  rough  boards,  on  which 
was  placed  a  number  of  glasses,  a  cake  of  maple  sugar,  a  pail 
of  water,  and  a  jug  of  rum;  and  a  fife  and  snare  drum  had  been 
provided  for  the  double  purpose  of  awakening  patriotism  by 
recalling  the  memories  of  the  olden  time,  and  of  drowning  the 
discordant  noises  that  the  ardent  stimulus  might  occasion.  As 
most  of  the  old  men  had  been  soldiers  in  the  revolution,  they 
rehearsed  by  turn  their  stories  of  the  war,  and  fought  over  the 
battles  of  their  youth;  the  middle  aged  and  young  joined  in 
wrestling  and  other  athletic  games,  and  towards  nightfall  the 
company  dispersed  for  their  homes.  We  are  not  informed  how 
many  could  the  next  day  give  a  clear  account  of  how  they 
arrived  there." 

At  the  occurrence  of  the  war  there  were  less  than  a  dozen 
families  in  the  settlement;  Luther  Britton  was  keeping  an  inn 
north  of  the  bay,  but  with  the  exception  of  these  few  the  coun- 
try north  and  west,  to  near  the  St.  Lawrence,  with  but  few  ex- 
ceptions, was  an  unbroken  wilderness.  In  June,  1812,  with  the 
advice  of  General  Brown,  the  inhabitants  begun  to  build  a  block 
house,  on  the  north  shore  of  the  bay,  in  front  of  the  stone  house 
of  F.  Coffeen,  which  had  been  commenced  in  1806,  but  was 
unfinished.  During  the  summer  the  place  was  visited  by  the 
British,  and  their  fort  \^as  demolished  by  the  inhabitants,  un- 
der an  assurance  that  in  this  case  their  property  should  be  re- 
spected. An  iron  cannon  had  been  found  on  the  isthmus  of 
Point  Peninsula,  which  Jonas  Smith  had  purchased  for  two  gal- 
lons of  rum.  Mr.  Camp,  of  Sackets  Harbor,  subsequently  pur- 
chased it  for  $8,  and  finally  succeeded  in  getting  it,,  after  one 
or  two  attempts.  It  was  afterwards  taken  to  Ogdensburgh,  and 
finally  captured  by  the  British. 

In  1818,  Musgrove  Evans,  who  had  for  several  years  been 
engaged  in  surveying  for  Le  Ray,  came  on  as  an  agent,  and 
with  him  settled  quite  a  number  of  Quaker  families  from  Phila- 
delphia, who  gave  a  new  impulse  to  the  place,  but  finding  it 
sickly,  and  it  not  meeting  their  expectations,  they  mostly  emi- 
grated. In  1823,  Evans  removed  to  Michigan,  and  founded  the 
town  of  Tecumseh.  As  the  country  gradually  became  cleared, 
the  sicknesss  ceased,  and  since  1828  (which  was  remarkable 


p>^^ 


Lym». 


S03 


for  malignant  fevers),  the  district  has  enjoyed  exemption  from 
these  evils.  In  1803,  a  state  road  was  laid  out  from  Brownville 
to  Putnam's  Ferry,  through  the  town,  and  on  the  31st  of  March, 
1816,  an  act  was  pa.<;sed  authorizing  James  Le  Ray  de  Chau- 
mont  to  build  n  turnpike  from  Cape  Vincent  to  Perch  river,  at 
or  near  where  the  state  road  crossed  the  same,  in  the  town  of 
Brownville.  The  road  was  to  be  surveyed  and  laid  out  under 
the  direction  of  Elisha  Camp,  Musgrove  Evans,  and  Robert  Mc- 
Dowell, or  any  two  of  them,  and  nothing  in  the  act  was  to  be 
construed  so  as  to  oblige  Mr.  Le  Ray  to  build  a  bridge  over 
Chaumont  river. 

By  an  act  of  April  12,  1816,  Mr.  Le  Ray  was  authorized  to 
extend  the  road  to  the  village  of  Brownville,  the  same  commis- 
sioners being  appointed  as  before.  A  turnpike  was  accordingly 
built,  the  crossing  at  Chaumont  being  by  a  ferry,  until  1823, 
when  Vincent  Le  Ray,  and  associates,  procured  an  act  (March 
12th),  authorizing  the  erection  of  a  toll  bridge,  which  was  to 
be  at  least  sixteen  feet  wide;  built  in  a  substantial  and 
workmanlike  manner,  and  provided  with  a  draw,  to  allow  the 
passage  of  vessels.  The  proprietors  were  not  to  prevent  the 
crossing  of  the  stream  on  the  ice  in  winte)*,  and  were  to  keep 
a  free  and  open  passage  to  the  river,  within  five  rods  from  the 
bridge,  and  at  least  one  rod  wide.  The  bridge  was  to  be  com- 
pleted before  December,  1824,  and  if  damaged  by  floods,  or 
otherwise,  it  was  to  be  rebuilt  by  the  proprietors.  The  act  au- 
thorizing the  bridge  having  expired,  the  period  was  extended 
twenty  years,  by  an  abt  passed  May  6, 1835.  This  work  having 
reverted  to  the  state,  by  reason  of  the  parties  in  the  two  acts  last 
cited,  not  having  complied  with  their  provisions,  an  act  was 
passed  April  11,  1849,  authorizing  the  commissioners  of  high- 
ways of  the  town  of  Lyme,  to  borrow  on  the  ciedit  of  the  town, 
a  sum  of  money  not  exceeding  $5000,  for  the  purpose  of  rebuild- 
ing the  bridge,  which  had  become  impassable.  The  supervisors 
Avere  directed  to  tax  the  town  of  Lyme,  then  including  Cape 
Vincent,  for  the  means  to  repay  this  loan,  in  five  annual  instal- 
ments. The  comptroller  was  authorized  to  loan  a  sum  not  ex- 
ceeding $6000,  for  this  purpose,  out  of  the  capital  of  the  com- 
mon school  fund,  upon  application  of  the  supervisor  and  com- 
missioners of  highways  of  the  town,  and  the  commissioners  of 
the  land  office  were  directed  to  release  whatever  interest  the  state 
might  have  in  consequence  of  the  reversion. 

With  the  means  thus  acquired,  an  elegant  and  permanent 
stone  bridge  has  been  erected,  being  mostly  a  solid  pier,  with  a 
draw  to  allow  the  passage  of  vessels.  The  turnpike  was  kept 
up  until  an  act  was  procured,  April  21,  1831,  authorizing  Mr. 
Le  Ray  to  surrender  it  to  the  public,  and  directing  it  to  be  laid 
out  into  road  districts. 


104 


Ljfm». 


Chaumont  Village,  in  July,  1863,  contained  fifty  dwellingUi 
five  stores,  several  shops  and  warehouses,  four  saw  mills  (two 
driven  by  steam),  a  grist  mill,  rail  road  depot,  and  two  school 
houses,  Prsebyterian  church,  &.c.  It  is  quite  scattered,  the  for- 
mer business  portion  near  the  north  side,  at  the  landing,  having 
decreased,  while  that  near  the  depot  has  grown  since  the  com- 
pletion of  the  rail  road. 

The  village  of  Three  Mile  Bay^  situated  on  the  old  turnpike^ 
three  miles  west  from  Chaumont,  began  to  increase  about  1836, 
and  at  present  contains  about  seventy  dwellings,  five  stores,  two 
taverns,  three  warehouses,  and  wharves,  two  churches,  and  the 
usual  variety  of  mechanics.  It  is  situated  about  a  mile  south  of 
thedepotof  this  name,  on  the  W.  and  R.  Railroad,  and  since  the 
completion  of  this  road,  has  diminished  rather  than  increased  in 
business.  The  village  extends  about  half  a  mile  along  the  turn- 
pike, west  of  Three  Mile  Creek,  a  tributary  of  Chaumont  Bay. 

Three  Mile  Bay  has  been  a  station  of  some  importance  for 
ehip  building.  Since  1835,  the  following  vessels,  all  schooners, 
unless  otherwise  designated,  have  been  launched  at  the  yard  of 
Asa  Wilcox,  whose  tonnage,  in  the  aggregate,  amounted  to 
6,410 1  ^  tons.  They  mostly  varied  from  1 12  to  395  tons,  the 
latter  being  nearly  the  capacity  of  the  locks  on  the  Welland 
Canal: 

1835,  Florida,  Elon  Bronson. 

1836,  Pennsylvania,  Kentucky. 

1837,  Missouri.     1838,  Patriot. 

1841,  Asa  Wilcox,  Havanna. 

1842,  D.  D.  Calvin,  Rucky  Mountains  i 

1843,  Cambridge,  Empire  (brig),  Neptune. 

1844,  Cuba,  Oregon,  Ontario  (brig). 

1845,  Milan,  Hampton  (brig). 

1846,  Clifton  (propeller).  Champion,  Iroquois  (brig),  Rio 
Grande. 

1847,  Palmetto,  Seminole,  Portland,  Acadia,  H.  R.  Seymour 
(brig).  '       , 

1848,  Saxton,  Ocean  (brigs).     1849,  D.  J.  Schuyler.    .      -. 
1852,  Melrose.     1853,  Hungarian  (three-master). 
Besides  these,  several  club  boats  for  regettas  have  been  built, 

from  thirty-two  to  fifty  feet  long,  some  of  which  have  repeatedly 
won  prizes.  The  Star,  Wave  and  Banner,  are  names  of  three  of 
these  prize  boats.  In  1836,  Mr.  Wilcox  built  the  Congress,  140 
tons,  on  Pillar  Point. 

In  1832,  S.  Howard  built  the  Mw  York,  80  tons,  on  Point 
Peninsula.  In  1834,  O.  C.  Rand,  built  at  the  same  place  the 
Wm.  Buckley,  112  tons;  in  1836,  the  Bancroft,  112  tons,  and 
in  1837,  the  G.  C.  Rand,  of  112  tons.    In  1843,  Schuyler  & 


.11 '5^ 


i>( 


L^m*. 


906 


Point 
the 
and 

Ier& 


Powers  bailt  at  Three  Mile  Bay,  the  Cd.  Potoer$,  80  tons,  and 
Vfm.  Combs,  the  Bogart,  80  tons.  In  1844-45,  £.  Cline,  at  the 
same  place,  The  Riuh^  60  tons,  and  Peter  Estes,  the  Bretztt  100 
tons. 

The  following  vessels  have  been  built  at  Chaumont:  1832,  by 
Wm.  Clark,  the  Stephen  Girard,  60  tons;  by  Robert  Masters, 
in  1835,  the  ^Ueghan,  100  tons;  by  S.  &.  A.  Davis,  in  1839, 
the  R.  C.  Smeadj  75  tons;  and  by  Copeley  &  Main,  the  follow- 
ing: In  1847,  the  Rip  Van  Winkle,  235  tons;  in  1848,  the  Ox- 
ford,  244  tons.  Palmyra,  180  tons;  in  1851,  the  ^.  L.  Hazleton, 
230  tons. 

Near  Chaumont  Bay,  are  important  stone  quarries,  where  in 
1825-26,  in  1837-40,  and  in  1851-53,  vast  quantities  have  been 
taken  to  Oswego,  for  canal  locks  and  piers,  and  to  that  and  other 
places  for  building.  The  quarries  occur  in  the  strata  correspond- 
ing with  the  Isle  Ta  Motte  marble  of  geologists,  and  the  stone  is 
broken  by  driving  wedges  into  holes  drilled  in  lines  along  the 
surface  about  six  inches  apart.  But  little  powder  is  used,  and 
this  principally  in  breaking  up  the  superficial  mass  to  get  to  the 
solid,  even-bedded  layers,  which  alone  are  used.  These  blocks 
are  usually  dressed  upon  the  ground,  to  the  desired  form,  and 
loaded  upon  vessels  at  wharves,  constructed  for  the  purpose,  ad* 
jacent  to  the  quarries.  These  operations  emplov  the  labor  of 
from  one  to  two  hundred  men,  of  whom  those  employed  in  break- 
ing the  blocks  from  the  quarry  are  paid  by  the  day,  and  those  in 
cutting,  by  the  foot.  The  stone  is  sold  at  25  cents  per  cubic 
yard  in  the  quarry. 

The  fisheries  of  Chaumont  Bay,  have  afforded,  from  an  early 
period,  a  leading  pursuit  for  many  persons  living  in  the  vicinity, 
and  have  been  productive  of  much  benefit  to  the  locality  and  the 
public  generally.  The  earliest  enactment  relating  to  this  branch 
of  industry  commences  with  the  century.  It  having  been  repre- 
sented that  people  from  Canada,  and  other  places,  were  doing 
injustice  to  the  fisheries  at  the  east  end  of  Lake  Ontario,  by  ob- 
structing the  rivers  and  streams  by  seines,  a  law  was  passed 
March  l^th,  1800,  prohibiting  the  placing  of  obstructions  to 
the  passage  of  fish,  under  a  penalty  of  $25.  This  was  probably 
from  representations  of  citizens  in  Ellisburgh  as  this  was  then 
without  inhabitants. 

In  1808,  fishing  with  scoop  nets,  called  here  tcaff  nets  begun, 
and  has  been  more  or  less  constantly  practiced  since.  This  net 
is  about  12  feet  square,  stretched  by  two  long  bows  crossing 
each  other,  and  let  down  horizontally  into  the  water,  being 
balanced  on  a  long  poll  poised  on  a  post  on  the  banks.  When 
fish  pass  over  it,  the  net  is  suddenly  raised  and  swung  round  on 
the  bank.    Sometimes  300  fish  or  more  are  thus  caught  in  a 


206 


Lyme. 


^l 


night.  Seinef  were  soon  after  introduced,  the  first  one  being 
brought  from  the  Hudson  by  Daniel  Treinper.  These  seines  are 
from  10  to  100  rods  long,  from  20  to  100  feet  broad,  wider  in 
the  middle,  and  narrower  at  the  ends,  where  they  are  attached 
to  rods  called  jack  stakes.  To  the  cords  along  one  side  are 
attached  floats,  and  to  the  other  leaden  sinkers,  and  to  each 
staff  is  fixed  a  long  rope.  When  used,  the  seine  is  taken  nut  in 
a  boat  one  rope  being  left  on  shore,  and  when  a  few  rods  out  it 
is  allowed  to  run  off  in  a  wide  circuit,  until  it  is  all  off,  when 
the  other  line  is  taken  ashore,  and  both  ends  are  drawn  in  by 
windlasses  erected  for  the  purpose,  and  turned  by  hand,  or  more 
recently  sometimes  by  horse  power.  The  meshes  of  the  net 
which  are  from  1  to  1^  inches  square,  allow  the  smaller  fish  to 
escape,  while  the  larger  ones  are  scooped  out  when  the  seine  is 
drawn  !nto  shallow  water.  From  I  to  3  hours  are  occupied  in 
drawing  the  seine,  and  the  products  of  a  haul  vary  from  0  to  76 
barrels,  the  average  being  6  or  7.  These  seine  fisheries  are 
mostly  around  Point  Salubrious,  but  other  places  inside  of  the 
bay  are  foand  eligible  to  a  less  extent.  They  are  considered  the 
property  of  tho»e  who  own  the  adjacent  lands,  and  the  seines 
are  owned,  and  labor  done,  by  the  resident  farmers,  assisted  by 
laborers  who  come  in  from  adjacent  towns  for  the  purpose.  The 
principal  fish  caught  for  market  are  lake  herring,  locally  known 
as  ciscoes  and  white  fish,  and  the  season  for  taking  them  usually 
begins  about  the  first  of  November,  and  continues  three  or  four 
weeks.  This  is  the  spawning  season  for  these  fish,  and  the  shores 
are  then  lined  with  immense  quantities  of  their  ova.  Seines  are 
drawn  by  preference  in  the  evening,  or  night.  No  positive  data 
can  be  obtained  showing  the  average  or  aggregate  quantity 
taken,  but  the  opinion  of  those  most  acquainted  with  the  busi- 
ness is,  that  since  1816  about  10,000  barr&ls  of  herring  and 
white  fish  have  been  caught  annually.  Seasons  vary  in  the 
abundance  of  fish;  it  is  observed  that  the  best  yields  occur  in 
high  water.  Of  late  years,  the  yield  is  less  then  formerly,  which 
is  attributed  to  the  use  of  gill  nets,  and  the  mixture  of  saw 
dust  and  other  matters  in  the  water.  Gill  nets  have  been  intro- 
duced since  1845,  are  from  fiv  to  eight  feet  (about  fifty  meshes) 
wide,  from  ten  to  fifteen  rods  long,  uniform  in  width,  and  fur- 
nii  hei!  with  staves  at  the  ends.  These  are  provided  with  sinkers 
on  the  lower  and  floats  on  the  upper  side,  and  connected  together 
form  lines  several  hundred  rods  long.  When  in  use  they  lay 
near  the  bottom,  and  their  places  are  indicated  by  buoys.  Once 
daily  they  are  drawn  up,  and  the  fish  removed,  which  sometimes 
amount  to  a  barrel  in  ten  rods.  As  the  fish  become  entangled  by 
their. gills,  respiration  ceases,  and  they  are  almost  invariably 
found  drownedf  for  which  reason  they  arf;  justly  considered  iofe- 


c; 


Lyme, 


107 


rior  for  food,  and  more  liable  to  spoil  Mrhen  put  up  for  sale. 
These  nets  are  generally  set  in  November. 

A  small  business  is  done  early  in  spring,  in  fishing  for  pike  in 
seines,  gill  nets,  and  by  spearing,  and  the  shores  and  coves  of 
Chaumont  Bay  have  long  been  the  favorite  resort  ibr  the  disciples 
of  Izaak  Walton,  who  at  most  seasons  find  an  ample  and  inviting 
field  for  the  use  of  the  trolling  line  and  the  speai ;  a  romantic 
cruise  bv  torch  light,  and  inducements  to  lounge  awav  the  lazy 
hours  of  day  light,  with  reasonable  hopes  of  a  nibble.  Pike, 
pickerel,  muskelunge,  perch,  bass  and  sunfish,  are  caught  readily 
by  the  book,  and  the  former  at  all  seasons.  The  seines  used 
here,  are  generally  made  on  the  spot,  of  linen  or  cotton  twine« 
and  cost  from  $10U  to  $300. 

In  1818,  April  15,  a  law  was  passed  reouiring  all  fish  barreled 
for  sale  in  the  county  to  be  inspected  and  branded ;  and  the  size 
of  barrels  and  quantity  of  salt  to  be  used  were  prescribed.  In 
1823,  April  23,  another  law  relating  to  this  subject  was  passed; 
March  8,  1830,  an  additional  inspector  was  appointed,  and  April 
15,  1835,  the  inspection  of  fish  was  discontinued.  Calvin  Lin- 
coln was  appointed  inspector  June  11,  1817;  M.  Evans,  March 
19,  1818;  Benjamin  T.  Bliss,  on  Point  Salubrious  afterwards. 
The  early  laws  were  disregarded,  but  the  latter  strictly  enforced; 
yet  the  restriction  was  always  considered  odious  by  the  fishermen, 
who  sought  many  ways  of  evasion  and  finally  procured  their  re- 
moval. 

Religious  Societies. — The  first  church  in  town  was  formed  on 
Point  Salubrious,  by  Elder  Joseph  Maltby,  of  the  Baptist  order, 
September  25,  1816.  Delegates  from  two  churches  in  Brown- 
ville,  and  Rutland;  and  one  from  Rodman,  Le  Ray,  Lorraine, 
Henderson,  Watertown,  were  present  and  twenty -six  persons 
united.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Thomas  Morgan,  A.  Lawton,  John 
J.  Whitman,  R.  T.  Smith,  L.  Rice,  and  B.  C.  Crandall,  have 
been  successively  employed.  The  First  Baptist  Church  and  Soci- 
ety was  formed  March  6,  1839,  with  Nathaniel  Wells,  Richard 
Guile,  Charles  Wilcox,  Henry  Powers,  Epenetus  Cline,  Isaac 
Wells,  and  Roswell  Herrick,  trustees.  This  Society  built  the 
following  year,  at  Three  Mile  Bay,  a  church  at  a  cost  of  $1800. 

A  Free  Communion  Baptist  Church  was  formed  at  Three  Mile 
Bay  about  1827,  by  Elder  Amasa  Dodge,  but  the  records  could 
not  be  found. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  1841,  ten  members,  being  the  greater  por- 
tion, formed  a  Free  Will  Baptist  Church  under  Elder  Amasa 
Dodge,  since  whom  Elders  Overocker,  McKoon,  Paddkig,  Hart, 
Griffith,  and  Abbey,  have  been  more  or  less  constantly  employed. 
A  society  was  formed  December  18,  1843,  with  Charles  LeonaiJ, 
Rufus  H.  Bartlett,  Henry  Leonard,  William  Northrup,  and  Ckarlea 


908 


OrUant. 


Caswell,  trustees.  A  church  was  built  in  1844,  costing  about 
$1,000.    Present  riumbet  twenty-six. 

The  Peninsula  l^aptir.t  Church  was  formed  about  1834,  and 
has  never  reported  but  twice  to  the  association;  it  numbered 
about  eighteen. 

The  1*  irst  Univcrsalist  Society  of  Chaumont  was  formed  Sep- 
tember 8, 1850,  with  David  Bowman,  Elijah  Graves,  and  Andrew 
Inman,  trustees. 

A  Presbyterian  Church  was  orpran'  .•  iF  a.  Chaumont,  Aug.  31, 
l831,bytheRev.  John  Sessions  ^lu  I  i)  '  '■^  G.  S.  Board  man,  act- 
ing as  a  committee  from  the  Pr»<  ytei)  ot  vvttertown.  It  consisted 
of  18  members,  4  males  and  14  fenn  'cs.  Meetings  for  reading 
sermons,  conference  and  p  yer,  wte  maintained,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Solon  Mas'  v  .ne  of  the  elders,  but  they  had  no 
stated  preaching  until  the  :>uinmer  of  1839,  when  for  a  few  months 
Rev.  Samuel  W.  Leonard  was  employed  for  alternate  sabbaths. 
In  the  summer  of  1841,  Rev.  Wm.  Chittenden  was  employed  for 
a  few  months  in  the  same  manner.  The  present  pastor,  the  Rev. 
J.  A.  Canfield,  commenced  his  labors  on  the  first  sabbath  in 
September,  1842,  preaching  on  alternate  sabbaths,  till  the  fall 
of  1847;  since  that  period  his  whole  time  has  been  devoted 
to  this  church.  A  society  was  formed  March  20,  1844,  with 
Philip  Beasom,  Ozias  Bauder,  and  Jeremiah  Bennet,  trustees, 
who  erected  for  $1500  their  present  house  of  worship,  which 
was  dedicated  on  the  18th  of  September,  1845,  and  their  present 
and  only  pastor  was  ordained  and  installed  at  the  same  time. 
There  is  connected  with  the  society  a  flourishing  sabbath  school, 
of  about  140  scholars,  and  a  library  of  410  volumes. 

A  Methodist  class  was  formed  at  Chaumont,  Dec.  13, 1839,  of 
l9  members.    Meetings  are  held  at  a  school  house. 

Orleans. 

This  town  was  erected  from  Brownville,  April  3,  182],  em- 
bracing Penet's  Square,  and  all  north  of  this  and  west  of  a 
oontn 'laticn  of  the  line  between  lots  No.  6  and  7  of  Penet's 
Squait  k-  tht  St.  Lawrence.  The  f'rst  town  meeting  wasdirected 
to  '  '^  ^di.' .  ,j  house  .tervey  Boutwell.  Much  difficulty  and 
•It  ii'e  hckil  eAiSted  for  several  years,  with  regard  to  the  location 
of  the  town  meetings  in  Brownville,  that  led  to  the  erection  of 
Orleans,  which  name  was  suggested  by  the  celebrity  which  New 
Orleans  had  acquired  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Alexandria  and 
Philadelphia  were  formed  by  the  same  act. 

Swpcrwwor*.— 1822-23,  Amos  Reed;  1824-26,  Wra.  H.  Angel; 
1827,  Woodbridge  C.  George;  1828,  Jesse  *^  Woodward  (four 
years  could  not  be  procured).  1833,  Chesterfield  Persons,  at  a 
ipecial  meeting;  1834,  Wm.  Martin;  1835,  Peter  Dillenback; 


C 


Or4ean». 

1836,  C.  Persons;  1837,  Huniel  C.  Rouse;  1838-89,  John  B. 
Collins;  1840,  C.  Persons;  1841,  Pet,  P.  Folts;  1842,  Jamei 
Green;  1843,  Edmund  M.  EMridge;  1844,  Abram  J.  Smith; 
1846,  Loren  Bushnell;  1816,  A.  J.  Smith;  1847,  D.  C.  Rouse) 
1848-9,  John  N  Rottiers;  1850-53,  Hiram  Dewey. 

By  an  act  oi  Feb.  6, 1840,  all  that  par*  ♦  <"  lay  ton,  north  of  Or- 
leans, and  east  of  the  north  and  south  divis.(uii  me,  between  Clayton 
and  Orleaii!(,  extended  from  the  north-west  >  rner  ot  Orleans  to 
ihe  St.  Lawrence,  was  attached  to  the  latter  ti<        together  with 

Eart  of  Wells  Islami,  and  all  the  smaller  islan«  which  would 
e  embraced  by  a  line,  running  from  the  U  minati  >  of  the  aforr  ■ 
said  division  line,  between  Clayton  and  Or/  us;  t  ence  throu  a 
Eel  Bay  around  the  head  of  Wells  Islan*  to  the  Canada  Une. 
All  that  part  of  Alexandria,  west  o    a  lim      nninp  N.  42"  W., 

th(    atter  town. 
84i 

%,  by  persons 

,p  lands,  there 

"ct    listory  of 

general,  that 

several  years 

'■r  classes,  to 

s  they  were 

soiBC  spring 

a,  and  ap- 

t  choose  to 

on  among 

pos- 


from  the  corner  of  Orleans,  was  also  annexeu  U) 
This  last  was  rtiitored  to  Alexandria,  A])ril  12, 
Improvements  commenced  in  this  town  abor 
who  came  on,  w  ihout  acquiring  title,  and  to 
being  no  resident  agent,  and  a  partial  and  im 
the  title  having  grf  ined  currency,  the  belief  bi .  > 
there  was  no  legal  ^wner  of  the  tract,  which,  it 
after  the  war,  led  g  eat  numbers,  chiefly  of  the  p< 
come  and  select  land  and  make  locations.    In 
governed  by  nothing  but  their  own  choice,  select  in 
or  stream  of  water  11  r  the  vicinity  of  their  dwelh 
propriating  such  lands  to  their  own  use,  as  they  m. 
claim.    These  squatters  had  adopted  a  kind  of  regu 
themselves,  in  relation  to  lands,  were  accustomed  to 


■jake  "• 


session  lines,"  by  lopping  down  bushes,  and  bougm  and  sold 
"  claims"  giving  quit  claim  deeds  for  the  same.  Few  p^  \)anent 
buildings  or  improvements  were  made,  the  settlers  mos  >  living 
in  log  huts,  and  engaged  in  getting  out  oak  staves  and  square 
timber,  and  in  making  potash  or  in  cultivating  the  soil  in  the 
most  slovenly  and  carele-  s  manner.  As  a  natural  consequence, 
this  unprincipeled  course  invited  thither  crowds  of  adventurers 
from  various  quarters,  many  from  the  Mohawk  Country;  rough, 
hardy,  and  enterprising,  w  th  nothing  to  lose  and  every  thing  to 
gain,  accustomed  to  coarse  fare  and  rude  accummodations,  yet  in 
many  respects  just  the  class  to  subdue  a  wilderness.  Schools 
were  estrblished,  a  few  yeais  after  settlement,  and  religious 
societies  were  organized. 

An  account  of  the  legal  ti  ties  of  this  tract  has  been  given,  but 
there  were  sundry  proceedings  under  false  constructions  and 
erroneous  statements  that  deserve  mention.  Penet's  Indiai.  claim 
was  recognized  in  the  treaty  of  September  22,  1788,  and  on  the 
19th  of  November,  1789,  a  patent  was  issued  to  his  attorney, 


210 


Orleans* 


John  Duncan,  of  Schenectady,  and  it  was  subsequently  conveyed 
repeatedly,  as  stated  elsewhere.  In  1807,  John  Wilkes,  one  of 
the  proprietors,  visited  the  tract,  and  is  believed  to  have  been  the 
iirst  of  the  owners  who  traversed  it.  Being  unaccustomed  to  the 
fatigue  of  traveling  in  the  forest,  he  returned  home  disgusted 
with  it,  and  for  sevirral  years  there  was  no  legalized  agent  in  the 
county.  In  1817  (Oct.  17),  the  following  settlers  took  contracts 
on  lots  numbers  66,  75,  86, 87,  and  95,  near  Stone  Mills,  in 
which  vicinity  A.  M.  Prevost  held  lands,  and  had  appointed 
Elisha  Camp,  of  Sackets  Harbor,  as  his  agent.  The  contracts 
run  for  seven  years,  and  the  lands  were  rated  at  $5  per  acre. 
Asa  Hall,  Richard  Taylor,  Frederick  Avery,  Benjamin  and  John 
Taylor,  Wm.  Collins,  Samuel  Linnel,  Solomon  Stowell,  Lester 
White,  Roderick  C.  Fraser,  Wm.  Collins,  Jr.,  Leonard  and  Blake 
Baldwin,  Isaac  Mitchel,  Johij  B.  Collins,  John  Smith,  Ebenezer 
Eddy,  Shepherd  Lee,  Thomas  Lee,  Thomas  Let,  Jr.,  Ebenezer 
Scoville,  Wm.  Guile,  Wm.  Larrabe,  Warren  Hall,  Henry  Arnold, 
Ambrose  Adams  and  John  Page. 

In  1818,  there  prevailed  in  many  sections  of  the  state,  especially 
on  the  Holland  Purchase,  a  clamor  against  those  who  held  large 
tracts  of  land,  and  the  records  of  towns  in  adjoining  counties, 
show  a  disposition  to  impose  heavy  taxes  upon  non  resident 
lands  for  local  or  private  purposes.  The  Holland  Company 
through  fear  of  these  intrigues,  was  induced  to  offer  their  lands 
to  the  state,  as  well  as  to  sell  them  at  low  prices,  and  on  long 
credits.  Doubts  had  arisen  of  the  soundness  of  the  title  derived 
from  Penetj  and  January  16,  1821,  Hippolyte  Penet,  brother  of 
Peter  Penet,  of  Andes,  Delaware  County,  N.  Y.,  sold  to  John  S. 
Le  Tonelier,  of  Schenectady,  for  $  1,  by  quit  claim,  the  whole  tract. 
A  suit  in  chancery  was  instituted,  and  this  deed  set  aside  and 
made  void  by  a  decretal  order  of  the  chancellor,  Samuel  Jones, 
dated  August  2,  1828*  The  uncertaintv  which  these  conflicting 
claims  created  in  the  minds  of  settlers,  led  them,  about  1821,  to 
petition  the  legislature  for  a  direct  grant  of  these  lands  from  the 
state,  which  was  referred  to  a  select  committee  who  reported  the 
evidence  of  title,  as  shown  by  the  records  in  the  secretary's 
office  and  continued:  "  Your  committee  have  also  had  exhibited 
what  purports  to  be  a  copy  of  a  deed  executed  on  the  13th  of 
July,  1790,  by  John  Duncan,  as  the  attorney  of  Peter  Penet,  to 
James  Watson  and  James  Greenleaf,  witnessed  by  John  Plant, 
but  not  proved  or  recorded,  by  which  the  tract  of  ten  miles  square 
is  conveyed  for  the  consideration  of  jC1600.  There  are  various 
claims,  many  of  them  conflicting,  under  the  last  mentioned  deed, 
which  it  was  not  necessary  for  your  committee  to  investigate. 
From  the  statement  they  have  given,  they  think  great  doubt  arises 


Ik   *.A «>. 


.J.  fk     . t%mm 


'tf«a«»ua  i^vsuB  r^  |Mg«  ouu, 


Orleans. 


211 


\vhether  Penet  ever  legally  conveyed  the  land  in  question.  He 
vras  a  native  of  France,  and  died  in  that  country,  and  if  he  left 
heirs  they  must  be  aliens,  although  your  committee  can  not  learn 
that  he  was  ever  married.  Under  all  these  circumstances  your 
committee  are  of  opinion  that  there  are  sufficient  reasons  in  this 
case  to  justiiy  further  inquiry  to  ascertain  whether  the  land  has 
not  escheated  to  this  state,  and  they  recommend^  the  following 
resolution: 

Resolved,  if  the  honorable  the  senate  concur  herein,  th>/:  ^he 
attorney-general  be  directed  to  investigate  the  title  to  the  ten 
miles  square  of  land  granted  to  Peter  Penet,  and  to  institute  pro- 
ceeedinjgs  to  ascertain  whether  the  same  has  escheated  to  this 
state." 

The  attorney-general  made  the  following  report: 

"  The  attorney-general,  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  of 
a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  the  town  of  Brownville, 
in  the  county  of  Jefferson,  called  Penet's  Square,  respectfully 
represents: 

That  the  petitioners  state  that  the  tract  of  land  called  Penet's 
Square  is  situate  in  great  lot  No.  IV,  of  Macomb's  Purchase, 
and  contains  64,000  acres.  That  the  title  to  these  lands  is  '  to 
the  public  generally,  and  to  the  petitioners  in  particular,  alto- 
gether uncertain,'  and  that  there  are  on  the  said  tract  about  320 
families,  or  those  *  who  have  been  induced  to  take  contracts  of 
the  pretended  agents  of  pretended  proprietors;'  and  that  great 
improvements  have  been  made  on  the  same  tract  of  land,  and 
that  the  inhabitants  of  the  same  tract  are  very  solicitous  to  as- 
certain the  real  title  to  the  same.  The  petitioners  therefore  pray, 
1st,  that  some  resolution  or  law  may  be  passed  that  shall  force 
those  who  lay  claim  to  said  tract  of  land,  to  put  the  evidence 
of  their  title  on  the  records  of  the  county  of  Jefferson,  and  2d, 
that  the  surveyor-general,  or  the  commissioners  of  the  land  of- 
fice, may  be  directed  to  report  *  such  information  as  they  mny 
possess,  relative  to  the  title  of  the  said  lands.'  As  to  the  first 
request  of  the  petitioners,  it  is  presumed  that  it  is  not  expected 
of  the  attorney-general  that  he  should  give  any  opinion  as  to  the 
propriety  or  expediency  of  granting  it,  but  as  to  the  second,  the 
attorney-general  has  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  true  title  to 
the  land  in  question,  any  further  than  what  may  be  derived  from 
an  examination  of  all  records  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of 
state.  The  attorney-general  finds  in  such  examination  that  the 
said  tract  called  Penet's  Square  is  not,  as  the  petitioners  express, 
a  part  of  Macomb's  Purchase,  but  a  separate  tract,  granted  by 
the  state  to  Peter  Penet,  by  letters  patent,  dated  the  19th  of  No- 
vember, 1789,  and  the  whole  of  said  tract,  except  21,000,  ap- 
pears to  have  been  conveyed  by  the  said  Penet  tc  one  Jch&  Dum« 


212 


Orhatu. 


can,  formerly  of  Schenectady.  How  the  title  to  the  above  lands 
have  been  subsequently  conveyed,  or  whether  the  same  remains 
with  the  said  Duncan,  or  his  heirs,  the  attorney-general  has  no 
means  of  ascertaining. 
All  of  which  is  respectfulty  submitted. 
^  ThomaS  C.  Oakley,  ^^^omey  Genera/." 

We  have  been  unable  to  learn  the  result  of  these  investiga- 
tioris. 

A  considerable  portion  of  Penet's  Square  had  become  the  pro- 
perty of  John  La  Farge,  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  firm  of 
Russell  &  La  Farse,  as  a  merchant  in  Havre,  and  in  the  course 
of  his  business  had  purchased  a  portion  of  these  lands.  He  sub- 
sequently resided  several  years  in  New  Orleans,  and  about  1824 
came  on  to  assert  his  title  to  this  tract,  but  the  settlers  had,  from 
the  previous  confusion  of  claims,  at  first  but  little  confidence 
in  his  ti<!<>.  In  1824,  a'  meeting  was  held  at  Stone  Mills,  at 
which  a  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  question,  in 
order  to  decide  what  reliance  might  be  placed  in  his  claims. 
Mr.  La  Farge  was  of  course  anxious  to  secure  public  confidence, 
and  cases  soon  occurred  in  which  he  was  afforded  the  oppgrtuni- 
ty  of  proving  his  title  in  the  trial  of  a  suit  which  commenced 
as  an  action  of  ejectment,  against  one  of  the  settlers,  in  which 
he  procured  witnesses  from  Schenectady  and  elsewhere,  at  great 
expense. 

In  1826,  two  or  three  persons  claiming  title  under  Hyppolyte 
Penet,  appeared  at  La  Fargeville,  called  a  meeting  of  citizens, 
and  stated  their  claims,  but  with  no  further  effect  than  to  impair 
the  confidence  of  some  in  the  pretensions  of  others.  These  pro- 
ceedings ended  by  La  Farge's  directing  his  attorney  to  com- 
mence a  prosecution  for  slandering  his  title.  While  the  tract  was 
a  part  of  Brownville,  but  little  attention  had  been  paid  to  the 
taxes,  and  nearly  the  whole  had  been  returned  as  non  resident. 
An  agreement  was  made  May  12, 1827,  between  John  La  Farge 
and  Vinal  Luce,  of  Albany,  and  Philip  Schuyler  of  Saratoga, 
in  which,  for  $75,000,  and  further  covenants  on  the  part  of  the 
last  two.  La  Farge  agreed  to  sell  all  the  real  estate,  contracts, 
leases  and  certificates  mentioned  in  an  annexed  schedule,  subject 
to  all  arrears  of  taxes  due,  or  to  become  due,  with  all  sales  that 
had  been  made  for  such  arrears  of  taxes,  with  four  mortgages, 
&c.*  Under  this  agreement  these  parties  came  on,  and  com- 
menced acting  accordingly,  but  legal  measures  ensued  not  neces- 
sary to  be  here  detailed,  and  William  Smith  of  Watertown  was 
appointed  a  receiver,  to  take  and  hold  moneys  paid  for  lands, 
until  the  question  of  rightful  ownership  should  be  decided.  The 

•J«Arton<l««ds,  Z.  IN. 


Orlearu* 


813 


lands  in  June,  1830,  came  back  to  La  Farge,  who  effected  a 
settlement  with  Schuyler  and  Luce,  and  the  lands  being  sold  for 
taxes  were  conveyed  to  Mr.  La  Farge  by  a  comptroller's  deed. 
This  set  forever  at  rest  the  question  of  title,  by  superseding  all 
that  had  gone  before,  and  thenceforth  settlers  took  contracts 
and  made  payments  with  confidence.  Mr.  La  Farge  adopted 
the  system  of  never  allowing  contracts  to  expire,  and  by  a  course 
then  called  rigid  by  those  who  now  warmly  commend  him  for 
it,  in  a  very  few  years  settled  up  with  the  inhabitants,  and  con- 
veyed by  deeds.  The  result  has  proved  the  truth  of  the  princi- 
ple that  over  indulgence  to  settlers  is  but  mistaken  clemency, 
and  that  promptness  in  meeting  payments  is  the  only  sure  meth- 
od of  escaping  from  the  slavery  of  debt.  Mr.  La  Farge,  about 
1840,  removed  to  New  York,  making  Dr.  John  Binsse  of  Wa- 
tertown  his  agent,*  and  has  since  been  extensively  engaged  in 
heavy  financial  operations.  After  the  dethronement  of  Louis 
Phillippe,  he  was  made  the  agent  of  that  unfortunate  prince  for 
investing  funds  in  American  stocks. 

The  first  settlement  at  La  Fargeville,  was  made  without  title 
by  Dr.  Reuben  Andrus,  of  Vermont,  who  in  1819  erected  a  log 
mill  on  Cat  Fish  Creek  in  the  present  village.  From  this  the 
place  acquired  the  name  of  Log  Mills,  which  it  long  retained. 
In  1820,  a  small  store  was  opened  and  business  gradually  cen- 
tered at  this  point.  On  the  occasion  of  a  Fourth  of  July  cele- 
bration in  1823,  a  resolution  was  passed,  giving  the  place  its 
present  name  of  La  Fargeville.  In  1850  it  contained,  according 
to  the  census  of  Mr.  Rottiers,  50  dwellings,  61  families,  and  312 
inhabitants,  and  this  number  has  not  since  increased.  It  contains 
a  Catholic,  a  Baptist,  and  a  Congregational  church,  an  academy, 
and  its  proportion  of  inns,  stores,  and  mechanic  shops.  La 
Fargeville  is  7  miles  from  Depauville;  6  from  Stone  Mills;  4^ 
from  Omar;  7  from  Clayton;  9  from  Plessis;  9  from  Theresa;  12 
from  Alexandria  Bay;  14  from  Evans' Mills;  18  from  Water- 
town.  Water  lime  was  manufactured  to  a  small  extent  here  in 
1850,  and  an  abundance  of  material  adapted  to  the  purpose 
exists  in  town. 

In  1838,  the  mansion  and  farm  of  Mr.  La  Farge,  one  mile 
south  of  La  Fargeville,  was  purchased  by  Bishop  Dubois,  and  a 
Catholic  seminary,  named  St.  Vincent  De  Paul,  was  opened 
under  Rev.  Francis  Gooth  and  several  assistants.  It  was  de- 
signed to  combine  in  this  a  theological  seminary  for  the  educa- 
tion of  priests,  and  a  classical  boarding  school,  the  more  ad- 
vanced candidates  for  holy  orders  serving  as  teachers,  during 
part  of  the  time.  Most  of  the  boarders  came  from  New  York, 
a  very  few  only  being  from  the  vicinity,  but  after  a  trial  of  two 

•  Sept.  1,  1840,  Jeffarion  deadi,  U.  3,  p.  180. 


fl4 


Orlemu^ 


(! 


and  a  half  years,  it  was  found  that  its  location  was  too  remote, 
and  Bishop  Hughes,  who  succeeded  Dubois,  removed  it  to  the 
vicinity  of  New  York,  where  St.  John's  College  (Fordham), 
was  founded  soon  after.  The  greatest  number  of  students  at  La 
Fargeville  was  15,  and  that  of  persons  more  or  less  employed  in 
teaching,  nearly  as  many. 

Stone  Mills,  P.  0.  (formerly  Collins  Mills,  P.  0.)  is  a  hamlet 
of  a  dozen  houses,  inn,  two  stores,  and  a  few  shops.  Penet 
Square  began  to  be  settled  by  squatters  in  this  vicinity  in  1806. 
The  first  settler  was  Roderick  C.  Frasier.  In  1807,  Peter  Pratt 
made  the  second  location,  and  soon  after  Benajah  and  Merchant 
Carter,  Samuel  and  David  Ellis,  Robert  Bruner  and  others,  some 
of  whom  during  the  war  removed  to  the  denser  settlements.  In 
1813,  a  young  man  was  taken  up  in  the  neighborhood  on  the 
suspicion  that  he  was  a  spy,  and  on  his  attempting  to  escape 
was  shot  and  mortally  wounded,  when  he  confessed  that  he  was 
a  deserter  from  Sackets  Harbor.  About  1820  a  small  stone  grist 
mill  was  built  by  J.  B.  Collins  and  P.  Piatt,  which  suggested 
the  name  of  the  place.  A  plat  of  one  acre  was  here  conveyed 
.  by  De  Rham  to  the  town,  for  the  site  of  public  buildings,  upon 
which  in  1838  a  fine  stone  school  house  was  erected,  and  the 
year  previous  a  Union  Church  of  stone. 

On  Mullet  Creek,  one  and  a  half  miles  from  its  mouth,  is  a 
small  village,  which  was  formerly  named  from  the  stream,  after- 
wards Mudge's  Mills,  and  since  the  establishment  of  a  post 
office  in  1843,  Omar,  the  latter  name  being  taken,  it  is  said, 
from  the  personage  of  Dr.  Johnson's  allegorical  tale,  in  the 
English  Reader.  The  first  settlement  in  the  vicinity  was  by 
Benjamin  Tanner,  about  1818,  and  in  1820  William  and  Treat 
Mudge  erected  a  grist  and  saw  mill.  For  many  years  the  place 
contained  little  else,  and  in  1837  it  had  but  6  houses.  The  first 
store  was  opened  by  Timothy  B.  Stackhouse.  It  now  contains  a 
store,  inn,  grist  mill  and  saw  mills,  a  Methodist  church,  a  few 
shops,  and  about  26  families.  It  is  on  the  edge  of  the  town, 
nearly  two  miles  north  of  Penet's  Square,  and  near  the  line  of 
Alexandria.  At  Fish's  Landing,  at  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  is 
a  wooding  station,  but  a  place  of  little  or  no  trade.  Omar  is  7 
miles  from  Clayton,  7  from  Plessis,  7  from  Alexandria  Bay,  and 
5  from  La  Fargeville. 

Rock  Island  light,  opposite  the  mouth  of  Mullet  Creek,  was 
erected  as  one  of  the  three  beacons  authorized  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence, by  the  act  of  March  3,  1853,*  the  other  two  being  Sunken 
Rock,  near  Alexandria  Bay,  and  Cross-over  Island,  in  Hammond. 

Religious  Societies. — ^The  Baptist  Church  at  La  Fargeville 
was  formed  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Evans,  September  9,  1821, 
of  nine  males  and  nine  females  by  Elder  Sardis  Little,  assisted 


Pamelia. 


815 


of 
is 
is  7 
and 

was 
jaw- 
iken 
ond. 
ville 
821, 
isted 


by  Elder  Timothy  Brewster,  and  Elder  Emory  Osgood,  who  were 
casually  present.  On  the  12th,  a  council  of  advising  brethren 
having  taken  into  consideration  the  situation  and  facts  of  the 
case,  received  them  as  a  gospel  church,  and  gave  them  the  hand 
of  fellowship.  The  First  Baptist  Society  was  formed  June  11, 
1836,  with  Francis  Eppes,  Abijah  Fisher,  Charles  Sexton,  Jo- 
tham  Marshall,  and  Orlando  W.  Cushman,  trustees.  A  church 
was  built  in  La  Fargeville,  in  1837,  at  a  cost  of  |3,200.  The 
first  Union  society  of  Orleans,  was  formed  May  14,  1822,  with 
Peter  Rhems,  Simeon  Meacham  and  Samuel  Warner,  trustees.  A 
church  was  erected  by  this  society  at  a  cost  of  $3000,  in  1840, 
and  dedicated  in  the  fall. 

The  First  Presbyterian  society  in  Orleans  was  formed  April  29, 
1839,  with  John  Mason,  Abram  J.  Smith,  Thomas  E.  Drake, 
Amasa  Johnson,  Robert  T.  Jerome,  trustees.  A  church  bad  been 
formed  in  February  1823,  and  December  30,  1848,  was  changed 
to  Congregational.  A  church  was  built  about  1840,  valued  in 
the  census  of  1850  at  $2,000. 

A  Union  church  was  erected  at  Stone  Mills  in  1837,  at  a  cost 
of  about  $1800,  and  is  owned  by  the  Lutheran,  Baptist,  Method- 
ist and  Christian  sects,  in  equal  shares.  A  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  was  formed  at  La  Fargeville,  September  14,  1833,  with 
Wm.  Hart,  Anson  Squires,  Woodbridge  C.  George,  S.  P.  Hall 
and  Willard  Tarble,  trustees.  It  was  organized  September  14, 
1852.  This  denomination  formed  a  society  in  Omar,  January  22, 
1849,  with  S.  P.  Newton,  J.  C.  Hardy,  P.  Newton,  Wm.  Hayes 
and  H.  M.  Spalsbury,  trustees.  A  Catholic  church  (St.  Vincent 
de  PauH  has  been  built  several  years  at  La  Fargeville.  An 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church  exists  in  this  town,  which  will  be 
'  more  fully  noticed  in  our  account  of  religious  societies. 

Pamelia. 

This  town  derives  its  name  from  that  of  Mrs.  Jacob  Brown, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Pamelia  Williams,  a  daughter  of  Cap- 
tain Jude  Williams,  of  Williamstown,  and  sister  of  Judge  Nathan 
Williams  of  Utica.  The  act  of  incorporation  is  dated  April  12, 
1819,  and  the  first  town  meeting  was  directed  to  be  held  at  the 
school  house,  near  Elias  Wager.  By  an  act  of  April  1,  1824, 
a  small  part  of  Penet's  Square,  south-east  of  Perch  Lake,  was 
annexed  from  Orleans,  which  gave  the  town  its  present  limits. 
The  act  also  directed  the  name  of  the  town  to  be  known,  after 
the  first  of  March  next,  as  Leander;  but  this  clause  was  repealed 
April  9,  1825,  before  the  act  had  taken  effect.  This  change  is 
said  to  have  been  effected  by  a  man,  then  in  the  legislature,  who 
had  a  son  by  that  name. 

The  first  officers  elected  were  John  Stewart,  supervisor;  Henry 


tie 


PameU** 


Gotham,  clerk;  Russel  Weaver,  Benjamin  Still,  Simeon  Wood- 
ruff, assessors;  S.  Woodruff,  B.  Still,  overseers  of  the  poor; 
Alfred  Comins,  S.Woodruff,  B.  Still,  commissioners  oj  highways; 
Horace  Mather,  collector;  Osmon  Banister,  Nehem'ah  Van  Nest, 
Joseph  May9,  commissioners  of  common  schools;  Amos  Eames, 
William  Usher,  R.  Weaver,  John  N.  Gunn,  Baker  Massey,  Charles 
Brown,  Inspectors  of  schools;  Jacob  J.  Greene,  Benjamin  Pease, 
Horace  Mather,  constables. 

Supervisors.— 1820-26,  John  Stewart;  1837-28,  Russel  Wea- 
ver; 1829-30,  Gustavus  A.  Foster;  1831-35,  Bernard  Bagley; 
1836,  Chillingsworth  Colwell;  1837-41,  B.  Bagley;  1842,  Wil- 
liam  Wilson;  1843-45,  Henderson  Howk;  1846-47,  Josiah 
Bonney,  Jr.;  1848-49,  B.  Bagley;  1850,  Abram  M.  Harger; 
1851-52,  Charles  D.  Wright;  1863,  Josiah  Bonney. 

This  town  began  to  settle  at  about  the  same  time  with  Le 
Ray  and  Brownville,  beine  under  the  same  ownership  and 
agency.  In  1799,  two  men  oy  the  name  of  Boshart,  and  Eitts, 
made  a  location  three  miles  from  Watertown,  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  George  Webb;  but  their  families  becoming  discon- 
tented, they  returned  the  same  fall  to  Lewis  County,  where  they 
afterwards  settled.  Pamelia  Village,  opposite  the  lower  part 
of  the  village  of  Watertown,  began  to  settle  about  1804,  upon 
the  building  of  a  bridge;  and  very  soon  after,  a  dam  and  mills 
were  erected  here.  The  place  first  received  the  name  of  Wil' 
Hometown,  which  was  given  it  by  Jacob  Brown,  who  made 
strenuous  efforts  to  secure  the  location  of  the  public  buildings  of 
the  county  here,  when  he  found  they  could  not  be  procured  at 
Brownville.  This  village  is  a  place  of  but  little  business,  except- 
ing its  mills,  distillery,  &c.,  as,  from  its  vicinity  to  Watertown, 
it  is  found  hopeless  to  attract  trade  or  business  to  this  point.  The 
same  applies  to  the  erection  of  churches.  Its  location  is,  how- 
ever, admirably  adapted  for  building,  and  it  is  already  beginning 
to  attract  the  notice  of  those  seeking  eligible  dwellings,  and 
doing  business  in  Watertown.  Several  new  streets  have  been 
recently  opened,  and  the  place  will  doubtless  share  in  the  rapid 
growth  which  the  Capital  exhibits  itself,  and  imparts  to  all 
around  it. 

Pamelia  Four  Corners,  on  the  military  road,  six  miles  from 
Watertown,  and  three  from  Evans' mills,  is  the  centre  of  business 
for  the  country  around,  and  is  the  seat  of  a  post  office. 

Juhelville,  a  suburb  of  Watertown,  opposite  Factory  Village, 
was  named  from  Madame  Cornelia  Juhel,  the  mother  of  Mrs.  V. 
Le  Ray.  It  began  to  assume  importance  after  the  erection  of 
the  upper  dam,  for  the  Hamilton  Manufacturing  Company  in  1836. 
There  are  here  at  present  two  saw  mills,  a  tannery,  carriage 
factory,  pump  factory,  &c.,  and  a  factory  for  making  cotton  yarn. 


Philadelphia* 


217 


age, 
S.V. 
on  of 
836. 
riage 
yarn, 


wicking,  baiting,  carpet  warp  and  twine,  which  was  erected  by 
A.  Anderson,  in  1849.  It  has  a  population  of  about  300,  mostly 
mechanics  or  operatives  in  the  neighboring  establishments.  The 
bank  of  the  river,  below  the  village,  is  cavernous  and  affords 
several  interesting  grottoes.  The  caverns  in  this  town,  opposite 
Watertown  Village  and  adjacent  to  the  river,  possess  much  in- 
terest to  the  geologist  and  will  be  fully  described  in  a  future 
chapter. 

An  act  of  April,  1834,  authorized  a  loan  of  $600  in  Water- 
town,  and  $600  in  Pamelia,  for  rebuilding  bridges,  to  be  repaid 
by  a  tax  in  two  equal  instalments,  and  to  be  expended  by  the 
road  commissioners.  On  the  5th  of  May,  in  the  same  session,  the 
amount  and  propriety  of  these  loans,  if  not  decided  at  the  last 
town  meeting,  might  be  expressed  by  a  special  town  meeting, 
called  for  the  purpose. 

The  Pamelia  Farmer's  Scientific  Library,  was  formed  April  1, 
1822,  having  for  its  first  trustees  John  Steward,  Russell  Weaver, 
Joel  Nims,  Simeon  Woodruff,  Ansel  Mills,  Thomas  Goodrich,  and 
Wm.  Cole. 

Religious  Societies. — The  Union  Church  in  Pamelia  wai 
formed  Nov.  16,  1847,  with  Reuben  Lock,  Jacob  H.  Zoller,  and 
Peter  M.  Salisbury,  trustees.  A  house  of  worship  has  been 
erected  by  this  socie^,  two  miles  from  Pamelia  Four  Corners,  on 
the  road  to  BrownvilTe. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  town  of  Pamelia, 
was  formed  Feb.  29, 1848,  with  James  Jones,  C.  G.  Harger,  Orvis 
Goulding,  Asa  Barnes,  Daniel  Gould,  Jacob  Harwick,  Abraham 
Ogsbury,  and  Joseph  Countryman,  trustees. 

Philadelphia. 

This  town  was  erected  from  Le  Ray,  April  3,  1821,  with  it$ 
present  limits;  the  first  town  meeting  being  held  at  the  house  of 
Harvey  Hamblin.  The  name  of  Elizabethtown  had  been  chosen 
for  this,  but  there  being  one  already  in  the  state,  the  present  one 
was  selected  by  citizens,  who  had  lived  in  or  near  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  Some  proposed  to  name  the  town  Benezet,  after 
the  benevolent  Quaker  of  that  name.  Orleans  and  Alexandria 
were  created  by  the  same  act. 

The  first  town  officers  were,  Alden  Bucklin,  supervisor;  A. 
Bucklin,  Thos.  Bones,  Abial  Shurtliff,  assessors;  John  Strickland, 
Jr.,  clerk;  Wm.  Bones,  collector;  John  Townsend,  J.  Strickland, 
Jr., poormaiters;  J.  Townsend,  Cadwallader  Child, Abiel Shurt- 
liff, commissioners  highways;  David  Mosher,  J.  Strickland,  Jr. 
J.  Bones,  commissioners  schools;  Wm.  Bones,  constable;  James 
Bones,  C.  Child,  J.  R.  Taylor,  injectors  scJiools.  There  being 
but  very  few  inhabitants  with  property  qualifications  sufficient 

15 


218 


Philadelphia. 


for  voting  and  holding  office,  an  act  was  procured,  March  29, 
1822,  reducing  these  qunlifications  to  the  possession  of  a  contract 
for  lands,  and  property  or  improvement  worth  $'160;  the  custom- 
ary oath  of  oncers,  concerning  freehold,  was  to  be  omitted. 

Supervisors. — 1822,  Alden  Bucklin;  1823-26,  Harvey  Ham- 
blin;  1827,  John  R.  Taylor;  1829-31,  Benjamin  Jackman;  1832, 
Hiram  Hinman;  1833,  Henry  W.  Marshall;  1834-36,  Jesse 
Smith;  1837,  Miles  Strickland;  1838,  Wm.  Skinner;  1839,  M. 
Strickland;  1840,  Geo.  Walton;  1841,  Jesse  Smith;  1842,  M. 
Strickland:  1843,Johni\Latiraore;  1844-46,  Azei  W.Danforth; 
1847,  Lyman  Wilson;  1848-9,  Smith  Bockus;  1850,  Geo.  Fra- 
sier;  1850-51,  Wm.  Skinner;  1852-53,  Alden  Adams. 

The  circumstances  of  the  first  settlement  of  this  town,  are 
interesting  from  their  peculiarity,  and  will  be  given  more  in 
detail,  as  they  form  the  only  instance  in  our  local  history,  of  an 
attempt  to  convey  lands  by  leases,  in  perpetuity,  and  illustrate  in 
a  small  way,  the  evils  growing  out  of  the  system. 

In  1802,  Jacob  Brown,  then  residing  at  Brownville  Village, 
as  the  agent  of  Mr.  Le  Ray,  communicated  with  his  former  friends 
and  neighbors,  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  Delaware 
River  and  near  the  locality  of  Penn's  Manor,  a  description  of  the 
country,  its  soil,  climate,  and  advantages.  Early  in  the  summer 
of  1803,  Joseph  Child,  Sen.,  with  Moses  M^on,  and  his  son  James 
Moon,  came  from  Bucks  County,  explored  the  territory,  now 
embraced  in  Le  Ray  and  Philadelphia,  and  the  former  made  a 
definite  selection  of  about  twelve  hundred  acres,  immediately 
south'West  of  where  Le  Raysville  now  is,  at  which  place  Benjamin 
Brown  and  family  were  then  residing.  The  favorable  report 
which  these  pioneers  carried  back,  induced  several  of  their  neigh- 
bors to  resolve  upon  trying  their  fortunes  in  the  "new  country," 
and  led  the  way  to  the  formation  of  a  company,  and  the  following 
associated  purchase. 

The  lots  were  to  be  sold  in  sixteen  shares,  according  to  the 
number  affixed  to  each  subscriber's  name,  at  the  rate  of  $3  per 
acre,  payable  in  five  installments,  with  six  per  cent  interest,  and 
ten  per  cent  deducted  for  ready  pay.  The  lands  were  to  be  of  as 
good  quality  as  lots  629  to  632,  in  ail  1760  acres,  previously 
bought  by  Joseph  Child,  and  Moses  Comfort,  and  if  they  should 
not  be  found  as  good  in  the  opinion  of  Jacob  Brown,  Jonas 
Smith,  and  Richard  Coxe,  an  additional  quantity  was  to  be  given. 
Le  Ray  agreed  before  the  next  December  to  make  a  wagon  road 
from  the  Post  Road  (at  Champio:.)  through  the  said  tract  to  the 
St.  Lawrence.  The  parties  purchasing  were  to  divide  the  tract 
between  themselves  before  the  25th  of  next  April.  On  the  1st  of  May 
1804,  a  deed,*  conveying  lot  No.  611,  was  executed  to  the  persons 


*  Oneida  dseds,  Book  6.  p.  25, 


Philadelphia. 


fil9 


are 


now 


yiven. 
road 
to  the 
e  tract 
ofMay 
)ersons 


above  named,  in  trust  "for  the  promotion  of  religion  and  learning, 
that  is  to  say,  for  the  purpose  uf  erecting  thereon  and  supporting 
a  meeting  house,  for  the  society  of  the  people  called  Quakers, 
and  a  school  or  schools  for  the  education  of  children,  in  useful 
learning,  to  be  under  the  care  and  direction  of  the  said  society, 
and  of  a  monthly  meeting  of  said  people,  when  such  meeting 
shall  be  there  established,  and  for  such  other  useful  purposes,  as 
the  said  meeting  may  direct." 

On  the  16th  of  February,  1804,  James  D.  Le  Ray,  then  liv- 
ing in  Burlington,  N.  J.,  and  being  personally  acquainted  with 
several  of  the  parties,  executed  an  agreement  with  Mordecai 
Taylor,*  Robert  Comfort,f  Thomas  and  John  Townsend,t  Abra- 
ham Stockton,!  Charles  £llis,|  Cadwallader  Child,§  Moses 
Corafort,§  Israel  Knight,t  Benjamin  Rowland,!  John  Jones,  Ja- 
son Merrick,§  and  David  Evans,  all  but  Merrick  being  Quakers, 
to  sell  sixteen  lots  in  great  tract  No.  IV,  of  440  acres  each,  viz: 
529,  640,  542,  643,  574,  575,  576,  578,  579,  644,  643,  647, 
646,  674,  675,  677,  678,  and  "  for  the  encouragement  of  reli- 
gion and  learning,"  gave  to  the  parties  above  named,  lot  No. 
611,  of  440  acres,  to  support  a  meeting  house  and  school. 

In  pursuance  of  the  above  agreement,  twenty-five  lots,  or  five 
ranges  of  five  lots  each,  which  lay  together,  in  a  rectangular 
tract,  the  central  lot  ^eing  at  the  present  village  of  Philadelphia, 
the  whole  of  which,  with  the  water  power  of  the  place,  being 
upon  it.  The  situation 
of  these  lots  is  shown 
in  the  annexed  plan,  in 
which  G  is  lot  611, 
given,  S,  the  sixteen 
lots  sold,  and  R,  the 
eight  lots  reserved.  It 
will  be  seen  that  the 
lots  sold  were  in  the 
corners  of  the  tract,  and  it  was  doubtless  the  intention  of  the 
proprietor  to  receive  an  advanced  price  on  them,  sufficient  to 
cover  the  value  of  the  central  lot. 

When  the  bargain  was  completed,  in  May,  1804,  Mordecai 
Taylor  and  Cadwallader  Child,(|  two  of  the  purchasers,  with 
Samuel  Evans,  came  north,  traveling  from  Albany  on  horse- 
back, crossing  Black  River  near  the  present  village  of  Felt's 
Mills,  and  Mr.  Childs,  by  agreement  with  Le  Ray,  repaired  to 
Brownville  to  consult  with  Jacob  Brown  in  respect  to  the  sur- 

*0f  Montgomery  county,  Pa.  tOf  Philadelphia  county,  Pa. 

X  Of  Burlington,  N.  J.  $  Of  Bucks  county,  Pa. 

II  Mr.  Child  was  born  in  Plummsted,  Pa.,  August  18,  177G;   was  employed 
in  teaching  seven  years  previous  to  1804;  acted  many  years  as  a  surveyox  far 
'  Mr.  Le  Ray,  and  died  in  this  town  April  3,  1851. 


s 

S 

R             S 

s 

s 

s 

R 

8 

s 

1 

R 

R 

G 

R 

R 

8 

s 

R 

8 

8 

S 

s 

R 

S 

8 

'  i 


£90 


Philadelphia. 


m 


yeys  to  be  made  for  roads.  With  the  requisite  party  to  assist,  he 
returned  to  Le  Raysville,  and  from  the  hill  north  ot  that  village, 
not  far  from  where  the  stone  Methodist  Meeting;  House  formerly 
stood,  he  followed  a  line  of  lots  of  Brodhead's  survey,  to  the 
south  corner  of  the  centre  lot,  and  down  Black  Creek  to  its 
junction  with  Indian  River,  then  called  the  West  Branch  of  the 
Oswegatchie. 

It  was  now  in  the  month  of  June.  One  of  the  purchasers, 
only,  was  upon  the  tract,  with  four  assistants,  as  chainmen,  axe- 
men, and  packman,  among  whom  were  Michael  Coffeen  and 
Solomon  Parker.  Their  first  encampment  was  near  the  present 
.  grist  mill.  The  first  line  for  a  road  passed  south-west  of  Theresa 
Falls,  striking  the  St.  Lawrence  some  distance  above  the  present 
village  of  Alexandria  Bay,  where  their  provisions  being  ex- 
hausted, th'i/  purcha&ed  from  a  Canada  raf^  that  was  passing  a 
sufficient  supply.  Aii&t  examining  the  shore,  they  selected  the 
site  for  the  present  village  at  the  Bay,  and  on  their  return  lo- 
cated whfit  has  since  been  known  as  the  Alexandria  Road, 
crossing  Indian  River  at  the  present  lower  bridge  at  Theresa 
Village.  Aroad  was  continued  to  the  Black  River,  at  the  Great 
Bend.  The  summer  was  mostly  consumed  in  these  surveys,  and 
in  the  fall,  with  the  aid  of  Thomas  Ward  and  Samuel  Child,  Mr. 
C.  Child  began  a  clearing  upon  his  lot  (No.  644),  and  erected 
a  cabin  south  of  the  small  creek,  and  west  of  the  Alexandria 
Road,  the  first  spot  cleared  in  town.  Late  in  the  same  fall,  John 
Petty  began  his  improvements,  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road 
from  where  John  T.  Strickland  now  resides,  having  previously 
lived  a  year  or  two  in  Le  Ray.  The  two  Townsends,  J.  Mer- 
rick* and  R.  Comfort,  came  on  the  same  year,  or  the  next.  Of 
the  other  trustees  of  the  central  lot,  Knight,  Taylor,  M.  Com- 
fort, and  Rowland,  came  on,  but  did  not  take  up  their  perma- 
nent resid^ce  here,  and  Jones,  Ellis,  Stockton  and  Evans  never 
came.  It  was  doubtless  the  intention  of  both  the  grantor  and 
grantees,  that  the  centre  lot  should  be  for  the  benefit  of  all  who 
should  at  any  time  thereafter  reside  on  any  or  all  of  the  twenty- 
five  lots.  The  sixteen  lots  subscribed  were  drawn  by  ballot, 
when  each  entered  into  an  agreement  by  himself  for  the  lots 
drawn. 

The  settlers  of  the  first  year  returned  back  to  winter,  and  on 
the  2d  of  February,  1805,  a  meeting  was  held,  all  but  four  be- 
ing present,  who,  by  a  written  agreement,  named  Robert  Com- 
fort, Cadwallader  Child,  Thomas  and  John  Townsend,  and  Jason 
Merrick,  as  trustees  of  the  lot  in  trust,  a  part  of  which  they  di- 
rected to  be  laid  out  in  ten  acre  lots,  and  leased  gratuitously  for 
ten  years,  to  any  person  who  would  settle  and  clear  the  same, 

*  Mr.  M.  died  in  town  August  3,  184C,  aged  78. 


Philadelph' 


231 


and  build  a  log  or  framed  house,  eightecii  feet  square,  within 
four  years. 

Daniel  Coflfeen  settled,  about  1804,  near  and  south  of  the  four 
corners,  nearStcrlingvillc,  and  in  1805,  several  of  the  purchas- 
ers came  on,  and  Mr.  C.  Child  spent  the  summer  in  surveys  of 
roads  and  farms.  During  the  summer  he  had  cleared  the  land 
where  the  present  residence  of  Alden  Adams  and  the  post  office 
stand,  and  in  the  fall  sold  the  improvement  to  Josiah  Walton, 
who  erected,  on  tlie  site  of  the  post  office,  a  small  frame  bam, 
the  first  frame  erected  in  town.  The  same  spring  Thomas  Town- 
send  came  on,  bringing  with  him  Josiah  Walton,  Daniel  Rob- 
erts, Thomas  Coxe,  and  Thomas  Gilbert,  and  during  the  summer 
erected  a  bridge  over  Indian  River,  about  twenty-five  rods  below 
the  present  one,  cleared  land  about  the  grist  mill,  extending  up 
the  river,  and  north  of  the  Antwerp  road,  built  himself  a  block 
house  on  the  south  side  of  the  brick  house  erected  by  the  late 
Edmund  Tucker,  and  a  log  house  for  John  Townsend,  on  the 
site  of  the  Samuel  Case  tavern,  now  owned  by  James  Kirkbride. 
T.  Townsend  and  Gilbert  returned  to  Pennsylvania  to  winter. 
John  Townsend  and  Robert  Comfort  had  removed  with  their 
families  in  the  fall  of  1805,  arriving  in  September,  and  with  J. 
Walton  and  Daniel  Roberts,  were  the  first  families  to  remain 
through  the  winter  at  the  Friend's  Settlement.  In  the  fall  of 
1805,  John  Townsend  sowed  the  first  winter  wheat.  Thomas 
Townsend  removed  his  family  in  the  spring  of  1806,  accompa- 
nied by  Benjamin  Gilbert,  Stephen  Roberts  and  family.  Robert 
Comfort  built  near  the  bank  of  Indian  River,  below  Dr.  Carpen- 
ter's house,  and  kept  the  first  house  of  entertainment. 

In  1807,  a  fever  prevailed  in  the  settlement.  Two  daughters 
of  Robert  Comfort  and  a  son  of  Jason  Merrick  died,  being  the 
first  buried  at  the  present  burying  ground. 

John  Strickland,  Junior,  came  on  in  the  fall  of  1807,  viewed 
the  country,  returned  south,  and  moved  his  family  upon  the 
farm  now  occupied  by  John  Townsend.  Tn  the  spring  of  1808, 
Joseph  Bolton  and  family  had  joined  the  settlement,  Robert  Com- 
fort removing  to  his  farm  in  1807.  In  April,  1809,  Ezra  Comley 
moved  upon  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Selh  Strickland,  and  soon 
after,  the  same  year,  John  Strickland,  Senior,  arrived,  purchased 
the  mills  and  improvements  of  Thomas  and  John  Townsend. 
John  moving  to  his  own  farm,  Thomas  purchased,  built  and  moved 
on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Wra.  Allis. 

The  first  school  kept  at  the  settlement  was  in  the  chamber  of 
the  house  of  John  Strickland,  Senior  (purchased  of  Thomas  Town- 
send),  Anna  Comstock,  teacher.  The  Society  of  Friends  erected 
their  first  meeting  house  in  1810,  yet  standing  and  occupied  as 
a  dwelling  house.  For  seventeen  years  it  served  the  purpose  of 
school  and  meeting  house. 


223 


Philadelphia. 


As  the  given  name  of  individuals,  is,  among  the  Society  of 
Friends,  prominentl)  regarded,  it  may  ntlbrd  an  interest  to  give 
those  of  the  wives  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  ])lac(',  the  nio<>t 
of  wliom  were  of  that  denomination:  The  \\il'(  of  Robert 
Comtort  was  Mary;  of  John  Townsend,  JlssenatU;  of  Thonaas 
Townsend,  Elizabeth;  of  Jason  Merrick,  Elizabeth;  of  John 
Strickland,  Jr.,  Rachel;  of  Ezra  Coinley,  Sarah;  of  Joseph  Bolton, 
Jane;  of  Stephen  Roberts,  June/  of  John  Strickland,  sen.,  JV/ar- 
garet. 

A  feat  of  female  visiting  in  this  town,  that  occurred  in  the 
summer  of  1806,  may  be  worthy  of  record,  as  illustrating  the 
enterprise  of  the  age,  and  by  way  of  contrast  with  the  present 
day.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  and  Assenath  Townsend,  and  Mrs.  Jane 
Roberts,  on  this  occasion,  their  husbands  being  busy  at  their 
farms,  made  a  visit  on  foot,  to  friends  in  the  town  of  Le  Ray,  by 
way  of  the  pine  plains,  a  distance  of  eleven  miles  through  a 
thick  forest,  and  with  scarcely  a  trace  of  a  road,  and  that  more 
traversed  by  wild  beasts  than  human  beings.  A  faithlul  dog 
\vas  their  vigilant  escort  in  the  lonely  journey.  In  returning,  they 
were  conveyed  in  the  wagon  of  Joseph  Child,  at  whose  bouse 
they  had  visited. 

Having  briefly  noticed  n  few  events  connected  with  the  first 
settlement  of  this  town,  ve  will  return  to  our  account  of  the 
centre  lot,  to  which  allusion  has  been  made.  During  fifteen 
years,  about  a  quarter  of  the  lot  had  been  improved,  under  the 
short  leases.  In  the  summer  of  1815,  the  Le  Ray  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Friends  was  formed,  and  it  early  became  the  wish 
of  the  five  trustees  to  make  this  meeting  the  assignee  of  their 
trust,  but  this  could  not  be  done  without  an  act  of  incorporation, 
which  they  refused  to  apply  for.  On  the  11th  of  April,  1816, 
the  monthly  meeting  appointed  a  committee  of  six,  viz:  Daniel 
Child,  Richard  Hallock,  Joel  Haworth,  John  Strickland,  Jr., 
William  Barber,  and  Joseph  Child,  Jr.,  to  meet  with  and  assist 
the  trustees  in  the  management  of  the  lot,  and  they  the  same 
year  reappointed  four  of  the  trustees,  the  fifth  (Merrick)  not 
being  a  member  of  their  society,  but  continuing  to  act.  R.  Cora- 
fort  and  T.  Townsend,  quit  claimed  to  C.  Child,  and  J.  Townsend, 
June  9th,  1823,*  their  interest  in  the  centre  lot,  and  at  various 
periods  between  October  1st,  1823,  and  1838,  the  whole  440 
acres,  had  been  leased  out  in  about  40  lots,  or  parcels,  at  annual 
rents  averaging  less  than  $  1  per  acre  forever.  The  society  oc- 
casionally appointed  committees  to  notice  the  trustees  requests, 
and  July  7th,  1825,  named  Edmund  Tucker,  Daniel  Child,  and 
J.  Strickland,  Jr.,  to  procure  quit  claims  from  those  named  in 
the  deed  of  Le  Ray.    They  afterwards  Ibund  that  these  could 

*  Jeffurioa  Deadi. 


Philadelphia. 


223 


of 


not  all  be  procured.  Taylor  refused  to  quit  claim,  and  Stockton 
and  Evans  had  died,  leavinf;  minor  heiiu  Ellis,  M.  Comfort, 
Jones,  UowlamI,  and  the  heirs  of  Knight,  did  quit  claim*  to  the 
committee  above  named.  J.  Townsend,  Merrick  and  Child,  de- 
clined to  quit  claim  until  the  ethers  could  be  obtained.  In  1828, 
the  Quakers  here  became  divMed  by  the  doctrines  of  Elias 
Hicks,  Tucker  and  Strickland  oi:  one  side,  and  D.  Child  with 
the  orthodox.  C.  Child,  J.  Townsend,  and  J.  Merrick,  trustees, 
being  also  with  the  orthodox.  In  1837,  D.  Child  quit  claimed 
to  J.  Townsend  and  C.  Child,  his  right.  The  orthodox  sect  have 
alone  claimed  and  exercised  the  care  of  the  centro  lot.  Ct 
Child,  J.  Townsend,  and  J.  Merrick,  wishing  to  be  relieved  from 
the  care  of  the  trust,  applied  to  the  monthly  meeting  to  have 
successors  appointed,  and  March  9th,  1843,  Samuel  G.  Slocum, 
of  Le  Ray,  and  Robert  Townsend  and  Naylor  Child,  of  Philadel- 
phia, were  named  us  trustees,  who,  August  5th,  1843,  received 
a  conveyance,!  and  executed  a  declaration  of  trust.  N.  Child 
in  1844  made  S.  G.  Slocum  his  attorney,  but  this  was  revoked 
May  1st,  1845.t  On  the  9th  of  January,  1845,  the  Le  Ray 
Monthly  Meeting  had  directed  the' trustees  to  quit  claim  to  most 
of  the  occupants  on  the  centre  lot,  for  $1,250  under  which  direc- 
tion Slocum  and  Townsend,  liavesubsequently  quit  claimed  most 
of  the  leased  lots,  N.  Child  not  concurring.  The  meeting 
adopted  this  course  in  consequence  of  an  anti-rent  movement  be- 
ginning as  early  as  1835,  and  resulting  in  combination  on  the 
part  of  the  tenants  to  resist  the  payment  of  rents,  claiming  that 
after  building  and  keeping  up  a  meeting  house,  the  balance  was 
to  go  to  support  a  school  for  the  use  of  the  tenants;  that  they 
should  have  a  voice  in  its  manageioent,  and  that  thry  were  the 
beneliciaries  of  the  trust,  with  the  power  of  dictating  to  the 
trustees. 

The  origin  of  the  anti-rent  movement  at  this  place,,  may 
mainly  be  traced  to  the  fact,  that  original  leases  had  been  sub- 
divided, subleased  to  several  parties,  and  again  conveyed  re- 
peatedly, and  these  transfers  not  being  legally  known  to  the 
trustees,  the  latter  claimed  the  right,  and  in  one  or  two  instances 
attempted  to  distrain  tor  rent  the  property  of  one  of  the  tenants, 
to  pay  the  arrears  due  on  the  lot  of  which  he  occupied  but  a 
part.  This,  in  the  view  of  the  tenants,  led  to  the  dangerous 
principle  that  a  man's  property  was  liable  to  he  seized  for  his 
neighbjr^s  debts,  and  was  followed  by  a  spirit  of  resistance  in 
which  nearly  every  tenant  participated.  Meetings  were  held, 
articles  of  union  were  drawn  up,  in  which  they  mutuahy  pledged 
themselves  to  sustain  legal  measures  until  a  final  settlement,  and 


I 


*  Jefferson  Deedi,  A.  2,  p.  121. 
t  JtSumuk  DMda,  b.  77,  p.  499. 


tJefferson  Deeds,  X  3,  p.  23. 


,! 


234 


Philadelphia. 


Jesse  Smith,  John  F.  Latimore,  and  Samuel  Rogers,  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  represent  their  interests  in  the  matter. 
There  had  been,  moreover,  an  unwillingness  on  the  part  of  the 
old  trustees  of  the  lot  to  submit  an  account  of  their  expenditures, 
as  they  claimed  that  to  them  and  them  alone  had  been  confided 
the  care  of  the  trust,  and  that  they  were  amenable  only  to  the 
meeting  for  its  faithful  execution.  Several  instances  of  appa- 
rent application  of  the  rents  to  private  purposes  were  produced, 
and  specified  in  legal  proceedings  that  ensued,  and  to  such  extent 
had  these  proceedings  led,  that  the  parties  of  the  league  pro- 
fessed their  readiness  to  expend  their  fortunes  in  suits  of  law, 
rather  than  submit  to  the  payment  of  rents.  A  few  went  farther, 
and  threatened  abuse  and  violence  to  the  persons  and  property  of 
Quakers,  and  their  meeting  house  presented  marks  of  depreda- 
tion and  pollution  committed  in  the  night  time. 

The  society  had  in  March,  1844,  petitioned  for  a  law  author- 
izing the  trustees  to  sell  the  centre  lot,  which  was  referred  by 
the  senate  to  the  attorney  general  for  an  opinion,  who  decided* 
"  thr  ■  it  is  not  competent  for  any  court,  or  even  the  legislature 
itselt,  to  add  to  or  diminish  from  the  estate  thereby  created,  or 
to  change  the  nature  of  the  trust,  or  to  confer  authority  upon  the 
trustees  to  convey  the  legal  estate  discharged  of  this  trust,  thus 
annexed  to  it."  In  consequence  of  this  opinion  the  legislature 
declined  acting,  and  so  informed  the  petitioners.  This  opinion 
was  sustained  substantially  by  those  of  several  eminent  legal 
gentlemen. 

In  the  final  settlement,  about  twenty-five  quit  claim  deeds  were 
given  by  the  new  trustees,  two  or  three  tenants,  members  of  the 
meeting,  declining  to  receive  them.  All  arrears  of  rent  were 
paid  up  to  April  1,  1844.  Whatever  may  be  the  legal  force  of 
these  proceedings,  they  appear  to  be  satisfactory  to  those  most 
interested,  and  warranty  deeds  are  freely  given  and  received  for 
the  lands  which  quiet  possession  for  the  constitutional  period 
will  probably  confirm.  The  first  school  was  on  the  centre  lot, 
and  mostly  supported  by  rents,  and  for  several  years  it  drew 
money  as  a  school  district.  In  1838,  dissensions  having  arisen 
from  the  rival  claims  of  the  district  trustees  and  the  Quakers,  in 
the  employment  of  teachers,  a  school  house  was  built  by  the  dis- 
trict, with  a  tax  in  the  usual  way.  The  income  of  rents  formerly 
amounted  to  about  $280,  which  made  the  schools  free.  Th;  >  has 
now  been  reduced  to  from  $50  to  $60. 

In  1805  it  was  agreed  by  the  trustees  of  the  centre  lot,  that  J. 
and  T.  Townsend  should  have  the  use  of  a  lot  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
acres  of  land  covering  the  falls,  free  of  rent,  twenty  years,  on 
which  to  erect  a  mill  for  the  benefit  of  the  settlement.     A  saw 


*  Senate  Doc.  1844,  No.  115,  p.  3. 


IW 


Philadelphia. 


225 


and  grist  mill,  under  the  same  roof,  was  accordingly  built  in 
1805,  James  Parker  being  the  millwright,  for  the  two  Townsend 
brothers,  at  this  place.  The  village  slowly  increased  in  popu- 
lation, and  in  1827  numbered  seventeen  families,  and  about 
a  dozen  houses.  It  now  has  two  inns,  three  stores,  two  saw 
mills,  one  grist  mill,  three  wagon  shops,  one  machine  shop, 
two  shingle  machines,  one  cabinet  maker,  one  cooper,  three 
blacksmiths,  one  tinner,-  and  about  fifty  families.  The  village  is 
six  miles  from  Theresa,  six  from  Antwerp,  seven  from  Evans' 
Mills,  four  from  Sterlingville,  and  eleven  from  Ox  Bow.  The 
Potsdam  and  Watertown  Rail  Road  at  this  place,  is  crossed  by 
the  surveyed  lines  of  the  Utica  and  Rome  Kail  Roads,  and  the 
fine  water  power  which  Indian  River  here  presents,  will  afford 
an  eligible  point  for  the  investment  of  manufacturing  capital. 

To  the  lover  of  romantic  scenery,  the  falls  and  ravines  below, 
present  attractions  of  much  interest,  and  in  the  spring  floods,  the 
scene  becomes  one  of  singular  grandeur  and  beauty. 

Cyrus  Dodge,  an  innkeeper  at  the  village,  was  instantly  killed 
by  the  bursting  of  a  cannon  on  the  4th  of  July,  1829.  This 
melancholy  accident,  resulting  from  rashly  charging  the  piece 
with  stones  and  grass,  checked  the  festivities  of  the  occasion  and 
spread  a  gloom  through  the  settlement. 

In  1807,  a  saw  mill,  known  as  the  De  Launey*  Mill,  was 
built  for  Le  Ray,  on  Black  Creek,  a  mile  and  a  half  above  the 
present  village  of  Sterlingville,  and  in  1824,  a  saw  mill  was 
erected  at  the  latter  place,  for  Edmund  Tucker,  by  Hamblin  and 
Crofoot,  which  was  the  first  improvement  here.  About  1834,  a 
second  saw  mill  was  built,  adjacent  to  the  present  forge,  and  in 

1836,  there  were  but  three  dwellings  in  this  vicinity. 

In  1837,  the  iron  mines  in  Antwerp,  on  the  farm  of  Hopestill 
Foster,  having  been  discovered,  and  sufficiently  explored  to  war- 
rant the  belief  of  their  permanence  and  value,  Mr.  JameS 
Sterling,  who  had  previously  been  engaged  in  the  Rosise  furnace, 
and  who  had  purchased  an  extensive  interest  in  the  mine,  origin- 
ated the  project  of  establishing  a  furnace  on  Black  Creek,  and 
organized  a  company,  under  the  general  act,  Oct.  31, 1837,  under 
the  name  of  the  Sterling  Iron  Company,  with  a  capital  of 
$20,000,  in  shares  of  $100  each.  The  persons  named  in  the 
articles  of  association,  were  Orville  Hungerford,  James  Sterling, 
George  Walton,  Caleb  Essington,  and  George  C.  Sherman.  A 
quarter  furnace  was  erected,  early  the  same  year,  and  in  June, 

1837,  the  first  blast  commenced,  using  cold  air,  and  from  inex- 
perience in  the  management  of  the  ore,  not  proving  very  success- 
ful.   The  first  blast  continued  three  months,  and  made  twelve 

*  From  Mr.  De  L.,  a  bookkeeper  for  Le  Ray,  since  of  the  firm  of  De 
Launey,  Luyt  and  Burzee,  of  Havre, 


220 


Philadelphia. 


tons  per  week.  The  second  continued  five  months,  at  about  the 
same  rate  of  yield,  and  the  third  blast,  commencing  Sept.  10, 
1838,  was  protracted  to  a  year  and  Jif teen  days,  a  length  of  time, 
without  a  parallel  among  the  furnaces  in  this  section  of  the  state. 
At  its  close  a  public  dinner  was  served  up  to  the  hands  employed 
about  the  furnace,  at  the  expense  of  ti.e  proprietors. 

About  1838,  an  apparatus  lor  heating  the  air  was  introduced, 
and  continued  about  six  years,  since  which  the  cold  blast  has 
been  alone  used,  which  is  found  to  make  an  iron  of  a  better 
quality,  and  one  capable  of  being  chilled*  that  renders  it  admir- 
ably adapted  to  car  wheels,  for  which  it  is  mostly  used.  This 
company  after  continuing  less  than  three  years,  was  given  up, 
aad  a  new  one,  styled  the  Philadelphia  Iron  Company,  witu  a 
capital  of  $15,000,  was  formed,  under  the  same  general  act. 
May  19,  1840,  with  F.  Van  Ostrend,  Ephraim  Taylor,  George 
Dickerson,  William  Skinner,  and  John  Gates,  the  parties  nan>ed 
in  the  articles  of  association.  This  company  has  also  ceased  to 
exist,  but  the  business  has  been  since  continued,  under  different 
names,  but  always  with  James  Sterling  as  the  efficient  mover, 
'  and  it  is  now  conducted  by  him  and  his  associates,  with  much 
success.  * 

The  principal  ore  employed  is  from  the  Sterling  Iron  Mine,  in 
Antwerp,  twelve  miles  distant,  from  whence  it  is  drawn  at  a  cost 
of  $'1  per  ton.  Bog  ores  from  Wilna  and  Philadelphia,  and  a 
sl'^iy  lean  ore  from  the  Fuller  and  Shurtliff  mines  in  this  town, 
near  the  line  of  Theresa,  have  been  used  to  some  extent.  The 
latter  is  still  used  from  necessity,  as  a  flux  only,  for  which,  from 
the  lime  contained,  it  is  found  to  be  well  adapted. 

In  1841  the  furnace  was  rebuilt;  in  May  1849  it  was  burned, 
and  it  has  been  recently  rebuilt.  The  size,  when  erected,  was 
twenty  six  feet  square,  thirty  two  feet  high,  with  an  inside  diameter 
of  seven  feet,  which  has  been  since  more  or  less  varied.  It  has 
been  lined  with  sandstone  from  Louisburgh,  Antwerp,  and 
Theresa. 

The  yield  of  Sterling  ore  is  from  forty  to  forty-five  per  cent, 
and  the  product  of  the  furnace  has  now  become  from  four  to  five 
tons  daily.  For  several  seasons,  the  furnace  has  been  run  upon 
contract,  the  proprietor  furnishing  the  works  and  the  ore,  while 
the  contractor  supplies  the  labor  and  fuel. 

A  forge  was  erected  at  this  village,  about  1839,  by  Caleb 
Essington,  and  has  been  since  more  or  less  constantly  used  for 
refining,  no  ore  being  used. 

'•'he  iron  manufacture  is  the  leading  business  of  Sterlingville, 
which  is'  a  village  of  about  sixty  families,  and  has   besides  the 


*  A  term,  used  to  denote  the  property  of  becoming  coarsely  crystaline, 
white,  and  very  hard,  when  cast  in  contact  with  a  cold  metallic  surfaeCk 


Philadelphia. 


227 


furnace  and  forge,  two  taverns,  two  stores,  two  saw  mills,  and 
several  mechanic  shops.  It  is;  by  plank  road  seven  and  a  half 
miles  from  Antwerp,  and  five  from  Great  Bend;  and  by  common 
roads,  four  miles  from  Philadelphia,  five  from  Le  Raysville,  six 
from  Evans'  Mills,  fourteen  liom  Watertown  and  ten  from 
Carthage. 

In  the  village  of  Sterlingville  is  a  copious  chalybeate  spring, 
slightly  sulphurous,  and  possessing,  without  a  doubt,  medicinal 
properties;  but  it  has  never  been  brought  into  use.  A  post  office 
was  established  here  in  February,  1839,  with  George  Walton 
first  post  master.  The  other  post  offices  in  this  town,  are  Phila- 
delphia, Whitney's  Corners,  on  the  plank  road  from  Ox  Bow  to 
Evans'  Mills,  and  Pogeland,  on  the  plank  road  between  Antwerp 
and  Sterlingville. 

The  Philadelphia  Library  was  formed  September  13,  1831, 
with  Edmund  Tucker,  Alvah  Murdock,  Henry  W.  Marshall,  Joel 
Haworth,  John  F.  Lattimore,  Samuel  Rogers,  Azel  Danforth, 
Weeden  Mosher,  and  John  R.  Taylor,  trustees. 

Religious  Societies. — ^The  Friends  organized  meetings  here 
soon  after  their  settlement:  and  in  1809,  built  on  the  centre  lot 
a  small  frame  meeting  house,  which  in  1827,  was  set  apart  for 
'a  school,  and  ihe  present  meeting  house  was  built,  30  by  50  feet, 
at  a  cost  of  $800,  under  the  direction  of  Edmund  Tucker,  J. 
iStrickland,  Jr.,  J.  Townsend,  and  C.  Child.  The  Indian  River 
Preparative,  of  the  Le  Ray  Monthly  Meeting,  occupies  this 
house. 

The  Baptist  Church  of  Philadelphia  was  formpd  by  ten  mem- 
bers November  5, 1840;  since  which  the  following  ministers  have 
been  employed,  viz:  John  Stephens,  John  Wilder,  Charles  H. 
Havens,  S.  L.  Bulas,  J.  F.  Bishop,  and  Henry  Ward.  A  Society 
was  formed  December  14,  1840,  with  Elias  Roberts,  Walter 
Colton,  Jesse  Smith,  E.  D.  Woodward,  and  Henry  York,  trustees. 

The  Congregational  Church  of  Philadelphia  was  formed  of 
thirteen  members  by  the  Rev.  N.  Dutton,  of  Champion,  in  the 
winter  of  1840-1,  and  continued  to  employ  him  for  several  years. 
The  society  cf  this  church  was  formed  February  8,  1841,  with 
Nelson  Ackert,  Milo  Shattuck,  Abiah  Ford,  Peter  Bethel,  and 
Alvah  Murdock,  trustees.  These  two  societies,  in  1841,  erected 
a  Union  church,  each  owning  an  equal  share;  cost,  $1,600.  A 
Methodist  society  was  formed  March  9,  1839,  with  William 
Powell,  George  Sim,  Theodore  Cross,  Charles  R.  Sweet,  and 
Stephen  Pest,  trustees.  They  have  a  church  at  Philadelphia, 
built  soon  after  the  society  was  formed. 

A  second  society  of  the  Methodists  was  formed  March  6, 
1844,  with  Sterling  Graves,  Richard  Crabb,  Benjamin  Allen, 
and  Nelson  Cbadwick,  trustees,  who  have  also  a  house  of  worship 
&€ar  the  line  of  Antwerp. 


II  i 


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228 


Rodman. 


St.  Nicholas  church  (Catholic)  was  built  at  Sterlingville,  in 
1838-39,  at  a  cost  of  about  $800;  the  site  being  given  by  La 
Farge.     The  priest  resides  at  Carthage. 

Rodman. 

This  town,  embracing  its  present  limits  and  a  part  of  Pinck- 
ney,  or  township  No.  8,  and  part  of  No.  9,  of  the  Black  River 
Tract,  was  erected  under  the  name  of  Harrison,  from  Adams, 
March  24,  1804,  the  first  town  meeting  being  directed  to  be  held 
at  the  house  of  Simeon  Hunt.  The  name  was  derived  from 
Richard  Harrison,  of  New  York,  an  eminent  lawyer  and  an  asso- 
ciate in  several  large  purchases  in  this  and  adjoining  counties, 
but  it  was  found  inconvenient  to  have  a  name  so  near  like  Harris- 
burgh,  previously  existing  in  Lewis  County,  and  on  the  6th  of 
April,  1808,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  present.  We  have 
been  unable  to  ascertain  from  whence  it  was  derived.  By  an 
act  of  February  12,  1808,  township  No.  9  was  erected  into  a 
separate  town,  under  the  name  of  Pinckney,  and  the  county  line 
was  changed  to  pass  around  that  town  instead  of  across  it. 

Nov.  4,  1804,  a  special  town  meeting  was  held,  to  choose 
delegates  to  attend  a  convention  at  Denmark  to  consult  on  meas- 
ures for  the  division  of  the  County  of  Oneida.  William  Rice, 
Cyrus  H.  Stone  and  Simeon  Hunt,  were  appointed. 

At  the  first  town  meeting  of  Harrison,  held  at  the  house  of 
Simeon  Hunt,  Thomas  White  was  chosen  supervisor,  George  H. 
Thomas,  clerk;  Ozias  H.  Rawson,  Cyrus  H.  Stone,  William  Rice, 
assessors;  Jonathan  Davis,  Robert  Stuart,  poor  masters;  David 
Nikles,  S.  Hunt,  Calvin  Clifford,  commissioners  of  highways; 
Peter  Yandes,  constable  and  collector;  George  H.  Thomas,  John 
Fassett,yence  vitwers;  S.  Hunt,  pound  master.  A  special  town 
meeting,  held  for  the  purpose,  September  12,  1805,  chose  Wm. 
Rice  a  committee  to  wait  on  the  court  house  commissioners,  and 
represent  the  interests  of  the  town.  On  the  12th  of  January, 
1807,  Wm.  Rice,  Cyrus  H.  Stone  and  Ebenezer  Moody,  were 
chosen  delegates  at  a  special  meeting  to  meet  a  convention  at 
the  house  of  Joseph  Clark,  in  Watertown,  on  the  13th  inst.,  to 
fake  into  consideration  the  military  situation  of  the  county. 

Wolf  bounties  of  $  10  were  offered  in  1806, 7, 8.  In  1806  and 
1814,  laws  requiring  Canada  thistles  to  be  cut.  In  1823  voted 
against  poor  house.  In  1826,  voted  to  let  Wm.  Glass's  wile 
have  the  use  of  a  cow,  the  cow  being  secured  to  the  town. 

Supervisors. — 1805, Thomas  White;  1806-9,  Jonathan  Davis; 
1810-11,  Enoch  Murry;  1812,  Samuel  C.  Kanaday;  1814,  Abel 
Cole;  1815  and  1830,  Nathan  Strong;  1831-32,  William  M. 
Winslow;  1833-36,  Ora  Cooley;  1837,  George  Gates;  1838, 
N.  Strong;  1839-40,  Thomas  Wait;  1841,  Ora  Cooley;  1842, 


Rodman. 


229 


Henry  C.  Strong;  1843,  Herman  Strong;  1844-45,  H.  C.  Strong; 
1846,  Wra.  Gill;  1847,  Dennis  M.  Wait;  lb48-49,  Benjamin  F. 
Hunt;  1850,  Alanson  Tibbetts;  1851-52,  George  Gates;  1853, 
Ora  Cooley. 

This  town  was  first  opened  for  settlement  by  Harrison  and 
Hoffman,  under  Silas  Stow,  of  Lowville,  as  agent,  in  1801,  hav- 
ing been  surveyed  by  Joseph  Crary  the  year  previous.  It  was 
divided  into  5t>  lots,  and  these  were  subdivided  into  quarters. 
The  land  was  generally  sold  for  $3*50  per  acre.  In  1801,  Anson 
and  Ebenezer  Moody,  Jonathan,  Noah,  and  Aaron  Davis,  Ben- 
jamin Thomas,  William  Rice,  Simeon  Hunt,  and  perhaps  a  few 
others  came  in,  and  commenced  small  clearings,  and  in  Septem- 
ber Mrs.  E.  Moody  came  in  to  reside,  being  the  first  woman  that 
settled  in  town.  This  family  occupied  a  log  house  which  A. 
Moody  had  erected  that  season.  In  the  fall,  the  first  birth  oc- 
curred, it  being  a  son  of  E.  Moody,  who  was  named  Walter 
Harrison  Moody.  He  died  at  the  age  of  3  years,  and  is  believed 
to  have  been  the  first  death  in  town.  His  father,  in  accordance 
with  a  promise  of  Mr.  Harrison,  received  50  acres  of  land. 
Roads  along  Sandy  Creek  and  to  Burrville  were  opened  in  1801, 
September  4th,  1802,  Timothy  Greenly  from  Litchfield,  New 
York,  bought  of  Harrison  and  Hoffman  2669J  acres  in  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  town  at  eighteen  shillings  per  acre,  and  the 
second  season  after  removed  by  way  of  Redfield.  He  was  a 
prominent  citizen,  and  died  February  19th,  1852,  aged  84. 
William  Rice  erected  at  Rodman  Village  a  saw  mill  in  1804, 
and  in  1806  a  grist  mill.  Simeon  Hunt  was  the  first  inn  keeper. 
Bridges  were  not  completed  over  Sandy  Creek  until  1809. 

The  books  of  the  land  holders  show  the  following  additional 
names  of  those  who  contracted  for  land  under  date  of  December 
1st,  1804. 

Jesse  Smith,  afterwards  the  founder  of  Smithville,  Aaron 
Moody,  Horace  Townsend,  Thomas  White,  Joseph  Nickles, 
Arnold  Stone,  Nathan  Whiteman,  Avery  Wallsworth,  Joseph 
Dana,  Titus  King,  Noah  Davis,  Thadrick  Case,  Leonard  Fare- 
well, Joshua  Finney,  John  Vaughan,  Leonard  Barker.  On  the 
25th  of  March,  1805,  Buell  and  Westcott,  Nathan  Freeman. 
In  August,  Hawks  and  French,  Pierce  and  Lampson,  Wright 
Mead,  &c.  During  the  years  1803-6,  the  town  settled  with 
great  rapidity,  and  the  pioneers  sufTered  no  further  hardships 
than  fall  to  the  lot  of  all  emigrants.  In  1813,  sixty  deaths  oc- 
curred in  town,  mostly  within  three  months,  and  from  the  pre- 
vailing epidemic.  With  this  exception  the  town  has  not  suffered 
from  the  sickness  that  has  prevailed  in  other  towns  nearer 
the  lake.  Its  feeling  of  mutual  dependence  and  a  willingness 
to  divide  the  burthens  and  misfortunes  of  life,  is  spoken  of  as 


230 


Hodman. 


having  existed  to  an  unusual  degree  in  the  early  settlement 
of  the  town,  in  evidence  of  which,  the  custom  is  said  to  have 
prevailed,  it  any  one  was  sick  and  unable  to  attend  to  his  fields, 
his  work'was  always  kept  up  even  with  those  around  him,  and 
if  one  chanced  to  kill  a  deer,  then  very  common  in  town,  the 
venison  was  uniformly  divided  with  neighbors.  The  kindest 
feeling  has  ever  existed  between  the  several  religious  societies. 
A  school  was  iirst  opened  in  town  by  Miss  M.  Nobles,  in  Anson 
Moody's  barn,  in  the  summer  of  1803. 

The  alarm  of  the  first  attack  on  Sackets  Harbor,  reached  this 
town  on  the  sabbath,  and  created  a  great  excitement.  On  the >\\y 
following,  there  was  formed  a  Silver  Grey  company,  of  men  l ot 
required  to  perform  military  duty.  Nathan  Strong  was  chosen 
captain,  Simeon  Hunt,  lieutenant,  and  Sheldon  Hopkins,  ensign. 
It  numbered  about  60  men,  and  on  one  occasion  repaired  to 
Sackets  Harbor,  but  was  never  armed  or  called  into  service.  In 
the  drafts  upon  the  militia  during  the  war,  this  town  sustained  its 
full  share,  and  but  few  persons  left  through  fear.  The  Silver 
Greys,  in  their  articles  of  association,  agreed  to  i&arch  to  any 
place,  within  50  miles  of  home. 

The  earlier  surveyors  and  settlers  noticed  in  a  small  flat  at  the 
bottom  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  a  ravine  in  this  town,  growing  in 
great  luxuriance,  a  variety  of  plants  which  are  common  around 
dwellings,  and  introduced  for  medicinal  purpost^s,  as  tansy,  mints, 
balm,  &c.  The  question  of  their  origin,  and  the  time  and  manner 
of  their  introduction  is  a  matter  of  curiosity,  but  was  never 
ascertained.  No  appearances  but  these  indicated  that  the  place 
had  been  formerly  inhabited. 

Rodman  Village,  in  the  valley  north  of  Sandy  Creek,  five  miles 
above  Adarns,  is  built  mostly  on  the  south  bank,  and  has  two 
taverns,  four  stores,  a  Methodist  and  a  Congregational  church,  a 
seminary,  and  about  forty-five  dwellings,  with  the  usual  variety 
of  mechanics'  shops.  During  a  considerable  part  of  the  year, 
it  has  hydraulic  power  for  mills,  but  in  the  summer  months  this 
is  to  some  extent  supplied  by  steam.  In  1816,  a  mail  route  was 
established,  and  Nathan  Strong  was  appointed  first  postmaster. 

In  1840,  a  seminary  of  wood,  two  stories  high,  with  a  porch 
in  front,  and  a  cupola,  was  built  by  voluntary  subscriptions,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $1,200.  The  land  was  conveyed  in  trust  to  the 
trustees  of  the  Harrison  Society,  for  the  purpose  of  a  school,  by 
the  heirs  of  Nathan  Strong,  and  for  several  years  a  select  school 
has  been  maintained  here.  On  the  8th  of  December  1840,  the 
name  of  Rodman  Union  Seminary,  was  adopted,  and  Jan.  5th, 
1841,  a  constitution  was  formed,  and  thirteen  trustees  chosen. 

Zoar  is  a  hamlet  on  Sandy  Creek,  one  mile  above  Kodraan 
Village,  where  there  is  a  Baptist  church,  inn,  store,  a  few  shops, 
and  about  twenty  dwellings. 


Rodman. 


231 


Whitesville  (East  Rodman,  post  office),  is  on  Sandy  Creek, 
about  five  miles  above  Rodman  Village.  It  derives  its  name 
from  Thomas  Wiiite,  uho  in  1802  settled  there  from  Litcldield, 
N.  Y.  He  wasfor  several  years  a  sub  agent  for  the  town,  and 
in  1803  built  the  first  grist  mill  in  town.  He  removed  westward, 
about  1810.  At  this  place  is  a  small  village,  consisting  of  a 
store,  grist  mill,  a  few  shops,  and  a  small  cluster  of  dwellings. 

Religious  Societies. — The  first  religious  service  in  town,  was 
conducted  in  the  summer  of  1802,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Woodward,  a 
missionary,  who  on  a  week  day  preached  to  a  small  audience,  at 
the  hut  of  Anson  Moody. 

The  Congregational  Church  of  Rodman,  was  formed  by  Rev. 
EbenezerLazelle,  of  Watertown,  Sept.  22,  1805.  Occasional 
preaching  only  was  had  until  the  second  sabbath  in  Aug.  1808, 
when  the  Rev.  David  Spear,*  first  preached,  and  was  soon  em- 
ployed. In  Sept.  1809,  he  was  installed,  has  since,  with  two  or 
three  years'  interval,  continued  the  pastor  until  the  present  time. 
The  first  number  was  9,  total  521;  present  number  (August. 
1S53),  210.  In  1809,  July  17th,  the  Harrison  Society,  belonging 
with  this  church,  was  formed,  with  Reuben  Tremain,  James 
Loomis,  Asa  Davis,  Simeon  Hunt,  Jonathan  Wyman  and  D. 
Eastman,  trustees.  The  society  was  reorganized,  April,  24,  1834, 
and  in  1815  built  a  church  38  by  50  feet.  In  1850  this  was 
replaced  by  the  present  church,  which  was  dedicated  in  March, 
1851;  it  is  40  by  61  feet.  From  1809  to  1821,  was  a  period  of 
religious  interest,  and  in  1821-23,  were  great  accessions. 

In  the  spring  of  1811,  about  six  or  eight  Baptists  in  town, 
agreed  to  hold  meetings  on  the  sabbath,  as  often  as  convenient, 
and  to  invite  such  preachersas  might  be  procured  to  attend,  among 
whom  was  Joseph  Maltby,  who  on  the  27tli  of  March,  1812, 
formed,  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Cole,  a  church  of  nine  males 
and  thirteen  females.  These,  on  the  lOlh  of  June,  were  duly 
fellowshiped,  by  a  council  convened  for  the  purpose  by  delegates 
from  Rutland  First  Church  (Elder  Solomon  Johnson),  Adams 
(Elder  Timothy  Heath),  and  Watertown  (Elders  Gill  and  Mor- 
gan), and,  Mr.  Maltby  was  duly  ordained  as  pastor.  Isaac 
Benjamin,  Joseph  Cornell,  Daniel  Peck,  and  others  have  since 
been  employed.  This  church  was  alterwards  formed  as  a  branch 
of  the  Adams  Church,  and  in  November  1844,  it  was  reorganized 
as  a  separate  church,  on  a  petition  signed  by  about  50  members. 
In  1822,  a  church  was  erected  at  Zoar,  and  Dec.  11th,  1822,  a 
society  was  formed  with  Arnold  Stone,  Levi  Heath,  and  Elisha 

*  It  is  seldom  that  we  meet  with  an  instance  in  which  the  pastoral  relation 
Las  been  so  long  maintained  by  one  person.  Mr.  Spear  was  born  in  Rupert, 
Vt.,  .Tune,  1781,  and  studied  with  Rev.  John  B.  Preston,  of  his  native  place. 
Since  the  above  date  he  has  resided  here,  and  no  better  evidence  of  esteem  and 
regard,  earned  by  a  lifetime  of  daily  precept,  by  example,  could  be  adduced. 


ay 
p. 


233 


Rutland. 


Cook,  trustees.    On  the  6th  of  Oct.  1846,  this  was  reorganized, 
with  P.  W.  Dyer,  John  Nichols,  and  John  W.  Wait,  trustees. 

The  First  Methodist  Society  in  Rodman,  was  formed  Aug.  6, 
1829,  with  John  Adams,  Jonathan  Boyington,  Ebenezer  Black- 
stone,  Arthur  Robbins,  Anson  Moody,  Epaphras  Moody,  Wra. 
Buttcrfield,  Daniel  Kinney,  and  Chauncey  Davis,  trustees.  This 
society  has  a  church,  two  miles  below  Whitesville. 

The  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Society,  in  Rodman  Village, 
was  formed  March,  1843,  with  Elam  Cooley,  Hiram  Buell,  John 
Buell,  James  W.  Brown,  Winson  D.  Allport,  Alanson  Kinney, 
Isaac  Jenks,  Freeman  Tuttle,  and  Almanzor  Tibbets,  trustees. 
A  church  was  built  in  1849. 

The  Second  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in 
Rodman,  was  formed  Dec.  10,  1841.  Green  Budlong,  Hiram 
Buel,  Allen  Parker,  Orris  Buel,  Joseph  S.  Rising,  Jesse  Spencer, 
Abel  Case,  Jacob  Vroraan,  and  Hervy  Kello^jg,  were  elected 
trustees. 

Rutland. 

This  town,  embracing  its  present  limits,,  or  township  No.  3, 
of  the  Black  River  Tract,  was  taken  April  1,  1802,  from  Water- 
town;  the  first  town  meeting  being  held  at  the  house  of  David 
CoflTeen. 

The  first  town  officers  chosen,  were  David  Coflfeen,  supervisor; 
Jacob  A.  Williams,  clerk;  Abel  Sherman,*  Zelotus  Harvey,  Wm. 
Coffeen,  assessors;  Levi  Heath,  Solomon  Thompson,  Gershom 
Tuttle,  commissioners  highways;  Benj.  Edde,  constable  and  col- 
lector; besides  two  pound  masters,  three  fence  viewers,  twelve 
path  masters,  three  deer  reeves,  six  hog  reeves,  and  a  committee 
of  three  to  settle  accounts  with  Watertown. 

Wolf  bounties  of  $10  were  offered  in  1803,  7,  8,  14,  and  of 
$15,  in  1805-6.  Fox  bounties  of  $0-50,  in  1816,  and  of  $1,  in 
1818.  In  1811-12  a  law  was  passed,. requiring  Canada  thistles 
to  be  cut,  "at  the  full  moon  in  June,  July,  and  August,"  under  a 
penalty  of  $1. 

Suvervisors.— 1803,  David  Coffeen;  1804-5,  CI i ft  French; 
1806,'  Ethel  Bronson;  1807,  Zelotus  Harvey;  1808,  Hugh  Hen- 
derson. At  a  special  meeting  in  April,  Ethel  Bronson,  to  fill 
vacancy;  1809-13,  Judah  Williams.  In  Ju]y  1813,  Jonathan 
Smiley,  to  fill  vacancy;  1814-20,  J.  Smiley;  1821-23,  Ethel 
Bronson;  1824-26,  Amos  Stebbins;  1827-35,  Joseph  Graves; 
1836,  John  Felt;  1837-40,  Geo.  White;  1841-42,  Aaron  W. 
Potter-  1843,  J.  Graves;  1844,  David  Howland;  1845,  Gardner 
Towne;  1846-47,  Merril  Coburn;  1848-49,  Asa  Clark,  Jr.; 
1850-52,  Martin  L.  Graves;  1853,  John  A.  Sherman. 

*  Dr.  Abel  Sherman,  the  first  sberifT,  was  a  native  of  Brimfield,  Mass., 
and  removed  to  Clinton,  Oneida  County,  from  whence,  in  1803,  he  settle<i  in 
Rutland,  on  the  south  road,  where  he  subsequently  lived  and  died. 


.ss., 
in 


Rutland. 


S33 


The  name  of  this  town  was  selected  at  a  town  meeting,  held 
for  the  purpose,  and  was  suggested  by  settlers  from  Rutland,  in 
Vermont. 

This  town  was  surveyed  by  Benjamin  Wright,  in  1796,  into 
57  lots,  of  about  500  acres  each,  and  in  1799  he  subdivided  these 
into  quarters. 

This  town  having  fell  to  the  share  of  Wm.  Henderson,  in  the 
division  of  the  Black  River  Tract,  was  first  opened  for  settlement 
by  his  agent,  Asher  Miller,  of  Middletown,  Ct.,  whom  he  em- 
ployed, June  6,  1799,  to  remove  to  the  town,  and  commence 
improvements.  As  a  consideration,  he  was  allowed  the  choice 
of  500  acres,  wherever  he  might  select,  and  at  a  very  reduced 
rate.  Accordingly,  in  July,  Miller  opened  a  road  from  the  river, 
to  near  the  centre  of  the  town,  and  fixed  his  residence  and  location, 
near  the  small  lake,  about  a  mile  east  of  Rutland  Village.  From 
a  memorandum,  made  by  him,  we  derive  the  following  names  of 
purchasers,  during  the  years  1799,  1800,  1801,  from  which  it 
will  be  seen,  that  the  town  settled  with  great  rapidity,  mostly  by 
emigrants  from  New  England.  Nearly  all  of  these  men  are  now 
dead.    The  number  of  acres  taken  by  each  is  appended. 

In  1799,  Levi  Butterfield  (September  21),  172;  Perley  Keyes, 
Amos  Stebbins,  and  William  Keyes  (October  3),  343;  David 
CofFeen  (November  1),  391;  Goldsmith  Coffeen,  312;  Raphael 
Porter,  213;  Israel  Wright,  98;  Jonathan  and  Clark  Boss,  161; 
James  Killiam,  141;  Charles  Kelsey,  116;  Jeptha  King,  137; 
John  Dole,  154;  Gardner  Cleveland,  242;  Warren  Foster,  142; 
John  Cotes,  134  (November  6). 

In  1800,  in  June,  John  Earl,  Jr.,  120;  Nathan  Green,  128; 
Robert  Jeroms,  145;  Isaac  and  Caleb  Corp,  196;  in  July,  Henry 
Houk,  130;  in  autumn,  John  Earl,  134;  Danford  Earl,  113; 
Simeon  Munson,  89;  Mathias  Hpuk,  135;  Alford  Comins,  94; 
Charles  Comins,  128;  Solomon  Tuttle,  233;  Chauncey  Rawson, 
122;  GershomTuttle,  276;  Abel  Sherman,  229;  Kenyon  Larkin, 
352;  Peter  Cook,  92;  Ezekiel  Andrews,  144;  -- Rose,  —  Welch, 
155;  Lot  McClure,  72;  Isaiah  Bailey,  50;  Luther  Foot,  137; 
Enos  danford,  141;  Jacob  A.  Williams,  108;  Amos  Barnes,  2d, 
97;  Stephen  Kemball,  97;  Vernon  Huston,  193;  Elijah  Beech, 
80;  Thomas  Lee,  61;  Daniel  Russell,  75;  Turner  Ellis,  160; 
Joseph  Patterson,  122;  Silas  Pierce,  100;  Benjamin  White,  53; 
James  Murray,  125;  Abner  W^hite,  51;  Thomas  M.  Converse, 

78;  Brayton,  Swan,  93;  Jonathan  Hill,  Frederick 

Tyler,  146;  John  Stanley,  136;  Stephen  Cummins,  146;  Andrew 
Stafford,  116;  James  Stafford,  106;  William  H.  Stevens,  81; 
Dr.  Philips,  197;  Henry  Allen,  106;  ElishaLudden,261;  Philip 
H.  Hinman;  269;  Thomas  Hosmer,  225;  Peter  Wright,  118; 
Erastus  Maltby,  158;  Chandler  Maltby,  151;  Roger  Williams, 

16 


334 


Rutland. 


i 


291;  George  White,  266;  Benjamin  Pike,  170;  Clift  French, 
105. 

In  1801,  William  Coffeen,  257;  Thomas  Dunton,  328;  John 
Patterson,  130;  Alexander  Warner,  74;  Joseph  Wakefield,  98; 
Jesse  Hale,  Asa,  and  Luther  Brown,  100;  Josiah  Osmer,  Luther 
W.  Dexter,  120;  Samuel  Treadway,  178;  Orange  Eno,  68; 
James  Morse,  68;  Levi  Hare,  155;  Joseph  Underwood,  133; 
John  Smith,  121;  David  Stafford,  118;  Thomas  Starkweather, 
103;  Joseph  Luddon,  124;   Thomas  Hill,  112;   Caleb  Harris, 

114;  Scott, Wessel, Johnson,  651 ;  Asher  Bull, 

247;  Ethan  Newton,  130;  Stukely  Wicks,  114;  Jonathan  Covey, 
126;  Job  Olmstead,  145; Brittan, Foster,  173. 

Without  date,  but  in  one  of  the  above  years,  Jonathan  Davis, 
93;  Thinyon  Green,  110;  Charles  Hill,  120;  Jacob  Shook,  70; 
Ethan  Post,  148;  Artemas  Pike,  135;  Samuel  Parker,  120. 

The  total  amount  of  sales  during  the  three  years  was  17,549*03 
acres  for  $50,738*14,  ;the  contracts  being,  without  interest  for 
one  year.  By  much  the  largest  part  of  the  town  was  thus  rapidly 
settled,  the  unsold  portions  being  along  the  north  and  south 
bounds. 

In  June,  1803,  Abel  French  succeeded  as  agent,  and  the 
same  year  sold  2,313  acres  for  $7,11260.  Early  in  1804,  Hen- 
derson assigned  to  Dr.  Isaac  Bronson,  of  Greenfield,  Ct.,  and 
afterwards  of  New  York,  his  interest  in  the  town.  Dr.  Bron- 
son was  born  in  Middlebury,  Ct.;  when  a  youth  he  studied 
medicine  at  Hartford,  and  at  an  early  age  obtained  a  commission 
as  surgeon  on  board  a  merchant  ship,  and  sailed  for  the  East 
Indies,  where,  by  trade,  he  amassed  wealth.  On  returning,  he 
embarked  in  land  speculations,  and  among  other  things,  on  the 
disbandment  of  the  American  army,  at  the  close  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  he  purchased  soldiers'  scrip  at  a  great  discount, 
which  afterwards  rose  to  par. 

Soon  after  the  purchase  of  the  townships  by  Dr.  Isaac  Bron- 
son, he  appointed  Ethel  Bronson,  his  brother,  of  Middlebury,  Ct, 
agent,  to  settle  in  the  town  and  sell  his  lands.  Previous  adven- 
turers had  brought  back  flattering  accounts  of  the  country,  and 
New  England  was  filled  with  the  fame  of  the  new  and  fertile 
lands  of  the  Black  River  Country.  In  May,  1804,  Ethel  Bronson, 
David  Tyler,  and  Josiah  Tyler,  with  their  families,  started 
for  their  distant  home.  Three  weeks  were  consumed  in  the 
journey,  the  latter  part  of  which  was  difficult  and  perilous.  The 
roads,  lately  marked  out,  and  leading  throu^  h  almost  uninhabited 
forests,  were  hardly  passable  with  teams.  Frequent  breakages 
compelled  the  party  to  walk,  encamp  in  their  wagons,  or  the 
most  convenient  locality,  and  subsist  on  whatever  was  at  hand. 
Fortunately,  however,  they  suffered  no  want  of  provisions  before 


^t, 


Rutland. 


235 


they  reached  their  destination.  Ethel  Bronson  settled  in  the 
centre  of  the  town;  and  David  and  Josiah  Tyler,  in  the  southern 
part;  after  whom  the  present  village  of  Tylerville  was  named. 

Among  the  first  to  settle  in  this  town,  were  Samuel  Porter  and 
family,  who  experienced  many  hardships,  being  obliged  to  send 
to  Whitesboro  to  mill,  a  distance  of  nearly  seventy  miles,  the 
journey  being  performed  with  an  ox  team.  It  is  said  that  strag- 
gling Indians  infested  the  settlements  when  new,  and  proved  an- 
noying, by  pilfering,  or  openly  plundering  the  property  of  the 
settlers  in  the  absence  of  the  men  at  their  work. 

In  connection  with  the  perils  of  the  pioneer  life,  may  here, 
perhaps,  not  inappropriately  be  noticed  those  of  one,  who,  at  a 
later  period,  lived  and  died  in  this  town.  The  events  happened 
at  an  early  period,  and  at  a  distant  locality,  but  the  account  v/ill 
interest  many  who  were  personally  acquainted  with  their  heroine. 

"  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Parkinson,  who  died  in  Rutland,  June  22, 
1842,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four,  was  a  native  of  New 
Hampshire,  having  married,  fpr  her  first  husband,  Mr.  Peter  Poor, 
and  with  him  moved  to  the  town  of  Bethel,  situated  near  the 
source  of  the  Androscoggin  River,  in  the  state  of  Maine.  Here 
she  was  residing  with  her  husband  and  two  children  in  the  year 
1781;  in  the  autumn  of  which  year  the  savages  came  down  upon 
that  recent  and  defenceless  settlement  to  seek  for  scalps  and 
plunder. 

These  savages  were  instigated  to  maurauding  and  murderous 
expeditions  by  the  bounty  offered  by  the  British  for  scalps.  They 
entered  the  house  of  Mrs.  P.,  with  two  of  her  neighbors  already 
captured  and  bound,  and  made  enquiry  for  her  husband,  who  was 
fortunately  absent  at  the  time.  After  having  ate,  plundered  and 
rioted  as  they  pleased,  they  went  in  quest  of  Mr.  Poor,  and  with- 
out her  knowledge  found  him,  and  on  his  refusing  to  become 
their  prisoner,  shot  him,  and  took  his  scalp  in  their  sacks.  Mrs. 
P.  fled  from  her  house  with  her  children,  and  waded  the  Andros- 
co;;;gin  at  as  great  a  depth  as  she  dared,  in  order  to  avoid  being 
traced  by  the  Indians,  and  at  night  lodged  in  the  forest.  Mean- 
while, her  husband  had  been  discovered  and  taken  up,  and  in  the 
first  house  she  dared  approach,  she  beheld  his  mutilated  and 
bloody  corpse.  This  was  a  heart-rending  scene;  and  yet  it  was 
met  with  Christian  fortitude.  She  was  soon  composed,  and  sat 
down  to  her  Bible,  which  she  had  not  forgotten  to  take  along 
with  her,  and  opened  the  46th  Psalm,  and  when  she  came  to  the 
10th  verse  she  responded  in  her  heart,  "  I  will  be  still."  She 
buried  her  husband,  then  took  her  children  with  her  upon  a  horse 
and  started  for  her  friends.  The  road  was,  at  best,  only  a  foot- 
path, winding  through  a  dense  forest,  over  hills  and  across 
bridgeless  streams.    The  journey  was  made  as  fast  as  possible  by 


SS6 


Rutland. 


lii'.    3B, 

1  ■ 

k'^     M 

M  ^1' 

^!'    ^B 

1  1' 

Is 

1  1 

J 

n 

day,  and  through  the  night  she  composed  herself  as  well  as  she 
couUI,  being  compelled  to  lodge  upon  the  ground  with  no  cover- 
ing but  the  dense  branches  of  the  woods.  There  were  beasts  of 
prey  to  seek  her  life,  and  none  to  preserve  und  defend  her  but 
tier  Maker. 

She  afterwards  married  Mr.  William  Parkinson,  with  whom 
she  moved  to  Sharon,  in  this  state.  They  were  indigent  in  cir- 
cumstances, and,  as  usual  in  new  countries,  Mrs.  P.  endured  pri- 
vations, and  labored  hard  to  assist  her  husband  in  maintaining 
the  family.  She  earned  some  money  by  weaving,  and  on  Satur- 
day of  each  week  would  travel  on  foot  five  ami  ight  miles  with 
the  articles  she  had  woven,  receive  her  pittance  lor  her  work, 
and  return  to  her  family.  She  afterwards  removed  to  Rutland, 
where  her  husband  soon  died,  and  where  herself  finally  rests  from 
her  labors." 

These  facts  were  taken  from  an  extended  obituary  notice,  pub- 
lished in  the  New-York  Observer,  December  10,  1842.  The  first 
child  bom  in  the  town  of  Rutland,  among  the  families  of  set- 
tlers, was  in  the  family  of  Charles  Kelsey.  The  first  school  was 
taught  by  Miss  A.  Porter,  in  1803.  The  early  incidents  of  this 
town  do  not  possess  sufficient  interest  to  particularize  from  those 
in  the  country  generally. 

In  the  newly  settled  district  embraced  in  townships  2  and  3, 
the  men  were  mostly  in  the  prime  of  life,  fond  of  athletic  games, 
and,  at  their  gatherings,  would  often  indulge  in  amusements  that 
are  now  nearly  obsolete.  Among  these,  wrestling  at  "squire 
hold,"  was  esteemed  as  a  sport  that  afforded  the  fairest  ^^t  of 
personal  strength  and  agility,  and  a  successful  wrestler  would,  in 
those  days,  acquire  distinction  wholly  unknown  at  present.  On 
a  certain  occasion,  about  1803,  a  bet  had  been  mad*^  by  a  No.  1 
man,  "  that  his  town  (Rutland)  could  throw  every  thing  in 
No.  2"  (Watertown),  and  as  this  challenge  was  too  direct  to  be 
evaded,  about  a  hundred  men  assembled,  by  appointment,  at  G. 
Tuttle's,  in  the  edge  of  Rutland,  to  settle  the  question,  the  vic- 
tors, besides  the  consolation  of  beating  their  adversaries,  being 
promised  all  they  could  eat  and  drink.  After  various  prelimina- 
ries and  much  discussion,  it  was  agreed  that  each  town  .should 
choose  a  man,  and  that  they  would  abide  by  the  result  of  this  sin- 
gle contest.  David  CofFeen  was  chosen  by  No.  3,  and  Turner  by 
No.  2,  but  after  a  long  trial  neither  succeeded,  and  night  put  an 
end  to  the  contest.  The  parties  separated,  with  the  agreement 
that  they  should  settle  the  question  when  they  next  met,  which 
accidentally  happened  some  days  after,  and  the  question  of  su- 
premacy was  decided  in  favor^of  Rutland. 

During  the  war,  a  company  of  Silver  Urays,  consisting  of 
about  forty,  mostly  revolutionary  soldiers,  whose  age  exempted 


W 


of 


Rutland. 


237 


them  from  militia  service,  was  organized  under  Timothy  Tamb- 
lin  as  capta<n,  and  Levi  Butterfieid  as  lieutenant.  They  were  at 
Sackets  Harbor  for  several  weeks,  and  erected  near  the  site  of 
Madison  Barracks,  a  defence,  which  was  named  Fort  Voli:r.*^er, 

Judge  Ethel  Bronson  continu<.>d  in  the  agency  of  his  brother's 
estates  in  this  county  till  his  death  in  1825,  and  in  September, 
Major  George  White,  an  active  and  urominent.  citizen,  who  had 
lived  in  town  almost  since  its  first  settlement,  w  as  appointed,  and 
continued  till  the  lands  were  sold,  and  accounts  settled  with  the 
proprietor.  On  the  13th  of  April,  1846,  the  last  of  the  lands 
were  sold,  it  being  an  island  near  the  village  of  Black  River. 
Most  of  the  settlers  enumerated  in  the  previous  list,  came  in  and 
commenced  improvements  immediately.  Dr.  Hugh  Henderson 
was  the  first  physician;  the  first  death  was  the  wife  of  Francis 
Towne. 

The  first  inn  was  kept  by  Levi  Butterfieid,  near  the  centre  of 
the  town,  at  what  is  now  generally  called  Rutland  Village.  The 
county  map  of  Burr  gives  the  name  of  this  place  as  Brooksvilhy 
from  Curtis  G.  Brooks,  an  early  and  prominent  sett]cr,but  it  has 
never  been  known  by  this  among  the  inhabitants. 

The  first  grist  mill  in  town,  and  in  the  county,  was  erected  in 
1800  by  David  CofTeen,  who  had  received  a  gift  of  ten  acres  (to 
be  confirmed  when  the  mill  was  finished)  at  the  present  village 
of  FeWs  Mills,  and  on  Mill  Creek  near  its  mouth.  This  prim- 
itive mill  was  indeed  rude  and  humble,  but  very  useful  for  the 
settlements  throughout  the  county.  It  was  got  in  operation  in 
March  1801,  and  was  resorted  to  from  great  distances.  The 
millwright  was  Samuel  Parker,  and  the  first  pair  of  mill  stones 
was  made  from  boulders  of  gneiss,  found  in  the  vicinity.  This 
mill  opened  a  new  era  in  the  business  of  milling,  which  had  been 
previously  accomplished  by  pounding  in  stump  mortars  rudely 
scooped  out. 

This  was  the  first  improvement  in  this  place,  and  the  next 
season  a  saw  mill  was  erected.  CofTeen,  subsequently  sold  to 
Wolcott  Hubb^l,  and  the  latter  to  Barnabas  Eldridge.  The 
property  passed  from  him  to  Barnabas  La  Grange,  and  in  1813, 
to  John  Felt,  from  whom  the  place  derives  its  present  name. 

In  1808,  a  bridge  was  built  to  the  Island,  and  soon  after 
anofher  to  the  north  bank,  which  was  swept  off  in  1811.  In 
1821,  a  dam  was  built  across  Black  River,  and  the  present  stone 
grist  mill  was  erected  the  year  after.  In  1823-4,  a  saw  mill 
was  built  on  the  island,  and  in  1842  another  and  larger  one 
lower  done,  since  which  time  a  very  extensive  business  of  lum- 
bering has  been  carried  on  at  this  place,  from  two  to  three  millions 
of  feet  of  pine  having  been  sent  to  market  annually.  The  Pine 
Plains  which  are  immediately  adjacent  on  the  north  bank  of  the 


III 


i 


'Mi 


m 


Rutland. 


river  furnished  for  many  years  the  logs  for  supplying  these  mills, 
but  this  source  having  been  mostly  exhausted,  they  are  now 
principally  derived  from  the  forests  in  the  eastern  part  of  Lewis 
County,  being  floated  down  in  the  spring  flood.  This  business 
at  this  place  may  be  said  to  have  nearly  ended. 

Felt's  Mills  is  a  place  of  considerable  business,  having  besides 
three  saw  mills,  a  grist  mill,  and  a  variety  of  manufacturing 
establishments  with  water  power,  an  inn,  several  stores,  a  Union 
Church,  and  about  fifty  dwellings.  The  church  belongs  to 
Methodists,  Baptists,  and  Universalists,  and  was  erected  in 
in  1848.  This  place  is  by  plank  .road  eight  miles  from  Water- 
town  and  two  from  the  Gr   i   Bend. 

By  an  act  of  April  1st,  .o41,  the  island  at  Felt's  Mills  was 
taken  from  Le  Ray,  and  annexed  to  Rutland.  The  Felt's  Mills 
Burial  Ground  Association  was  formed  March  29th,  1852;^  with 
Oliver  A.  Tooker,  Henry  W.  Chapman,  Elijah  Graves,  Samuel 
Felt,  Hugh  Roberts,  and  Joshua  Roberts,  trustees. 

Tylerville  (East  Rutland  P.  0.),  is  situated  in  a  narrow  val- 
ley, on  Sandy  Creek,  and  at  an  early  day  it  acquired  some  im- 
portance from  its  being  the  seat  of  a  small  woolen  factory,  that 
was  erected  by  The  Rutland  Woolen  Manufacturing  Company, 
formed  September  25th,  1811,  with  a  capital  of  $25,000,  and 
the  following  parties  as  signers  of  the  articles,  the  first  three 
being  trustees.  Ethel  Rronson,  Dartfiel  Eames.  Jojiah^Tyler, 
Thomas  Hill,  Abel  Doolittle,  Eber  Ingalsbey  an^  ^ohn'Oaks.  *  * 

The  first  settlement  at  this  place  began  in  the  spring  of  1805, 
by  Erastus  Lathrop  and  Nathaniel  Frink,  from  Norway,  N.  Y., 
the  former  of  whom  erected  a  grist  mill,  and  the  latter  a  saw 
mm.  Josiah  and  Frederick  Tyler  were  early  settlers,  and  from 
them  the  village  derives  its  name.  Joel  Webb,  \bel  Doolittle, 
and  others  settled  here  at  an  early  period.  The  woolen  factory 
established  here  was  the  first  in  the  county.  A  building  for 
carding  and  spinning  by  water,  and  another  for  hand  looms  were 
built  at  this  place  in  1812,  and  got  in  operation  during  the  fol- 
lowing winter.  High  prices  were  necessarily  'paid  for  wool, 
which  embarrassed  their  operations,  and  on  the  13th  of  April, 
1814,  an  act  was  passed  allowing  $5,000  to  be  loaned  from  the 
state  treasury  to  Ethel  Bronson,  in  behalf  of  the  company,  secu- 
rity being  given.  September  19, 1817,  the  machinery  was  sold 
at  auction  to  Dgniel  Eames  for  $400,,and  it  has  since^been  ui^ed  < 
as  a  cloth  dressing  works,  until  within  ten  years'.  Alwul  eighty 
per  cent  of  stock  was  paid  in,  and  most  of  those  concerned  lost 
money  in  the  business.  Since  the  discontinuance  of  these  opera- 
tions the  place  has  not  grown,  and  it  has  but  about  thirty 
families. 
Black  River  village  and  post  office,  locally  known  as  Lock- 


Rutland. 


239 


b^ 


portf  is  situated  two  and  a  half  miles  below  Felt's  Mills,  on  both 
sides  of  Black  River,  in  Rutland  and  Le  Ray.    Improvements 
commenced  here  in  1806,  by  the  erection  of  a  saw  mill  by  Isaac 
and  Harvey  Cleveland.    The  mill  being  destroyed  by  the  flood 
of  1807,  was  rebuilt  the  same  season.    There  was  at  this  place, 
in  1818,  but  one  house.    About  1815,  Andrew  Middleton  and 
Christopher  Poor  erected  a  mill  at  some  distance  below  the  pres- 
ent village,  where  a  branch  of  Black  River  issues  from  a  subter- 
ranean passage,  and  affords  a  mill  privilege.    About  1810  there 
was  erected  a  grist  mill,  and  the  place  being  one  that  affords 
an  extraordinary  amount  of  water  power,  has  become  the  centre 
of  considerable  business,  having  at  present  three  saw  mills,  a 
grist  mill,  two  butter  tub  factories,  a  chair  factory,  a  tannery, 
two  shingle  factorieis,  a  wagon  shop,  a  machine  shop,  two  inns, 
&c.    There  are  several  very  available,  but  at  present  unoccupied 
water  privileges  on  Black  River,  the  whole  of  which  could  be 
repeatedly  used  below  the  village.    This  town  deserves  honora- 
ble mention,  for  the  interest  that  has  been  manifested  in  support- 
ing district  schools.    In  1836,  school  district  No.  4,  erected  on  a 
road  between  the  middle  and  south  roads,  the  elegant  school 
house  represented  in 
the  accompanying 
engraving,  at  a  cost 
of  about  $1,000. 
The  project  was 
originated  and 
mostly  sustained  by 
Moses  Eames,  Cliff 
games,  (jardher 
Townep  Alexander 
Warner,   Horace 
Tyler,    and    B.  F. 
Hunt,  who  were 
subsequently  joined 
by  H.  Hopkins.    This  district  has '  found  it  for  their  interest  to 
employ  well  qualified  teachers,  and  the  school  has  for  several 
years  been  under  the  supervision  of  Miss  C.  M.  Johnson  (a  grad- 
uate of  the  State  Normal  School),  to  whom  it  owes  much  of  its 
popularity.    The  trustees  have  also  taken  care  to  provide  appa- 
ratus, and  all  those  appendages  that  tend  to  the  promotion  of  the 
health,  comfort,  and  mental  improvement  of  scholars.    The  ex- 
ample has  been  followed  by  several  other  districts,  and  has  ex- 
cited an  emulation  in  the  highest  degree  beneficial.    The  repu- 
tation of  these  schools  has  drawn  students  from  a  distance,  and 
the  enlightened  policy  with  which  they  have  been  conducted  is 
worthy  of  general  imitation. 


"fun- 


The  Model  School  Bmie.^, 


M) 


Rutland. 


^^  Rutland  is  one  of  the  best  dairying  towns  in  the  county,  if 
not  in  the  state.  It  is  situated  on  the  summit  of  the  Trenton 
limestone  formation,  and  although  to  one  entering  it  from 
Watertown,  it  appears  elevated,  it  is  less  so  than  the  country 
further  east  and  south,  and  one  cause  of  its  peculiar  fitness  for 
grazing,  is,  doubtless,  in  the  abundance  and  excellence  of  its 
springs  of  water.  From  the  brow  of  the  hills  that  overlook  the 
country  north  and  west,  to  great  distances,  the  most  magnifi- 
cent prospect  is  presented,  the  country  below  being  quite  level, 
in  one  direction  bounded  by  the  lake,  and  in  the  other  it  extends 
off  towards  St.  Lawrence  County,  until  lost  in  the  distance  The 
traces  of  ancient  works  which  this  town  affords,  indicate  that  it 
was  formerly  inhabited  by  the  native  Indians  in  considerable 
numbers,  but  their  cabins  had  nearly  or  quite  disappeared  from 
this,  in  common  with  most  other  parts  of  the  county,  before  the 
present  settlements  commenced. 

There  are  several  deeply  interesting  geological  features  in  this 
town,  which  are  due  to  the  latest,  and,  ii.)deed,  almost  the  last,  of 
the  agencies  which  have  modified  the  iVs  surface.  Across 
the  northern  part  of  the  town,  nearly  r  v  .  •>  with  Black  River, 
and  about  two  miles  distant,  is  Rutlu.u'  Hollow,  a  remarkable 
valley,  worn  in  the  limestone,  like  the  valley  of  a  river,  but  en- 
tirely destitute  of  any  running  stream  that  could  have  produced 
it.  Near  the  middle  is  a  marshy  spot,  from  which  the  water  flows 
off  in  both  directions,  and  then  appear;^  to  be  continued  across 
Watertown,  Houndsfield,  Adams,  and  Henderson,  to  the  lake, 
although  in  some  places  interrupted,  and  scarcely  perceptible. 

Along  the  edge  of  the  terrace  of  limestone  which  underlies  the 
town,  and  at  an  elevation  of  nearly  four  hundred  fleet  above  the 
lake,  is  distinctly  to  be  observed  the  trace  of  an  ancient  beach, 

{)roving  that  the  lake  once  washed  these  bluffs,  and  covered  the 
ow  country  north  and  west.    Both  of  these  features  in  geology 
will  be  again  noticed. 

Near  the  south-west  border  of  this  town,  are  the  Burrville  Cos- 
cades,  which  consist  of  four  separate  falls,  leaping  into  one  basin, 
from  the  elevated  table  land  above.  The  first  two  descend  a  per- 
pendicular distance  of  forty-five  feet,  and  the  last  two  a  distance 
of  twenty  to  thirty  feet,  by  a  gradual  descent,  over  shelving  lime- 
stone rock.  These  streams,  uniting  at  this  point,  form  the  North 
Sandy  Creek.  Standing  at  the  foot  of  the  fall,  the  semicircular 
basin,  fringed  with  foliage  of  varied  hues,  and  resounding  with 
the  music  of  the  waterfalls,  the  scene  in  summer  is  one  of  sur- 
passing loveliness,  and  when  swollen  by  spring  floods,  one  of 
singular  grandeur.  The  spot  is  much  resorted  to,  and  is  said  by 
tourists  to  excel,  in  quiet,  yet  majestic  beauty,  any  scenery  in  the 
state.  It  is  narrated  that  a  Mr.  Lampson  fell  from  the  top  of  the 
highest  fall  to  the  bottom,  and  escaped  uni.ijured. 


Rutland. 


911 


On  the  farm  of  Dr.  C.  P.  Kimball,  near  Burrville,  is  a  remark- 
ably copious  spring,  the  same  that  is  mentioned  by  the  Rev.  John 
Taylor,  in  an  early  missionary  tour  through  the  country.* 

The  Rutland  Farmers*  Library  was  incorporated  Nov.  11, 
1806,  the  first  trustees  being,  Ethel  Bronson,  Hugh  Henderson, 
Abel  '^^..icrman,  Daniel  Eames.  and  Curtis  Mallory.  - 

Religious  Societies.-^'tAeeiings  for  religious  worship  were 
first  held  at  the  house  of  Raphael  Porter.  The  first  Congrega- 
tional church  w^s  organized  Jan.  12,  1808,  by  the  Rev.  —  La- 
throp,  a  missionary,  from  Vermont,  consisting  of  ten  members, 
viiti.,  David  Tyler,  Amos  Mallory,  Thomas  Converse  and  wife, 
Timothy  Tamblin  and  wife,  Samuel  Porter  and  wife,  and  Wil- 
liam Parkinson  and  wife,  Amos  Mallory  and  David  Tyler, 
were  afterwards  chosen  deacons.  The  whole  number  received  as 
communicants  up  to  Nov.  6,  1853,  has  been  320;  present  num- 
ber 100. 

The  First  Religious  Society  of  Rutland  was  formed  Feb.  8, 
1808,  and  Ethel  Brunson,  Timothy  Tamblin,  John  Read,  Thomas 
Converse,  and  Ebenezer  Hay  ward,  were  elected  trustees. 

It  may  be  mentioned  as  indicative  of  the  strict  Puritanism  of 
the  early  fathers  of  the  church,  that  Amos  Mallory  was  objecte(* 
to  for  the  office  of  deacon,  on  account  of  not  having  a  wife,  a  de 
ficiency  which  is  contrary  to  the  letter  of  the  law.  We  are  not  in- 
formed whether  they  required  him  to  qualify  for  the  office  by  com- 
plying with  the  scriptural  advice  on  this  subject.  The  first  pruden- 
tial committee  was  formed  Oct.  26,  1815,  consisting  of  David 
Tyler,  Amos  Mallory,  Ethel  Bronson,  Jonas  Bronson,  Levi  Hall, 
and  Rev.  Daniel  Banks,  the  latter  of  whom  became  the  first  pas- 
tor, and  was  brdained  over  this  church  and  that  of  Watertown, 
October  26,  1815.  Previous  to  him  the  clergy  had  been,  the 
Rev.*Messrs.  —  Lathrop,  1808,  Enos  Bliss,  1810,  — ^Leaven- 
worth, 1813.  On  the  20th  Jan.,  1824,  the  Rev.  Adams  W. 
Piatt  was  ordained,  and  remained  till  July,  1829,  when  he  dis» 
solved  his  connection  with  the  church.  On  the  24th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1824,  the  church  numbered  87  members,  the  total  up  to 
that  time  having  been  116,  of  whom  23  had  united  by  letter,  and 
77  by  prof  jssion.  Of  the  latter,  30  joined  in  1817,  and  18  in 
1822-3.  On  the  22d  December,  1823,  it  was  resolved  to  unite 
with  the  Presbytery,  retaining  the  former  plan  of  government, 
but  placing  themselves  under  their  watch  and  can.  This  was 
done  Jan.  20,  1824. 

In  18  {5,  July  5,  the  Rev.  David  Spear  was  employed  for  a 

stated  time;  in  1838,  Rev. Morton;   and  in  1839  the  Rev. 

J.  H.  Rice.    On  the  25th  of  November,  1841,  the  Rev.  Hiram 
Doane  was  installed  over  the  church.    Rev.  James  Douglas  was 


*  Documentaiy  History  of  New* York,  vol.  iii.,  p.  1144. 


243 


Rutland. 


in  September,  1850,  employed  for  one  year,  at  the  end^of  which 
time  he  left  to  fill  a  professorship  to  which  he  had  been  promoted 
in  Genesee  College,  Lima,  N.  Y.  In  his  absence,  the  Rev.  Hen- 
ry Budge  was  employed  for  one  year,  and  in  May,  1863,  Prof. 
James  Douglass,  having  resigned  his  chair  as  professor,  received 
a  unanimous  call  from  the  church  and  society  to  become  their 
pastor,  and  in  September,  of  the  same  year,  ^as  ordained  and 
installed  over  the  church. 

For  a  series  of  years,  meetings  were  held  in  a  school  house, 
until  the  first  church  was  erected  in  1819,  opposite  the  residence 
of  Henry  Hopkins.  The  old  site  was  exchanged  for  a  new  one, 
upon  which  the 
present  edifice 
was  erected,  in 
1841.  It  has  a 
bell,  a  good  in- 
strument for  the 
choir,  and  an  am- 
ple session  room 
in  the  basement. 
There  is  a  flour- 
ishing sabbath 
school  connected 
with  the  church, 
numbering  about 
100  scholars,  and 
a  library  of  600 
volumes.  The 
Ladies'  Sewing  Circle  contributes  about  $60  per  year  to  char- 
itable purposes,  and  contributions  to  other  benevolent  objects, 
during  the  past  year,  have  amounted  to  $160.  We  are  indebted 
to  Mr.  Charles  Hopkins,  of  Yale  College,  for  most  of  the  above 
statistics. 

The  North  Rutland  Baptist  Church  was  formed  from  one  that 
had  been  disbanded  July  22,  1837;  reorganized  by  a  council 
September  27,  following,  with  twenty-eight  members.  In  June, 
1836,  they  were  received  by  the  Black  River  Association,  under 
the  charge  of  Elder  Alvah  D.  Freeman,  who  remained  till  Sep- 
tember 14,  1839.  In  December,  I839,  Justus  Taylor  succeeded, 
and  May  7,  1840,  was  dismissed.  Elder  Sardis  Little  begun 
June  20,  1840,  and  continued  till  January  6,  1842.  Elder  John 
Wilder  remained -from  May  21,  1842,  till  May  1,  1847,  when 
Elder  Sylvester  Davis  supplied  the  desk  occasionally  until  April 
29,  1848,  when  Elder  D.  D.  Reed  succeeded  till  March,  1860. 
In  the  summer  of  1850,  Elder  Hartshorn  was  employed,  and 
sii  36  August  1st,  1850,  Elder  Lorenzo  Rice.    Total  number  up 


Congregational  Church, 


Therega. 


243 


begun 
John 
when 
April 
3850. 
and 
)er  up 


to  the  present  time,  138;  dismissed  by  letter,  65;  excluded,  8; 
restored,  1;  died,  11;  present  number  56.  A  church  was  erected 
near  the  residence  ot  Dea.  Fuller,  in  the  north  part  of  the  town, 
in  1821,  at  a  cost  of  $1200,  aud  on  the  6th  of  January,  1842, 
by  the  advice  of  a  council,  adopted  by  the  church,  it  was  voted 
unanimously  to  remove  the  location  to  the  Great  Bend,  which 
was  accordingly  done,  and  a  new  church,  derived,  so  far  as  prac- 
ticable, from  the  old,  was  erected  at  the  latter  place,  as  stated  on 
page  135  of  this  work. 

The  Baptist  Society  of  South  Rutland  was  formed  November 
11,  1833,  James  Brown,  Steven  Brainard,  and  Milo  Maltby, 
trustees.  This  society,  in  concert  with  the  Methodists  and  Uni- 
versalists,  in  1843  erected  a  union  church,  the  only  one  in  the 
village  of  Tylerville. 

A  Baptist  church  was  formed  at  Lockport,  in  1837,  and  the 
next  year  joined  the  association  and  reported  thirty-nine  mem- 
bers.   It  never  had  a  meeting  house,  and  has  ceased  to  report. 

The  Methodists  erected,  several  years  since,  a  church  in  Rut- 
land Hollow,  but  we  have  not  been  able  to  procure  its  statistics^. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  of  Black  River  was  formed 
April  9,  1845,  with  Thomas  H.  Scott,  Bildad  Woodward,  Henry 
Scott,  William  P.  Treadway,  and  David  Dexter,  trustees. 

■    r  ':^'-  /Z.  ThEEESA. 

This  town  was  erected  by  an  act  of  April  15th,  1841,  from 
Alexandria,  with  its  present  limits,  the  first  town  meeting  being 
directed  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Marcius  B.  Ashley,  in  the 
village  of  Theresa.  An  election  was  held  May  11th,  to  fill 
vacancies  occasioned  by  the  act,  those  elected  at  the  last  meeting 
in  Alexandria,  being  still  the  incumbents  in  the  towns  in  which 
they  resided,  till  the  expiration  of  their  terms. 

Supervisors. — 1841, Alexander  Salisbury;  1842-3,  John  D. 
Davison;  1844-5,  Archibald  Fisher;  1846,  Jesse  Kelsey; 
1847-8,  Zalmon  Pool,  Jr.;  1849-50,  Anson  Ranney;  1851,  P. 
D.  BuUard;  1852-3,  A.  Ramsey. 

This  town  was  named  after  the  daughter  of  J.  Le  Ray,  who 
married  the  Marquis  de  Gouvello,  and  resides  in  France. 

The  Falls  on  Indian  River  in  this  town,  were  early  marked  as 
an  eligible  point  for  a  village,  and  about  1810,  Mr.  Le  Ray 
caused  several  ''jobs"  to  be  cleared  in  town,  one  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  on  the  James  Shurtliff  farm,  a  mile  end  a  quarter 
south  of  the  falls,  another  of  forty  acres,  nearer  the  falls,  at  the 
forks  of  the  roads  near  Mr.  J.  Fayel's  residence,  and  one  or  two 
others  in  this  town,  and  Alexandria.  He  also  caused  a  saw  mill 
to  be  erected  at  the  Falls,  at  which  many  thousand  feet  of  lum- 
ber were  made,  and  sent  down  to  Rossie  and  Ogdensburgb. 


244 


Theresa. 


The  vitLT  which  soon  ensued  checked  these  improvements,  and 
leA  a  large  quantity  of  lumber  on  the  premises,  much  of  which 
rotted  on  the  ground.  The  clearings  having  been  seeded  with 
grass,  were  occupied  in  the  summer  of  1813,  as  pasturage  for 
a  herd  of  sixty  cattle,  twenty  horses,  and  about  four  hundred  and 
fifty  sheep,  of  which  Capt.  John  Hoover,  and  ^  hired  man  (John 
A.  Evans)  were  employed  as  keepers.  The  hazard  attending 
the  trust  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  the  clearing  was 
surrounded  by  a  dense  forest,  which  extended  to  the  St.  Law- 
rence, and  to  a  great  distance  to  the  east,  west,  and  south,  the 
nearest  neighbor  being  at  Evans'  Mills,  9  miles,  and  Friends 
Settlement,  7  miles  distant,  to  the  former  of  which,  a  blind  path 
led  through  the  woods.  Should  the  enemy  make  an  incursion  in 
force,  the  only  chance  of  safety  was  in  a  strongly  built  log  house, 
which  had  been  erected  for  the  storage  of  wheat,  and  which 
they  had  fitted  for  hasty  barricades,  should  these  be  necessary; 
nor  was  this  frontier  station  without  incident.  On  the  occasion 
of  the  affair  of  Goose  Creek,  in  July,  18 13,  which  we  have 
more  fully  detailed  in  its  place,  Capt.  Hoover  rallied  his  com- 
pany in  Le  Ray,  and  took  part  in  the  action,  which  for  the 
number  engaged,  conferred  as  much  honor  upon  the  American 
name  as  any  that  occurred  in  the  war.  The  prisoners  vcere 
marched  past  the  little  camp  on  their  way  to  Sackets  Harbor, 
and  Capt.  H.  resumed  his  lonely  vigil  with  no  society  but  his 
wife,  and  hired  man,  a  few  trusty  guns,  and  a  plenty  of  ammu- 
nition. A  few  days  after,  near  sunset,  being  out  a  short  distance 
in  the  border  of  the  woods  that  separated  the  two  clearings,  in 
which  were  the  stock  he  was  watching,  he  noticed  five  of  the 
enemy  cautiously  approaching,  who,  without  noticing  him, 
crept  into  a  barn  on  the  premises,  to  spend  the  night  Not 
doubting  but  that  they  had  come  to  spy  out  the  weakness  of  the 
place,  he  returned,  and  securely  fastened  himself  in  his  bouse, 
and  at  dawn  crept  out  with  his  gun  to  watch  their  movements, 
and  perhaps  attempt  some  achievement  if  circumstances  favored. 
Having  taken  a  station  a  few  rods  from  the  clearing  near  the 
present  corners  of  the  roads,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Fayel,  he  soon 
perceived  the  five  soldiers  approaching,  and  challehged  them 
after  the  manner  of  a  sentinel,  demanding  who  they  were,  to 
which  they  replied  '* friends."  He  then  ordered  them  to  ad- 
vance, and  lay  down  their  arms,  upon  which  two  approached, 
and  the  others  fled.  These  two  he  assured  "  should  not  be  mo- 
lested by  his  regiment,"  if  they  continued  orderly  and  quiet, 
and  having  disarmed  them,  and  mounted  them  upon  horses,  him- 
self fully  armed,  riding  behind  on  a  spirited  horse,  he  ccnducted 
them  to  the  camp  at  Sackets  Harbor. 
In  1814,  a  bridge  was  built  at  the  High  Falls  (Theresa),  and 


Therdia. 


345 


to 


about  1818,  a  reservation  of  1000  acres,  vras  surveyed  for  Mr. 
Le  Ray;  by  Musgrove  Evans.  In  1819,  a  grist  mill  was  erected 
for  Le  Ray,  and  in  1819,  a  tavern, '  which  the  next  year  was 
burned.  The  town  began  to  open  for.  settlement  at  about  this 
time,  and  the  first  inhabitants  were  not  exposed  to  the  incon- 
veniences of  distant  mills,  as  these  were  among  the  earliest  im* 
provements.  In  an  original  map  of  the  village,  are  the  names 
of  the  following  as  first  purchasers  of  lots.  Azariah  Walton 
(5  acres  on  the  east  bank  at  the  falls),  Ebenezer  Lull,  Samuel 
Hall,  Mrs.  Keeler,  E.  F.  Cook,  M.  Huntington,  H.  Money,  G. 
Locke  and  P.  Lehman.  Mr.  Lull  opened  the  first  store  here  in 
1820.  Among  the  first  settlers  in  town  were  James  Shurtliff,* 
Anson  Cheeseraan,  Marcius  6.  Ashley,  Col.  Bull,  and  others. 
Dr.  James  Brooks  settled  as  the  first  physician  in  1822,  and 
died  the  next  year. 

The  village  of  Theresa,  on  the  west  bank  of  Indian  River,  at 
the  High  Falls,  possesses  an  immense  water  power,  which  has 
been  but  partially  improved.  There  were  in  September,  1853, 
2  grist  mills  with  nine  run  of  stones,  3  saw  mills,  2  furnaces  and 
shops,  1  machine  shop,  1  plaster  mill,  1  shingle  mill,  1  wagon 
shop,  1  clothing  works,  2  cabinet  shops,  4  dry  good  stores,  4 
groceries  and  drug  stores,  2  inns,  1  marble  shop,  1  tin  shop,  1 
tannery,  6  shoe  shops,  4  blacksmith  shops,  2  tailors,  2  saddlers, 
1  goldsmith,  and  about  600  inhabitants.  There  were  5  phy- 
sicians, 2  lawyers,  and  churches  of  the  Presbyterian,  Episcopal, 
and  Metliodist  orders.  The  census  of  1850,  gave  101  houses, 
104  families,  and  516  inhabitants.  The  lower  fall  is  said  to  be 
62^  feet,  and  the  total  fall  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  about  85 
feet.  The  still  water  at  the  foot  of  the  falls  is,  according  to 
Brojdbead's  report,  66  feet  above  the  St.  Lawrence  at  Ogdens- 
burgh.  From  this  place  to  Rossie,  it  is  still  water,  and  flows  a 
considerable  extent  of  swamp,  which  in  certain  seasons  have 
occasioned  sickness  along  the  borders.  There  being  no  further 
obstruction  to  the  draining  of  these  drowned  lands,  than  a  reef 
of  rocks  adjacent  to  the  old  lead  furnace  at  Rossie,  the  legislature 
was  petitioned  for  the  powers  necessary  for  their  removal  An 
act  was  accordingly  passed  on  tae  10th  of  April,  1850,  appoint- 
ing A.  Fisher  a.d  Abram  Morrow  of  Thercaa,  and  George  W* 
Clark  of  Alexandria,  commissioners  to  remove  the  obstructions 
in  Indian  River  that  were  alledged  to  cause  sickness  by  flowing 
lands  in  the  towns  of  Theresa  and  Rossie.  The  damages  caused 
by  the  removal  of  these  obstructions,  with  the  cost  of  removal 
were  to  be  assessed  upon  the  lands  to  be  benefited.  The  work 
not  being  effected  under  this  act,  another  was  passed. 

By  an  act  of  April  12th,  1852,  Archibald  Fisher,  of  Theresa, 

*  Mr.  S.  died  at  Plessis,  August  let,  1S46,  sged  ?8. 


346 


Therega. 


I 


I 


and  Lawrence  W.  DeZeng  of  Redwood,  in  this  county,  and 
Abel  P.  Morse  of  Hammond  were  appointed  commissioners  to 
drain  certain  wet  lands  on  Indian  River  in  Rossie  and  Theresa, 
by  removing  a  certain  ledge  of  rocks  at  the  smelting  works  to 
the  depth  ot  five  feet,  with  other  obstructions  within  three  quar- 
ters of  a  mile  below,  including  the  dam  at  the  Dayton  Falls. 
Damages  were  to  be  assessed  and  paid  by  an  assessment  upon 
the  lands  to  be  benefited.  Nothing  has  hitherto  been  accomplish- 
ed under  the  act,  difficulties  having  occurred,  it  is  said,  in  failing 
to  agree  with  Mr.  Parish  upon  the  terms  to  be  paid  for  the  losses 
that  will  result  to  him  in  the  water  power  in  Rossie. 

A  furnace  was  built  near  Mill  Seat  Lake,  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  from  Redwood,  in  1847,  by  Joseph  C.  Budd,  Wm.  Bones, 
and  Samuel  T.  Hooker;  the  latter  becoming  an  associate,  while 
building.  It  was  started  in  the  fall  of  1848,  and  run  nine  weeks, 
making  «.wo  tons  a  day;  a  second  blast  was  run  in  the  spring  of 
1849,  of  fourteen  weeks,  making  three  and  a  half  tons  a  day,  and 
a  third  blast  in  the  spring  of  1850,  of  fourteen  weeks,  making 
six  tons  a  day.  Since  this  time  the  furnace  has  laid  idle.  At 
the  first  two  blasts  the  furnace  was  principally  supplied  by  ore 
from  the  vicinity,  with  a  little  from  the  mines  near  the  line  of 
Philadelphia  and  Theresa.  The  third  blast  was  with  ores  from 
the  Kearney,  Thompson,  Sterling,  and  Shurtliff  ore  beds.  The 
furnace  is  3U  feet  square,  35  feet  high,  8  feet  8  inches  inside 
diameter,  and  cost  with  fixtures  about  $8000.  It  was  supplied 
by  the  hot  blast,  and  two  tewels.  No  castings  were  made  on  the 
premises. 

The  town  is  underlaid  by  primary  rock  and  Potsdam  sandstone, 
the  former  exhibiting  a  succession  of  hills  and  deep  valleys,  while 
the  latter  presents  a  more  uniform  surface.  Accumulation^  of 
drift  cover  these  rocks  in  many  places,  but  the  soil  is  generally 
fertile.  The  most  remarkable  feature  in  town  is  the  number  and 
romantic  beauty  of  its  lakes.  In  this  and  adjoining  towns  there 
are,  within  a  radius  of  ten  miles,  nearly  twenty  lakes,  of  which 
Muskelunge,  Red,  Moose,  Hyde,  Mill  Seat,  Thompson,  Sixbot-y, 
Grass,  Mud,  and  Butterfield  lakes  are  wholly  or  in  part  in  this 
town.  Most  of  them  are  surrounded  on  ou:  or  more  s'des  by 
bold  rocky  shores,  with  deep  bays,  prolonged  iii  woody  swamps, 
and  with  rocky  islands,  densely  covered  with  woou.  These  ro- 
mantic sheets  of  water,  form  delightful  places  of  resort  to  the 
pleasure-seeking  and  sporting,  where  both  fish  and  wild  fowl 
afford  attractive  objects  of  pursuit,  while  the  shores,  overhanging 
cliffs,  and  tangled  ravines,  offer  a  perfect  paradise  to  the  geologist, 
and  the  mineral  collector.  The  islands  and  shores  of  Muskelunge 
and  Butterfield  Lakes,  in  particular,  are  celebrated  fjor  the  variety 
and  number  of  their  mineral  productions.   Most  of  these  lakes  are 


Watertown. 


247 


bovy, 

this 

es  by 

amps, 

ro- 

the 

fowl 


0 


apparently  fed  by  springs,  and  one  of  them,  (Thompson's  Laice) 
has  neither  visible  inlet  nor  outlet,  yet  abounds  in  fish. 

It  is  probable  that  the  wild  primitive  portion  of  the  county, 
may  hereafter  become  one  of  interest  for  mining  purposes,  as  the 
geological  features  of  the  section  do  not  differ  i'rom  those  of  the 
adjoining  town  of  Rossie,  which  has  attained  much  celebrity  for 
its  lead  mines.  The  indications  of  copper,  and  the  well  esta- 
blished fact  of  the  presence  of  iron  ore,  favor  this  inference. 

Religious  Societies. — ^The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Theresa, 
was  formed  May  8,  1825,  at  the  house  of  Abraham  Morrow,  of 
four  males  and  eight  females.  The  clergy  have  been  Wm.  B. 
Stowe,  Roswell  Pettibone,  Lewis  M.  Shepard,  Wm.  Chittenden, 
Leemand  Wilcox,  Revilo  Cone,  Harvey  Smith,  W.  Chittenden, 
and  Chas.  W.  Treadwell.  A  society  was  formed  Dec.  22, 1836, 
with  James  Shurtliff,  Anson  Ranney,  and  Nathan  M.  Howe, 
trustees;  and  these,  with  tlie  Methodists,  built  in  1836-8,  a  church, 
which  was  completed  at  a  cost  of  $1,800,  and  dedicated  by  the 
Rev.  R.  Pettibone  and  —  Peck,  of  the  two  denominations,  in 
Sept.  1838.  In  1849,  the  Methodists  having  sold  their  interest 
in  the  Union  church,  formed  a  society,  and  built  a  chapel,  at  a 
cost  of  about  $2^200,  which  was  completed  and  dedicated  Sept. 
14,  1850.    A  class  had  been  formed  in  1827. 

St.  James*  Church,  of  Theresa  (Episcopal),  was  organized  July 
16,  1848,  the  place  having  been  previously  occupied  by  Rev. 
W.  A.  Fisk,  as  a  mission,  about  a  year.  In  1850  there  was  re- 
ported a  growing  regard  for  the  service,  and  an  increase  of 
ntimbers,  and  in  the  same  summer  was  begun  the  erection  of  a 
Gothic  church,  after  the  plans  of  R.  Upjohn,  of  N.  Y.,  which  was 
finished  at  a  cost  of  $2,600,  and  consecrated  Aug.  7,  1851.  The 
incorporation  of  the  church  was  obtained  July  16, 1848,  in  which 
Horace  Parker,  and  Daniel  Parker,  were  named  first  wardens; 
and  Willet  R.  Jarvis,  P.  B.  Salisbury,  Franklin  Parker,  Thomas 
Robinson,  A.  M.  Ferris,  E.  W.  Lewis,  S.  L.  George,  and  Joseph 
Fayel,  vestrymen.  The  number  of  communicants  was  fifteen 
in  1850;  nineteen  in  1851;  twenty-five  in  1852. 

In  erecting  tht.r  edifice,  this  society  received  $250,  from 
Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  $125,  from  Hon.  Wm.  C.  Pierrepont,  and 
several  sums  of  $25  each,  from  others  in  the  county.  Mr.  Fish 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  B.  W.  Whitcher,  the  present  missionary. 

WXtertown. 

This  town  was  organized  from  Mexico,  by  the  same  act  that 
created  Champion,  and  other  towns.  March  14,  1800,  the  first 
town  meeting  being  directed  at  the  house  of  Asher  Miller,  who 
resided  near  what  is  now  the  centre  of  the  town  of  Rutland.  In 
the  general  statute  describing  the  several  towns  of  the  state, 
passed  April  7,  1801,  we  find  the  following: 


248 


Watertoum. 


Leyden.  "  And  all  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Oneida, 
bounded  easterly  by  Remsen,  southerly  by  Steuben,  and  westerly 
by  Camden,  Turin,  Lowville,  Champion,  Watertown,  and  the  west 
bounds  of  the  state;  and  northerly  by  the  county  of  Clinton,  shall 
be  and  continue  a  town  by  the  name  of  Leyden."  [This  would  era- 
brace  the  present  town  of  Leyden,  with  the  whole  of  Lewis  Coun- 
ty, east  of  Black  River,  and  all  of  JelTerson  County,  north  of  the 
same.] 

Watertovm.  "  And  all  that  part  of  the  said  county  of  Oneida, 
known  and  distinguished  by  townships,  Nos.  1,  2,  and  3, 
in  a  tract  of  Jand  belonging  to  Henry  Champion,  and  others, 
which  said  townships  are  bounded  northerly  by  the  Black 
River,  westerly  by  Hungry  Bay,  so  called,  and  southerly  by 
townships  Nos.  6,  7,  8,  and  9,  and  easterly  by  township  No.  4, 
all  in  the  same  tract,  shall  be  and  continue  a  town  by  the 
name  of  Watertown." 

The  name  of  the  town  was,  doubtless,  suggested  by  the  extra- 
ordinary amount  and  convenience  of  its  water  power,  for  which 
it  will  compare  favorably  with  any  place  in  the  state.  To  this 
cause  may  be  mainly  attnbuted  its  early  and  rapid  growth,  and 
the  superiority  in  wealth  and  business  which  it  enjoys,  far  be- 
yond any  other  place  in  the  county. 

By  the  erection  of  Rutland  and  Houndsfield,  the  original  limits 
of  the  town  have  been  reduced^ to  their  present.  A  fire,  which 
consumed  the  early  records  of  the  town,  has  prevented  us  from 
obtaining  many  interesting  facts,  which  the  town  book  is  said  to 
have  contained.  The  following  list  of  supervisors  is  taken  in 
part  from  the  records  of  the  board,  which  begin  with  the  organ- 
ization of  the  county  in  1805. 

Supervisors.— 1H05-8,  Corlis  Hinds;  1809-10,  Tilley  Richard- 
son; 1811,  Wm.  Smith;  1812-9,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck;  1820-6,  Titus 
Ives;  1827,  Jabez  Foster;  1828,  Titus  Ives;  1829,  Daniel  Lee; 
1830-4,  Henry  H.  Coffeen;  1835-7,  Orville  Hungerford;  1838- 
40,  Joel  Woodworth;  1841-2,  0.  Hungerford,  1843-5;  John 
Winslow;  1846-7,  Orville  V.  Brainard;  1848,  Geo.  C.  Sherman; 
1849,Adviel  Ely;  1850  Kilborn  Hannahs;  1851,  O.  Hunger- 
ford; 1852,  Robert  Lansing;  1853,  David  D.  Otis. 

This  town  was  surveyed  by  Benjamin  Wright,  in  1796,  into 
fifty-two  lots,  of  from  450  to  625  acres,  having  a  total  area  of 
26,485  acres.  A  subsequent  survey  by  Robert  McDowell  gave 
26,667  acres.  In  1801  it  was  subdivided  by  Joseph  Crary, 
under  the  direction  of  Silas  Stow.  A  mortgage  upon  this  town, 
in  common  with  Low  and  Company's  Purchase,  was  canceled  by 
William  and  Ann  Constable,  and  the  President  and  Directors  of 
the  Bank  of  New-York,  March  18,  1802.  Upon  the  division  of 
these  towns,  this,  with  Adams  and  Lowville,  fell  td  the  share  of 


'^yjlc-c\-rijirT^' ■''■"•  • 


fVatertoum. 


249 


ee; 
38- 
oho 
[nan; 


of 


Nicholas  Low,  under  whom  it  has  been  settled.  The  first  acent 
employed  was  Silas  Stow,  who  was  followed  in  1804  by  M.  S. 
Miller,  and  in  March,  1806,  the  latter  was  succeeded  by  Isaac  W. 
Bostwick,  Esq.,  all  of  Lowville.  The  lands  in  this  town  have 
long  since  been  sold  out,  and  nearly  or  quite  settled  up  and  con- 
veyed,  as  freeholds.  It  will  be  interesting  to  notice  the  remarks 
of  Wm.  Wright  on  the  survey  of  this  town  into  lots,  which  are 
given  with  more  detail  than  in  his  general  report,  from  having 
surveyed  the  boundaries  of  the  towns  only,  and  which  we  have 
given  on  page  65. 

"  Township  No.  2,  on  Black  River,  is  situated  about  three  miles 
from  the  mouth  df  the  river.  This  river  is  navigable  for  bateaux 
about  one-and-three-quarters  miles,  but  yet  with  considerable 
difficulty,  it  may  be  ascended  two-and-a-half  miles.  The  soil  of 
this  ton'nship  is  excellent  in  general,  and,  indeed,  there  is  very 
little  but  what  might  be  truly  called  first  quality.  Timber — ma- 
ple, beach,  bass,  elm,  ash,  butternut,  and  some  pine,  of  excellent 
quality. 

There  are  excellent  mill  seats  along  Black  River,  where  they 
are  noted  on  the  map,  and  many  more,  which  it  is  impossible  to 
note  with  certainty,  as  the  river  the  whole  distance  on  the  town 
is  very  rapid,  except  at  the  north-east  corner,  for  about  three-quar- 
ters of  a  mile.  The  river  is  very  rocky  along  the  whole  distance, 
and  appears  to  be  a  bed  of  limestone  rocks.  Along  the  banks  of 
Black  River,  opposite  No.  2  township,  is  cedar  and  hemlock, 
and,  in  some  places,  white  pine,  for  about  twenty  or  thirty 
rods,  and  from  thence  it  rises  to  very  handsome  land,  and  tim- 
bered with  maple,  bass,  beech,  &c. 

At  the  north-west  corner  is  some  flat  rock,  which  lies  about 
eight  inches  under  the  surface,  and  which  is  full  of  large  cracks, 
open  about  ten  or  twelve  inches." 

Of  the  lots  upon  which  the  village  of  Wu.ertown  has  been 
built,  he  remarked: 

7.  "This  is  a  very  good  lot,  and  has  excellent  mill  seats  on  the 
river,  without  expensive  dams,  and  with  the  greatest  safety  to 
the  mills. 

8.  This  is  a  very  good  lot,  and  is  well  timbered;  has  fine  mill 
seats,  and  land  of  the  first  quality;  some  few  stone  and  some  pine 
timber. 

9.  (Above  village.)  This  is  an  excellent  lot,  some  beautiful 
land  along  the  east  line,  and  some  pine  timber  on  the  south;  some 
maple,  beech,  bass,  elm,  and  iron  wood. 

10.  (Corner  lot.)  This  is  an  excellent  lot;  has  a  fine  flat  along 
the  beach,  which  is  very  fine  soil." 

Settlements  commenced  in  Watertown,  in  March,  1800,  at 

n  - 


260 


Watertown. 


which  time  Henry  Coflfeen,*  and  l^achariah  ButterBeld,  having 
the  fall  previous  visited  the  town  and  purchased  farms,  removed 
with  their  families  from  Schuyler,  Oneida  County,  and  began 
improvements  on  the  site  of  Watertown  Village.  Coifeen  was  the 
first  to  arrive,  having  penetrated  from  Lowville  through  the  woods, 
with  his  family  and  household  goods  drawn  on  an  ox  sled.  He 
had  Tturchased  parts  jf  lots  2,  3,  13,  21,  and  166  acres  on  the 
wesv    'v  part  of  lot  No.  7,  now  covered  by  Watertown  Village. 

He  ejected  his  hut  on  the  ground  just  west  of  the  hnn  Blocks 
and  Butteriield  settled  on, the  spot  now  covered  by  the  Merchants* 
Exchange,  newly  erected  on  the  corner  of  Washington  Street 
and  the  Public  Square.  Oliver  Bartholomew!  arrived  in  town, 
in  March,  1800,  and  settled  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  present 
village  of  Brownville.  Simeon  and  Benjamin  Woodruff,  and 
others  visited  the  town,  with  the  view  of  settlement,  and  in  the 
ensuing  winter  but  three  families  wintered  in  town,  viz:  Coffeen, 
Bartholomew,  and  Butterfield.  The  land  books  of  Mr.  Low 
show  the  following  list  of  purchasers,  of  which  there  may  be 
some  who  were  not  actual  settlers. 

1799,  May  16,  John  Whitney,  460  acres  on  lot  8,  at  $2-50 
per  acre;  this  probably  reverted.  In  Oct.,  E.  Allen,  Silas  Alden, 
S.  and  B.  Woorlruff,  Jas.  Rogers,  0.  Bartholomew,  Thos.  Delano, 
Elisha  Gustin,  Z.  Butterfield.  In  1800,  Heman  Pellit,  Thos.  and 
John  Sawyer,  John  Blevan,  Abram  Fisk,  Wm.  Lampson,  Joseph 
Tuttle,  N.  Jewett,  J.  Wait,  Abram  Jewett,  Hart  Massey,  Joseph 
Wadley,  Jonathan  Bentley,  J,  Sikes,  S.  Norris,  Chas.  Galloway, 
Jonathan  Talcott,  Josiah  Bentley,  Frend  Dayton,  John  Patrick, 
David  Bent,  Luther  Demming,  Ephraim  Edwards,  Tilson  Bar- 
rows, Thomas  Butterfield,  J.  and  L.  Stebbins,  Asaph  Mather, 
Benj.  Allen,  E.  Lazelle,  Henry  Jewett,  Lewis  Drury,  S.  Fay, 
—  Stanley,  James  Glass,  Ira  Brown,  W.  P.  and  N.  Crandall, 
Calvin  Brown,  Aaron  Bacon,  Bennet  Rice,  Thos.  H.  Biddlecom. 

During  the  following  season,  many  of  these  persons,  v  Uo  were 
mostly  from  Oneida  County,  settled,  and  in  1802,  J  anathan 
Cowen|  began  the  erection  of  a  grist  mill,  at  the  bridge  that 
crosses  to  Beebe's  Island.  The  extraordinary  water  power  which 
this  place  presented,  afforded  ground  for  the  expectation,  that  it 
would  become  the  centre  of  a  great  amount  of  business.  The  first 
deeds  were  given  August  20, 1802,  to  Elijah  Allen,  Jotham  Ives 

*  A  native  of  Vermont,  but  for  several  years  a  resident  of  Schuyler, 
Oneida  County. 

t  Deacon  Bartholomew  was  bom  in  Connecticut,  October  20,  1757;  served 
through  the  Revolution;  settled  in  Oneida  County  in  1794,  and  died  in  Water- 
town,  June  18,  1850.  In  1803  he  assisted  in  forming  one  of  the  first  Baptist 
Churches  in  the  County. 

t  Cowen  was  a  mill  wright,  and  an  uncle  of  Judge  Eseck  Cowen,  of  Saratoga 
County.    He  died  near  Evans*  Mills,  November  27,  1840,  at  the  age  of  80. 


fVateriotm. 


251 


were 

ithan 

that 

Iwhich 

Ihat  it 

first 

Ives 

Ihuyler, 


David  Bent,  Ezra  Parker,  William  Parker,  Joseph  Tuttle,  and 
Joseph  Moors. 

During  the  first  summer  of  the  settlement,  it  being  entirely 
impossible  to  procure  grinding  at  any  mills,  nearer  than  Canada, 
a  stump  standmg  on  the  Public  Square,  a  few  rods  east  of  the 
All  erican  Hotel,  had  been  formed  into  a  mortar,  and  with  a 
spring  pole  and  pestle  attached,  served  the  purpose  of  a  grain 
mill  to  the  settlement.    This  primitive  implement,  suggestive  of 
rustic  life,  and  the  privations  of  a   now  colony,  relieved  the 
pioneers,  in  some  degree,  from  the  necessity  of  long  journeys  to 
uiill,  through  a  pathless  forest.    The  hardships  of  this  early  pe> 
riod  had  a  tendency  to  create  a  unity  of  feeling  and  sympathy 
from  the  strong  s^nse  of  mutual  dependence  which  it  engendered, 
and  which  is  recalled  by  the  few  survivors  of  the  period,  with 
emotions   of  gratitude,  for  the  manifest  mercies  of  Providence. 
These  hardy  a     enturerr  ivere  mostly  poor.    They  possessed  few 
of  the  comforts  of  life,  ^  ot  they  had  few  wants.    The  needful  ar- 
ticles of  the  househol  (  \rere  mostly  made  by  their  own  hands, 
and  artificial  grades  ol  society  vt  '^re  unknown.    The  first  death 
of  the  settlenr.ti    "sthus  describtiJ  by  *J.  P.  Fitch,  in  the  preface 
of  the  first  vi  'agf,  directory,  publislied  in  1840: 

"  Late  at  the  close  of  a  still  sultry  day,  in  summer,  Mrs.  I. 
Thornton,  the  wife  of  one  of  the  young  setUers,  gave  the  alarm 
that  her  husband  had  not  returned  from  the  forest,  whither  he 
had  gone  in  the  afternoon,  to  procure  a  piece  of  timber.  Imme- 
diately every  man  in  the  settlement  answered  to  the  call,  and 
hastened  to  the  place  designated  for  meeting,  to  concer^a  plan 
for  search.  Here  all  armed  themselves  with  torches  of  lighted 
pine  knots,  or  birch  bark,  and  calling  every  gun  in  the  place  into 
use  for  firing  alarms,  and  signals,  started  out  in  small  companies 
into  the  forest,  in  all  directions.  After  a  search  of  several  hours, 
the  preconcerted  signal  gun  announced  that  the  "  lost  was 
Tm'^^."  All  hurried  to  the  spot,  and  upon  the  ground  where 
r"  stands  the  Black  River  Institute,  crushed  beneath  a  tree 
which  he  had  felled,  lay  the  lifeless  body  of  their  companion.  He 
was  laid  upon  a  bier  hastily  prepared  for  the  occasion,  and  con- 
veyed through  the  gloom  of  midnight,  by  the  light  of  their  torch- 
es, back  to  his  house.  What  must  have  been  the  emotion  of  the 
bereaved  young  widow,  when  the  mangled  corpse  of  her  husband, 
so  suddenly  fallen  a  victim  to  death,  was  brought  in  and  laid 
before  her!  She  did  not,  however,  mourn  alone.  As  the  remains 
were  borne  to  their  last  resting  place — the  first  grave  that  was 
opened  in  Trinity  Churchyard — it  needed  no  sable  emblems  of 
mourning  to  tell  of  the  grief  that  hung  dark  around  every  heart. 
Each  one  of  the  little  company,  as  he  returned  from  performing 
the  last  duties  to  his  departed  companion,/e/^  as  if  from  his  own 


II 


253 


Watertoum. 


< 


It 

I'l 


family  one  had  been  taken.  A  similar  incident  occurred  a  short 
time  after,  in  the  death  of  a  child  which  was  killed  by  the  falling 
of  a  tree,  on  the  present  site  of  the  court-house;  thus  designating 
with  blood,  as  one  can  imagine,  the  location  of  the  halls  of  Jus- 
tice, and  Science,  in  our  village,  and  consecrating  the  ground  of 
each  by  a  human  sacrifice." 

In  1802  an  inn  was  opened  by  Dr.  Isaiah  Massey,  and  settlers 
began  to  lorato  in  every  part  of  the  town,  which,  in  September 
of  that  year,  numbered  70  or  80  families.  A  dam  was  built  by 
Oowan  in  1802,  and  in  1803,  he  got  in  operation  a  small  grist 
mill.  During  two  or  three  succeeding  years,  John  Paddock, 
Chauncey  Calhoun,  Philo  Johnson,  Jesse  Doolittle,  William 
Smith,  Medad  Canfield,  Aaron  Keyes,  Wm.  Huntington,*  John 
Hathaway,  Seth  Bailey,  Oershon  Tuttle,  and  others,  several  of 
whom  were  mechanics,  joined  the  settlement,  and  at  a  very  early 
day,  a  school  house  was  built  on  the  site  of  the  UniversaUst 
Church,  which  served  also  as  a  place  of  religious  meetings.  In 
1805,  John  Paddock  and  William  Smith  opened  the  first  store  in 
the  plaee,  their  goods  being  brought  from  Utica  in  wagons.  An 
idea  may  be  had  of  the  hardships  of  that  period,  compared  with 
modern  facilities,  from  the  fact  that  in  March,  1807,  seventeen 
sleighs,  laden  with  goods  for  Smith  and  Paddock,  were  23  days 
in  gettirg  from  Oneida  County  to  Watertown,  by  way  of  Redfield. 
The  snows  were  in  some  places  seven  feet  deep,  and  the  valleys 
almost  impassable,  from  wild  torrents  resulting  from  the  melting 
of  snows.  The  winter  had  been  remarkable  for  its  severity,  and 
the  deslructive  spring  floods. 

Many  incidents  connected  with  the  early  settlement  of  this 
town,  have  been  published  in  the  Jiff'ersonian,  over  the  sig- 
nature of  A  Link  in  the  Chain,  which  were  written  by  Mr. 
Solon  Massey,  whose  father.  Hart  Massey,  we  have  frequent 
occasion  to  mention  as  a  pioneer  and  prominent  citizen  of  the 
county.  We  regret  our  inability  to  publish  more  extended  ex- 
tracts from  these  interesting  articles,  but  take  the  liberty  of 
using  the  following,  which  will  give  some  idea  of  the  perils  that 
surround  the  first  settlers  of  a  new  country. 

Lost  in  the  Woods. — ^To  any  person  who  realises  what  a 
dense  howling  wilderness  this  country  was,  at  the  time  of  its 
first  occupation  by  our  fathers,  it  will  not  be  surprising  that  there 
were  instances,  rather  frequent,  of  persons  being  lost  in  tht 
woods. 

The  natural  divisions  of  hill  and  dale,  or  upland  and  lowland, 
in  this  comparative  level  country,  afforded  but  few  landmarks  to 
the  unlucky  wight  who  happened  to  get  at  fault  in  his  reckon- 

'*  Died  at  Watertown,  May  11,  1842,  aged  85.  He  was  a  native  of  Tolland, 
Ct.     In  1784  he  removed  to  N.  H.,  and  in  1804,  to  Watertown. 


Watertoum. 


253 


ings,  and  even  those  who  were  best  acquainted  with  the  natural 
scenery  of  the  trackless  forest,  immediately  surrounding  our 
settlement,  were  sometimes  compelled  to  experience  the  startling 
reality  of  being  lost  in  the  woods;  which  was  indicated  by  find- 
ing themselves  following  a  circle — coming  round  and  round  and 
round  again,  to  the  same  starting  point,  in  spite  of  all  their  ef- 
forts to  follow  out  a  continuous  straight  course. 

This  liability  to  be  lost  was  so  well  understood,  that  whenever 
any  member  of  the  family  was  longer  away  in  the  forest  than 
was  expected,  the  alarm  was  given,  and  a  rally  made  of  all  the 
men  and  boys  in  the  different  settlements  in  the  vicinity,  and  a 
general  and  systematic  search  instituted  with  preconcerted  sig- 
nals. 

And  yet  the  liability  to  get  lost  did  not  deter  or  prevent  fre- 
quent intercourse  with  the  woods.  The  forest  was  the  "  long 
pasture  "  where  the  cows  lived  in  summer,  and  where  they  had 
to  be  hunted  over  long  ranges  of  upland,  or  of  swale  and  beaver 
meadow,  as  their  fancy  or  necessity  led  them  to  forage  for  them- 
selves. It  was  the  botanic  garden  where  a  long  list  of  medicinal 
plants  were  found,  which  were  relied  upon  as  preventives  of 
the  diseases  that  were  incident  to  our  new  country,  or  as  a  sov- 
ereign balm  for  every  wound  with  which  we  might  be  afflicted 
for  the  time  being.  It  ::vr,s  the  place  for  berrying  for  a  great 
variety  of  fruits  and  benies  in  their  season — the  great  range 
from  which  we  hunted  out  our  natural  crooked  scythe  snaths,  our 
crotched  trees  for  ha/rows  and  cart  tongues,  our  axe  helves,  ox 
yoke  and  ox  bow  timber,  broom  sticks,  &c.,  &c.;  and,  finally,  it 
was  the  great  hunting  ground  for  a  variety  of  wild  game,  with 
which  to  supply  our  tables  with  meat,  in  the  absence  of  domes- 
tic animals,  for  food.  Woods  was  the  rule,  clearings  the  ex- 
ceptions. 

One  incident  among  a  great  many  others,  connected  with  be- 
ing lost  in  the  woods,  may  be  transcribed  from  the  earliest  tradi- 
tional history  of  our  town,  and  which  is  something  as  follows: 

Capt.  James  Parker  owned  and  occupied  a  large  body  of  land 
(now  a  farm)  on  the  Brownville  road,  at  present  occupied  in  part 
by  his  son  James.  He  had  a  large  family  of  sturdy  boys,  the 
oldest  of  whom,  at  the  time  our  tradition  dates,  was  fourteen  to 
sixteen  years  of  age.  The  old  gentleman,  like  many  others  of 
our  enterprising  settlers,  was  clearing  up  a  large  farm,  and,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  the  most  out  of  his  ashes,  had  small  pot- 
ash works,  where  he  worked  them  into  potash  or  black  salts. 

In  the  process  of  manufacture,  it  seems  he  wanted  some  hem- 
lock gum,  and  at  the  same  time  wanted  some  groceries  from  the 
little  place  ycleped  a  store  here  in  the  village.     So  handing  the 


hero  of  our  story  a  silver  dollar,  be  bid  him  take  his  axe 


^A     a 


254 


Watertown. 


bag,  and  on  his  way  to  or  from  the  store  to  procure  some  gum. 
With  this  errand  and  equipment  he  started,  alter  dinner,  on  his 
"way  to  this  place;  he  proceeded  as  far  as  the  foot  of  the  Folts 
Hill  (H.  H.  Coffeen's  late  residence),  where,  stretching  away  to 
the  south  was  an  abundance  of  hemlock  timber,'  and  intent  on 
performing  the  hardest  and  most  dijfficult  part  of  his  task  first, 
and  not  wishing  to  risk  losing  the  dollar,  he  struck  his  axe  into 
a  large  tree  and  loosening  a  chip  he  carefully  deposited  the  coin 
in  the  cavity  between  the  loosened  chip  and  the  body  of  the  tree 
for  safe  keeping,  intending  to  come  back  to  that  starting  point 
with  his  axe  and  bag,  and  leave  them*  there  in  their  turn,  while 
he  run  up  to  the  store  and  back. 

Well,  after  a  while  he  found  himself  sufficiently  provided  with 
gum,  and  started  off  at  a  kind  of  Indian  lope  for  the  place  where 
he  had  left  the  dollar,  passing  in  his  way  a  spring  of  water,  up- 
on the  surface  of  which  was  a  thick  yellow  scum,  resembling 
iron  rust.  On,  on,  on  he  traveled,  sweating  under  his  load,  and 
with  the  lurking  suspicion  that  something  was  wrong,  he  didn't 
know  what.  After  a  good  while,  however,  and  when  he  knew 
he  must  have  traveled  more  than  any  distance  that  could  possi- 
bly have  been  between  the  last  gum  tree  and  the  one  containing 
his  dollar,  he  made  a  full  halt  for  the  purpose  of  a  reckoning. 
One  thing  was  very  certain — that  he  had  traveled  faster  coming 
back  than  when  going,  and  had  been  longer  about  it.  That  had 
a  bad  look !  then  he  thought  it  curious  there  should  have  been 
three  of  those  iron  ore  springs,  looking  so  nearly  alike  !  And 
finally,  the  more  he  soliloquized  the  more  he  satisfied  himself 
that  he  was  lost. 

What  added  not  a  little  to  his  perplexity  was,  that  twilight 
was  already  spreading  her  mantle  upon  the  forest.  It  would 
therefore  be  necessary  for  him  to  select  where  he  would  spend 
the  night,  so  far  as  there  was  any  choice  of  a  sheltered  place  in 
the  woods.  He  was  not  long  in  finding  a  large  standing  tree 
that  afforded  just  the  nook  he  wanted,  between  two  roots  that 
stood  well  out  on  either  side,  nrnl  having  ensconced  himself  in  a 
sitting  posture,  with  his  baci,  ^^ainst  the  tree,  and  the  axe  be- 
tween his  knees,  he  prepared  to  face  any  danger  that  might  offer, 
and  to  sleep  away  the  long  hours  of  night.  He  would  have 
telegraphed  the  folks  at  home  that  he  was  safe,  if  he  could.  He 
hoped  they  would  not  be  much  alarmed.  But  they  were  though, 
and  after  sunset  the  old  gentleman  got  uneasy  and  started  out 
the  way  that  he  should  come,  just  to  meet  him — if  he  was  safe 
— but  with  a  kind  of  presentiment,  to  succor  him  if  in  trouble. 
He  kept  on,  occasionally  stopping  to  listen,  and  sweating  with 
apprehension,  and  imagining  a  whole  catalogue  of  mishaps  that 
might  have  befallen  him — whether  he  had  lost  his  way — or  had 


Watertown. 


255 


maimed  himself  with  the  axe— or  a  tree  had  fallen  upon  him — 
or,  what  was  certainly  possible,  some  \venous  wild  beast  had 
devoured  him — all  was  a  matter  of  painful  doubt,  fear,  and  un- 
certainty. 

It  was  not,  however,  until  after  he  had  reached  the  village, 
and  found  by  enquiry  that  his  boy  had  not  been  there,  that  his 
fearful  forebodings  of  some  horrid  evil  were  confirmed. 

Giving  the  alarm  here,  and  begging  of  the  good  people  to  ral- 
ly quick  and  meet  such  persons  as  he  should  succeed  in  obtain- 
ing from  Brownville,  he  hastened  home  in  such  a  state  of  mind 
as  can  be  better  imagined  than  described. 

Until  his  arrival  home^  the  family  had  not  partaken  very  much 
of  his  own  alarm,  but  now,  what  a  sad  and  sorrowful  company 
are  they,  as  hurriedly  they  make  the  necessary  preparation,  with 
pine  knots  and  birch  bark  for  torches,  horns  and  guns  for  sig- 
nals, and  refreshments  for  the  missing  boy  if  he  should  be  found, 
and  for  the  kind  neighbors  who  were  in  all  probability  to  be  in 
the  woods  all  night. 

In  due  time,  a  large  company  of  men  and  boys  were  assembled, 
and  having  organized  into  bands,  with  preconcerted  signals, 
they  struck  on  into  the  forest,  while  the  mother  and  sisters  of 
the  missing  boy  sat  in  the  open  door  of  their  lonely  tenement 
to  await  the  slow  and  tedious  result,  and  so  as  to  be  in  a  situa- 
tion to  catch  the  first  sound  of  any  signal  guns  announcing  the 
fate  of  him  they  loved. 

Thus  passed  the  first  half  of  the  night.  The  hunt  proceeded 
with  great  fidelity,  so  that  every  rod  of  the  ground  was  inspect- 
ed, the  horns  sounding  at  regular  intervals  of  time,  so  as  to  pre- 
serve the  line  of  march,  or  to  catch  ♦he  rir  of  the  boy  if  perad- 
venture  he  was  alive. 

The  party  had  proceeded  on  carefully,  until  within  a  few  rods 
of  where  the  hero  of  the  play  kept  his  night  vigil,  b^fof  his 
dreams  were  disturbed  and  he  sufB/'iently  awake  to  knov^  hat 
it  was  for  his  benefit  that  the  horns  were  sounded  j  but  a 
fairly  awake,  he  was  not  long  in  vacating  his  quiet  retreat,  and 
arresting  the  further  progress  of  the  search,  by  presenting  him- 
self in  propria  personce^  with  his  axe  on  his  shoulder  and  gum 
bag  under  his  arm,  before  the  satisfied  cavalcade. 

Bang !  hang !  bang  !  rung  out  in  quick  succession  upon 
the  night  air,  reverberating  to  each  extremity  of  the  long  line 
of  weary  hunters,  the  preconcerted  signal,  which  notified  the 
quick  ear  of  the  listening  mother  and  sisters  that  Ellick  was 
safe.  There  was  more  joy  manifested  that  night  over  the  boy 
that  was  found  than  overfall  them  that  went  not  astray. 

A  Link  in  the  Chain. 


'«;|ft 


n 


!'/ 


'i 


'*■• 
;'*» 


356 


Watertouin. 


A  Man  shot  ^  his  Friend. — ^In  the  fa",  cf  1801,  there  was 
a  man,  whose  name  was  Dayton,  who  obtained  a  contract  for  a 
piece  of  land,  lying  south  of  the  road  to  Brownville,  za  you 
climb  the  Folts  Hill.  He  built  a  small  Jog  house  in  the  woods, 
near  the  present  road,  and  was  keeping  bachelor's  hall,  through 
the  months  of  September  and  October  of  that  year,  with  no 
other  companion  than  a  young  man  who  was  brother  to  his  wife. 
He  was  intending  to  remove  his  family  here  in  the  spring,  but, 
as  it  turned  out,  he  lacked  the  fortitude  and  courage  which  were 
requisite  for  pioneer  life. 

While  thus  living,  an  event  occurred,  which,  for  the  time  be- 
ing, quickened  the  pulses  of  the  entire  community,  and  which 
seemed  more  like  tragedy  than  any  previous  occurrence  in  our 
brief  history. 

There  was  a  project  for  a  squirrel  hunt,  among  the  scattered 
inhabitants  of  the  several  neighborhoods,  and  Dayton  and  his 
brother-in-law  were  expecting  to  participate  in  the  general  war 
against  the  squirrels  and  other  vermin,  who  were  likely  to  get 
more  than  a  fair  proportion  of  the  first  corn  crop  ever  cultivated 
in  these  wilds — though  they  themselves  had  no  cornfields.  And 
here  we  remark  by  the  way,  how  unselfish  men  become,  as  soon 
as  they  get  beyond  the  eld  settlements.  Mutual  dependence  soon 
exerts  a  softening  influence  upon  the  human  heart,  and  the  sym- 
pathies flow  out  without  stint  as  often  as  the  sufferings  present 
themselves  for  aid  or  sympathy.  This,  probably,  is  the  clue  to 
that  proverbial  happiness,  which  in  all  ^qes  and  in^  all  countries, 
dates  back  to  the  pioneer  settlements  in  a  new  country. 

With  the  purpose  of  having  his  gun  in  readiness  for  the  ap- 
proaching hunt,  JMr.  Dayton  took  it  down  one  evening,  from  its 
plac^  over-head,  and  sitting  down  before  the  blazing  fire,  laid 
it  across  his  knees,  preparatory  to  taking  off  the  lock  and  oiling 
its  pinions,  so  as  to  insure  a  smart  motion  of  the  hammer  spring. 
He  was  not  aware  that  it  contained  a  full  charge  of  powder  and 
shot,  or  that  it  was  loaded  at  all ;  but  carelessly  held  the  muzzle 
towards  his  friend,  who  was  sitting  in  the  oilier  corner  :  f  the 
fire-place,  keeping  up  a  cheerful  light,  by  timely  contributions 
of  light,  dry  combustibles,  to  the  open  fire.  It  is  probable  that 
he  pulled  the  trigger  without  thought  or  uotlve;  but  what  was 
his  horror  and  amazement,  when  his  piece  discharged,  with  a 
report  that  was  almost  deafening,  filling  the  room  with  smoke, 
and  when  he  heard  his  companion  fall  to  the  flocr^  exclaiming 
**/  am  shot !  I  am  shot  /" 

They  had  no  light  but  the  open  fire,  and  the  smoke  was  so 
thick  and  suffocating  that  no  examination  could  be  made.  It 
was  all  uncertain,  what  the  extent  of  the  injury  might  be;  but 
knowing  that  Doctor  Isaiah  Massey  bad  recently  arrived  from 


Watertown. 


257 


Vennont  to  share  our  fortunes  with  us,  and  that  he  was  hoarding 
at  our  village  tavern,  it  was  agreed  that  Dayton  should  find  his 
way  through  the  dark  pine  woods  which  intervened,  and  bring 
the  doctor. 

My  father  had  some  corn  collected  from  his  field,  and  with  the 
male  :!uembers  of  his  family — ^kind  men  and  boarders — doctor 
included,  was  in  the  house  Hog  barn),  husking;  and  my  mother 
was  keeping  her  night  vigils  alone  in  the  house,  when  her  ear 
detected  the  quick,  hurried  step  of  Mr.  Dayton,  as  he  rushed  into 
the  door,  exclaiming,  "  /  have  killed  my  brother,  and  war»i  the 
doctor  r*  As  soon  as  he  was  sufficiently  composed  to  state  his 
case  understandingly,  he  was  directed  to  the  husking  party>  for 
the  doctor,  while  my  mother,  as  if  by  instinct,  set  herself  about 
preparing  some  clean  linen  rags,  for  bandages  and  lint,  and  some 
tallow  candles  for  lights,  with  which  our  young  Esculapius  was 
soon  on  his  way,  on  horseback  and  alone,  to  answer  to  the  first 
case  of  surgery  and  gun  shot  wounds  which  had  presented  itself 
in  his  pioneer  practice.  '' 

He  was  evidently  a  good  deal  flurried,  as  he  struck  into  the 
woods  in  advance  of  his  guide,  to  endeavor  to  thread  his  dubi- 
ous way;  and  he  was  frequently  heard  to  say,  afterwards,  that  it 
was  the  greatest  trial  his  nerves  had  ever  endured. 

For  aught  he  knew  (and  in  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  as 
narrated  by  the  affrighted  Dayton,  a  thing  quite  probable),  his 
patient  was  already  dead,  and  stiffened  in  his  gore,  an  object 
frightful  enough,  to  be  visite'"  "^one,  by  broad  day  light;  how 
much  more,  in  the  dim  light  of  any  embers  which  might  be  left 
in  that  lonely  house  in  the  woods. 

His  near  approach  to  the  house,  which  he  after  a  while  suc- 
ceeded in  finding,  did  not  alleviate  his  feelings  much;  for  now, 
the  case  must  he  met,  whatever  may  be  its  developments.  The 
idea  of  stumbling  over  a  dead  man,  in  his  efforts  to  strike  a 
light,  o-  ;  f  groping  about  the  room  in  search  of  a  mutilated  hu- 
man bciiig,  was  all  his  nerves  would  bear,  and  he  trembled  in  his 
stirrups. 

H6  however  grew  ashamed  of  his  fear,  and,  after  listening  a 
moment  at  the  door,  tapped  gently  for  admittance  :  there  was 
no  answer.  He  lifteu  the  latch  and  pressed  his  weif  ht  against 
tHe  door,  but  it  was  fasiened  on  the  inside.  He  knoc!  .  :gain. 
'  vVho  is  there  ?"  sait^  '»-  young  man.  "The  doctor.*-  '*Wait 
a  minute  and  I  will  oj.  •;  the  door,**  said  he,  as  he  crawled  off 
his  couch  and  proceeded  to  take  away  the  barrier'!?  with  which 
he  had  fastened  the  door.  Hf  ^ologized  for  th.;  Ui  ly,  by  say- 
ing that  he  had  heard  that  wcivcii  were  attract  •:  •  j  the  smell 
of  blood,  and  that  finding  himself  bleeding  pretty  profusely,  he 
had  thought  it  prudent  to  fasten  himself  in. 


958 


fVatertoum' 


It  proved  to  he  a  case  of  no  imminent  danger,  after  all.  The 
charge  of  shut  irom  the  gun  had  penetrated  the  fleshy  part  of 
thf:  thsgb  of  the  yovxig  man,  and  after  a  proper  dressing,  for 
■which  tLf  :brethought  of  my  mother  had  amply  .provided  them, 
the  youtig  doctor  mo  :)u ; '  his  horse  and  returned  to  the  village, 
Avh  ;.f;  he  seen  w.  'jee(i«  i!  ii  allrying  the  fears  of  the  community, 
by  his  professional  opiiwon  that  he  would  recover,  with  proper 
care.  A  Link  in  the  Chain. 

A  Wolf  Story  of  Early  Times. —  In  the  brief  history  that 
I  wrote  out  for  yo  r  ptper  two  or  three  weeks  ago,  from  the 
e  (riy  traditions  of  our  town,  describing  a  scene,  which  was 
almost  a  tragf :'",  between  a  Mr.  Dayton  and  his  brother-in-law, 
at  the  foot  of  i!j  Fohs  Hill,  on  the  Brownville  road,  I  stated, 
that  the  unmnded  man  had  taken  the  precaution  to  fasten  his 
door  on  the  inside,  so  as  to  prevent  the  ingress  of  wolves  who 
might  be  attracted  hy  the  smell  of  blood,  while  Mr,  Dayton  was 
after  the  doctor. 

I  know  it  is  somewhat  difficult  for  the  present  generation  to 
comprehend  the  situation  of  peril  in  which  scattering  families 
were  placed  at  that  early  day,  or  that  there  was  any  real  and 
positive  danger  of  molestation  by  the  wolves;  and,  therefore,  I 
shsiill  transcribe  another  incident,  in  the  traditions  of  early  men 
and  early  times,  which  will  tend  to  correct  any  doubts  upon  that 
sutnect. 

The  late  Hon.  Jotham  Ives  was  among  the  early  emigrants 
into  this  town.  He  arrived  here  in  1801,  and  located  his  home, 
where  he  lived  to  amass  a  large  landed  property,  and  where  he 
died,  recently,  near  the  place  called  Field  Settlement. 

In  the  fall  of  1802,  he  had  a  number  of  hogs  fattened,  and  at 
killing  time  he  employed  a  Mr.  Knowlton,  an  old.  white-haired 
man  of  sixty  years  or  more,  who  was  somewhat  skilled  in  butch- 
ering, to  assist  him.  Knowlton  liveu  ^bo<-t  three-fourths  of  a 
mile  from  Mr.  Ives,  in  the  near  neighborhood  of  the  present 
residence  of  Mr.  Jamf  s  Brintnall,  where  he  had  a  little  clearing, 
or  what  was  perhaps  more  appropriately  called,  in  backwooc^ 
phrase,  a  chopping,  and  which  was  surrounded  by  a  temporary 
brush  fence.  Between  himself  and  Mr.  Ives  there  was  no  road; 
and  nothing  but  a  line  of  marked  trees  to  designate  \'ie  little 
fbo^;ath  which  meandered  through  the  dct; .  uavK;,  and  \\\  many 
p1;»  :,5  wangled  forest,  which  stretched  c:.  almost  interroirrjbly  on 
6':-       band.. 

'i     .  butchering  over,  and  supper  disposed  of,  it  was  agreed 

'<    t:  there  was  time  to  cut  up  the  pork,  and  Mr.  Knowlton  con- 

.    iled  to  stay  and  assist  in  doing  so.    At  a  late  hour,  the  whole 

>ork  was  finally  completed,  and  Mr.  Know  Hon  was  generously 


7t^.\ 


fVatertown. 


259 


for 


many 
jbly  on 


compensated  for  his  valued  services,  in  addition  to  which  he  was 
made  welcome  to  a  couple  of  the  hogs'  plucks,  to  carry  home  to 
his  family. 

But  as  he  was  about  to  leave  for  home,  Mrs.  Ives  suggested 
the  hazard  of  passing  through  the  woods,  at  that  late  hour,  with 
the  smell  of  blood  upon  his  clothes,  and  invited  him  to  stay  all 
night;  to  which  Knowlton  answered,  that  he  could  not  think  of 
being  away  from  his  family  all  night,  as  they  would  be  alarmed 
for  his  safety,  being  unable  to  account  for  his  absence;  that,  as 
for  the  wolves,  though  they  might  prowl  around  his  path,  they 
would  not  dare  to  molest  him. 

Now  Mr.  Ives  was  a  man  of  great  muscular  power,  and  would 
not  fear  a  regiment  of  wolves  himself,  and  though  he  assured 
Mr.  Knowlton  that  he  might  stay  in  welcome,  yet  he  scouted  the 
idea  of  danger  from  the  sneaking  cowardly  wolves;  he  advised 
him,  however,  that  in  case  he  should  be  followed  by  them,  to 
leave  the  plucks  for  them  to  quarrel  over,  while  he  should  hurry 
on  home. 

The  colloquy  being  ended,  Knowlton  finally  took  his  leave 
with  a  pluck  in  each  hand,  and  struck  into  the  woods,  to  endea- 
vor to  follow  out  his  little  foot  path.  He  had  not  proceeded  far, 
however,  before  a  sharp  and  startling  sound,  a  fearful  howl,  rang 
oat  upon  the  night  air,  evidently  betokening  the  near  neighbor- 
hood of  a  prowling  wolf  on  his  right,  which  was  answered  from 
another  quarter,  and  then  another,  in  quick  succession,  until  the 
path,  that  he  had  traveled  but  a  moment  before,  seemed  to  be 
alive  with  hungry  seekers  after  blood. 

He  had  yet  no  fears  for  his  personal  safety,  and  had  no  thought 
of  cowardice;  but  yet  he  confessed  that  there  was  something 
dismal  in  the  thought  of  being  alone  and  entirely  unarmed,  at 
such  a  time,  and  in  such  a  place,  groping  and  feeling  his  dubi- 
ous way  in  such  close  proximity  to  a  padc  of  ravenous  wild 
beasts;  and  he  soon  found  himself  quickening  his  pace,  while 
ever  and  anon  he  instinctively  cast  a  wistful  eye  over  his  shoulder, 
and  into  the  recesses  of  the  thick  woods  on  either  hand. 

It  was  not  long,  however,  that  any  doubt  remained  about  his 
being  the  object  of  their  pursuit,  as  his  quick  ear  detected  the 
galloping  movement  of  a  troop  of  pattering  feet  on  his  track, 
and  it  was  becoming  more  and  more  a  question  of  interest  with 
him  how  the  chase  would  terminate. 

He  hoped,  when  he  reflected  that  he  was  nearing  his  own 
habitation  every  moment,  and  his  path  was  becoming  plainer, 
and  he  was  able  to  make  better  progress.  But  the  odds  was 
with  them,  for  they  were  lighter  of  foot,  and  could  see  a  great 
deal  better  than  he  could  in  the  gloom  of  the  forest;  but,  more 
than  all,  they  were  so  many,  and  were  mad  with  hunger,  and 


260 


fVatertown. 


were  becoming  more  and  more  desperate  every  moment.  On, 
on,  on,  the  ola  man  strode,  resolutely,  and  with  a  strength  and 
speed  which  would  have  surprised  him  at  any  other  time,  even 
by  daylight,  but  which  seeined  slow  enough,  now  in  the  time  of 
Lis  extremity. 

If  he  could  but  keep  them  at  bay  a  little  longer,  and  until  he 
could  clear  the  dark  woods  and  get  the  benefit  of  the  compara> 
tively  open  light  uf  his  chopping,  or  lay  his  hand  upon  some 
strong  hand  spike,  or  sled  stake,  or  billet  of  wood,  he  might  still 
hope  to  defend  himself  successfully,  or  escape  frum  their  hungry 
jaws.  Straining  every  nerve,  he  bounded  on v«  ard  with  such  agility 
as  only  desperation  and  love  of  life  afford ;  but  the  distance  between 
him  and  his  pursuers  was  not  lessened  by  all  his  efforts;  and 
before  he  reached  the  brush  fence  that  surrounded  his  peaceful 
home,  he  felt  that  his  time  had  nearly  come,  when  he  bethought 
himself  of  the  parting  advice  of  his  friend  Ives. 

He  acted  upon  the  suggestion,  and  immediately  hurled  one  of 
the  plucks  into  their  midst;  in  the  next  moment  he  was  on  the 
home  side  of  his  brush  fence,  and  they  were  fighting  over  the 
paltry  price  with  which  he  had  purchased  his  own  safety.  It 
may  be  safely  assumed  that  he  did  not  wait  to  witness  the  result 
of  the  civil  war  which  he  had  occasioned,  but  that  as  soon  as 
possible  he  found  himself  on  the  inside  of  his  rude  domicil,  with 
the  door  fastened  on  the  inside. 

Mr.  Knowlton  lived  many  years  afler  the  event  which  I  have 
narrated,  and  died  a  natural  death; 'and  the  woods  which  were 
the  scene  of  our  story  have  long  since  been  cleared  away,  and 
the  wolves  are  only  known  as  figuring  in  the  history  of  the 
olden  time.  A  Link  in  the  Chain. 

In  lo03,  a  bridge  was  built  below  the  village  near  the  court 
house,  by  Henry  Qbffeen  and  Andrew  Edmunds,  over  which  the 
state  road  afterwards  passed,  and  in  1805  the  dam  was  built 
below  the  bridge,  at  which,  the  same  year,  a  saw  mill  was  built 
on  the  north  side,  and  in  1806  a  grist  mill  by  Seth  Bailey  and 
Gershom  Tuttle.  A  saw  mill  was  built  on  the  Watertown  side 
by  R.  &  T.  Potter,  a  little  below,  and  a  saw  and  grist  mill  soon 
after  by  H.  H.  Coffeen,  since  which  time  many  mills  have  been 
erected  along  the  river. 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  the  village  of  Watertown,  in  common 
with  the  whole  county  of  Jefferson,  while  it  vies  in  wealth  and 
enterprise  with  the  most  favored  portions  of  the  state,  owes  very 
little  if  any  thing  to  imported  capital.  In  m?st  instances  the 
wealth  now  existing  has  been  acquired  c  <  -  spot,  by  those 
who  at  an  early  period  were  thrown  upon  •.!.  a  own  immediate 
^exertium.  i  .r  support,  aD<^  ^rom  the  ashes  of  the  timber  that 


fVatertoum. 


361 


covered  the  land,  and  the  first  "rops  which  the  virgin  soil  yielded 
in  kind  profusion,  they  received  that  first  impulse  which,  second- 
ed by  industry,  prudence,  and  sagacity,  has  not  failed  in  bringing 
its  reward.  With  a  strong  conviction  that  the  place  wouM  at 
a  future  time  become  an  important  village,  Jonathan  Cowen, 
Henry  Coffeen,  Zechariah  ButterAeld,  Jesse  Doolittle,  Medad 
Canfield,  Aaron  Keyes,  Hart  Massey  and  Isaiah  Massey,  who 
owned  property  adjoining  the  present  public  square  and  Wash- 
ington street  in  Watertown,  held,  early  in  1805,  an  informal 
meeting,  and  agreed  to  give  forever  to  the  public  for  a  public 
mall  a  piece  of  land  twelve  rods  wide,  and  twenty-eight  long, 
and  another  running  south  at  right  angles  to  this,  nine  rods  wide, 
and  about  thirty-two  long.  They  then  directed  to  be  made  by 
John  Simons,  a  surveyor,  a  map  of  the  premises,  which  was 
done,  and  deposited  in  the  town  clerk's  ofhce,  but  this  was  after- 
wards lost.  An  attempt  was  subsequently  made  to  resume  the 
title,  and  sell  portions  of  the  public  square,  but  the  question 
having  come  into  the  courts,  was  decided  by  Judge  Nathan 
Williams  in  favor  of  the  public,  as  Mr.  Cowen,  the  claimant, 
although  he  had  never  deeded  land  on  the  public  square,  yet  he 
had  acknowledged  its  existence,  by  bounding  certain  convey-, 
ances  upon  it.*  In  the  same  year,  the  site  of  the  court  housa 
was  determined  by  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  governor 
for  that  purpose,  ot  without  the  most  active  influences  being 
used  at  Brownvillo  and  it  is  said  to  have  been  located  in  its 
present  site,  at  some  «.  .  ;e  below  the  business  portion  of  the 
village,  by  way  of  coL.^u'Dise. 

BurrvUk,  on  a  branch  of  Sandy  Creek,  deri^fes  its  name  from 
John  Burr,  and  several  sons,!  who  first  settled  here  abor*^  1802. 
The  place  was  considered  very  valuable  for  its  water  pr  .  and 
here  the  first  mills  in  Watertown  were  erected  in  accordai.  « Ith 
an  agreement  between  Silas  Stow,  agent  for  Low,  the  proprietor, 
and  Hart  Massey,  dated  June  1st,  1801,  by  which  they  were  to 
build  during  that  season,  a  saw  mill,  and  corn  mill,  to  be  owned 
equally  between  them.  The  latter  was  to  furnish  three  acres  of 
land  and  erect  *'^«  mills,  antl  the  former  to  furnish  provisions, 
irons,  millstone  expenses  generally,  the  expenses  to  be 

equalized  at  the  end  of  building.  They  were  accordingly  built 
that  summer,  and  soon  sold  to  Mr.  Burr.  They  proved  highly 
useful  to  the  surrounding  country,  whose  settlement  they  greatly 
promoted.    The  frame  of  the  grist  mill  is  still  used. 

Field's  Settlement,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  adjoining 
Houndsfield,  derives  its  name  from  Elijah  Fields,  from  Woodstock, 
Vermont,  who  with  a  family  of  nine  sons  and  three  daughters, 


hat 


*.See  Paige's  Chancenr  Reports,  iv,  p.  510. 

t  Thtodon  Barr,  a  celebnted  bridge  builder,  wu  a  eon  of  John  Burr. 


262 


fVatertown. 


1% 


mostly  of  mature  years,  and  some  of  them  with  families,  settled 
here  in  1805.  Jotham,  Titus,*  and  Joel  Ives,  three  brothers,  had 
located  in  the  vicinity  four  years  previous.  Near  the  centrt  of 
the  town.  Major  Allen,  Aaron  Brown,  Corlis  Hinds,  Tilley 
Richardson,  Reuben  Scott,  James  and  Eli  Rogers,  Benjamin 
Green,  and  others,  and  near  Burrville,  the  Hungerford  families, 
Caleb  and  Nathaniel  Burnham  and  many  more. 

An  act  of  1808,  directed  500  stand  of  arms  to  be  deposited 
at  Champion,  the  destination  of  which  was  by  an  act  of  March 
27th,  1809,  changed  to  Watertown,  and  an  arsenal  erected  in 
that  year.  The  arsenal  was  built  under  the  direction  of  Hart 
Massey,  Esq.,  collector  of  the  district  of  Sackets  Harbor,  at  an 
expense  of  $1,940*99.  It  has  given  its  name  to  the  street  on 
which  it  stands,  which  was  previously  called  Columbia  Street, 
and  was  maintained  by  the  state  as  an  arsenal,  until  sold  under 
the  act  of  April  9th,  1850.  The  brick  of  which  it  was  built 
were  furnished  by  Abraham  Jewett,  at  cost  of  $339'63;  the 
stone  were  cut  by  Thaddeus  Smith  and  Joseph  Cook,  ai  a  cost 
of  $110*80,  and  the  lime  L;  David  Stafford  and  Benjamin 
Goodale,  at  22  cents  per  bushel. 

In  Watertown  as  in  other  sections,  the  manufacture  of  potash 
formed  the  first  means  of  realizing  cash,  and  many  paid  in  whole 
or  in  part  for  their  lands  by  this  means.  In  1806,  $3,500j  in 
1807,  $t)':  0;  and  in  ISU8,  9000  worth  of  this  staple  was  ex- 
changed, the  market  being  .  hat  time  v.  Montreal.  In  1810, 
the  firm  of  Paddock  and  tmith  purchased  2S00  barrels, 
averaging  $40  per  barrel,  makinc  for  that  period  the  enormous 
aggregate  of  $112,000.  The  ciii  argo  which  preceded  the  war 
did  not  prevent  but  rather  increased  the  trade,  by  the  high  prices 
that  it  created,  but  the  declaration  oC  r  entirely  prostrated 
that,  and  every  other  energy  of  the  couatry,  except  that  the 
military  operations  of  that  period  required  large  supplies  of 
provisions  and  forage  forlhe  armies  on  this  frontier.  At  Water- 
town,  bodies  of  troops  were  stationed  for  short  periods,  and  the 
sick  were  often  sent  thither  for  that  attendance  which  could  not 
be  secured  at  Sackets  Harbor.  In  1811,  the  citizens  had  adopted 
measures  for  securing  the  benefits  of  an  academy,  and  erected  on 
the  s'le  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  a  brick  building  for 
that  purj/ose,  which  will  be  again  mentioned  in  our  account  uf 
academies.  This  building  was  used  as  a  hospital  for  a  consider- 
able time. 

Soon  after  the  war,  there  occurred  in  this  village  an  event 
which  excited  extraordinary  interest  throughout  the  country,  and 
of  which  many- accounts  have  been  published,  more  or  less  ap- 


*  Dr.  Titus  Ives  died  February  12th,  1847  of  apoplexy,  aged  69.     Jotham 
Ives  settled  in  1800,  and  is  said  to  have  raised  the  first  crop  of  wheat  in  town. 


fVatetioum. 


263 


proxitnating  to  the  truth, but  none  to  our  knowledge  giving  the  full 
and  correct  details.  Had  the  subject  depended  upon  us  alone,  to 
give  it  publicity,  it  might  have  been  properly  passed  over,  as  one 
of  those  events  that  should  be  forgotten,  in  charity  to  the  memory 
of  the  dead,  and  feelings  of  surviving  relatives,  but  as  it  has  been 
so  often  repeated  that  we  do  not  imagine  it  in  our  power  to  give 
it  wider  notoriety,  and  knowing  that  the  public  would  expect  a 
notice  of  the  event,  we  have  labored  to  procure  a  correct  ver- 
sion. The  narrative  may  effect  a  useful  purpose,  bv  exhibiting 
the  extent  to  which  one  error  leading  to  another  will  betray  one, 
at  the  same  time  serving  as  an  instructive  lesson  to  warn 
against  any  deviation  ^'rom  the  path  of  honor,  or  the  listening  to 
suggestions  that  compromise  principle. 

Samuel  Whittlesey,  originally  from  Tolland,  Ct,  had  removed, 
about  1807,  to  VVatertown,  and  engaged  in  business  as  a  lawyer. 
On  the  12th  of  February,  1811,  he  received  the  appointment  of 
district-attorney  for  the  territory  comprised  in  Lewis,  Jefferson 
and  St.  Lawrence  counties,  and  on  the  9th  of  February,  1813, 
he  was  superseded  by  the  appointment  of  Amos  Benedict,  who 
had  preceded  him.  Events  connected  with  this,  led  to  some 
sympathy  for  him,  and  the  office  of  brigade-paymaster,  which 
had  been  tendered  to  Mr.  Jason  Fairbanks,  wus  by  him  declined 
in  favor  of  Whittlesey,  and  he,  with  Perley  Keyes,  became  secu- 
rity for  the  honest  discharge  of  the  duties  of  the  office.  At  the 
close  of  the  war,  f  large  amount  of  money  being  due  to  the 
drafted  militia,  for  services  on  the  frontier,  Whittlesey  went  to 
New  York,  accompanied  by  his  wife,  to  obtain  the  money,  and 
received  at  the  Mechanics'  Bank  in  that  city,  $30,000,  in  one, 
two,  three,  five  and  ten  dollar  bills,  with  which  he  started  to  re- 
turn. At  Schenectady,  as  was  afterwards  learned,  his  wife*  re- 
{)orted  theraselved  robbed  of  $8,700,  an  occurrence  which  great- 
y  distressed  and  alarmed  him,  but  she  advised  him  not  to  make 
it  public  at  that  moment,  as  they  might  otherwise  better  take 
steps  that  might  lead  to  its  recovery,  and  on  the  way  home,  she 
in  an  arl.Mil  and  gradual  manner  persuaded  him,  that  if  they 

*  This  vicious  woman  had  got  her  husband  embroiled  in  repeated  difficulties 
in  Connecticut,  and  for  these  he  had  been  compelled  to  remove.  During  the 
war,  Lieut.  Col.  Tuttle,  being  taken  sick  at  Sackets  Harbor,  was  sent  to  Wa- 
tertown  and  placed  in  Whittlesey's  family  for  nursing.  He  grew  worse,  and 
died  very  soon  after,  under  suspicioua  circumstances,  and  although  he  was  sup- 

itosed  to  have  large  sums  of  money,  none  was  found,  Mrs.  Whittlesey,  not 
ong  after,  had  money  to  let.  Numerous  anecdotes  are  related  which  prove  her 
to  have  been  exceedingly  vain,  penurious  and  vicious.  With  decided  abilities, 
and  a  good  education,  she  possessed  a  moral  depravity,  and  evinced  the  absence 
of  those  virtues  that  adorn  the  sex,  to  a  degree  that  has  been  seldom  equalled. 
Her  treatment  to  a  domestic  had  been  so  barbarous  as  to  call  for  the  interfer- 
ence of  the  humane ;  her  ostentatious  airs  disgusted  whoever  came  into  her 
presence,  and  her  licentious  tongue  embroiled  her  neighborhood  in  quarrels. 


264 


Watertoum. 


should  report  the  robbery  of  a  part  of  the  money,  no  one  would 
believe  it,  as  a  thief  would  have  taken  the  whole,  if  any.  In 
short  (to  use  a  homelv  proverb),  she  urged  that  they  might  as 
well  "die  /or  an  old  sheep  as  a  lamb"  and  keep  the  rest,  as  they 
would  inevitably  be  accused  of  taking  a  part.  Her  artifice,  en- 
forced by  the  necessities  of  the  case,  tooK  effect,  and  he  suffered 
himself  to  become  the  dupe  of  his  wife,  who  was  doubtless  the 
chief  contriver  of  the  movements  which  followed.  Accordingly, 
on  his  reaching  home  he  gave  out  word  that  his  money  had  been 
procured,  and  would  be  paid  over  as  soon  as  the  necessary  pa- 
pers and  pay-roll  could  be  prepared.  In  a  few  days,  having  set- 
tled his  arrangements,  he  started  for  Trenton,  on  horseback,  with 
his  portmanteaus  filled,  stopping  at  various  places  on  his  way, 
to  announce  that  on  a  given  day  he  would  return,  to  pay  to  those 
entitled  their  dues,  and  in  several  instances  evinced  a  careless- 
ness about  the  custody  of  his  baggage,  that  excited  remark  from 
inn-keepers  and  others.  On  arriving  at  Billings'  tavern,  at 
Trenton,  he  assembled  several  persons  to  whom  money  was  due, 
and  proceeded  to  pay  them,  but  upon  opening  his  portmanteau, 
he,  to  the  dismay  of  himself  and  others,  found  that  they  had 
been  ripped  open,  and  that  the  money  w^as  gone!  With  a  pitia- 
ble lamentation  and  well-affected  sorrow  he  bewailed  this  rob- 
bery, instantly  despatched  messengers  in  quest  of  the  thief,  offer- 
ed $2,000  reward  for  his  apprehension,  and  advertised  in  staring 
handbills  throughout  the  country,  in  hopes  of  gaining  some  clue 
that  would  enable  him  to  recover  his  treasure.  In  this  anxiety 
he  was  joined  by  hundreds  of  others,  who  had  been  thus  indefi- 
nitely delayed  in  the  receipt  of  their  needed  and  rightful  dues, 
but  although  there  was  no  lack  of  zeal  in  these  efforts,  yet  no- 
thing occurred  upon  which  to  settle  suspicion,  and  with  a  heavy 
heart,  and  many  a  sigh  and  tear,  he  returned  home,  and  related 
to  his  family  and  friends,  his  ruin.  As  a  natural  consequence, 
the  event  became  at  once  the  absorbing  theme  of  the  country, 
for  great  numbers  were  effected  in  their  pecuniary  concerns  by 
it,  and  none  more  than  the  two  endorsers  to  the  securities  of 
\Vhittlesey.  These  gentlemen,  who  were  shrewd,  practical,  and 
very  observing  men,  immediately  began  to  interrogate  him, 
singly  and  alone,  into  the  circumstances  of  the  journey  and  the 
robbery,  and  Fairbanks  in  particular,  whose  trade  as  a  saddler 
led  him  to  be  minutely  observant  of  the  qualities  and  appear- 
ances of  leather,  made  a  careful  examination  of  the  incisions  in 
the  portmanteau,  of  which  there  were  two,  tracing  upon  pa- 
j)er  their  exact  size  and  shape,  and,  upon  close  inspection,  no- 
ticed pin  holes  in  the  margin,  as  if  they  had  been  mended  up. 
Upon  comparing  the  accounts  which  each  had  separately  obtain- 
ed in  a  long  and  searching  conversation,  these  men  became  con- 


fVatertoum. 


I 
S85 


vinced  that  the  money  had  not  been  stolen  in  the  manner  alleged, 
but  that  it  was  still  in  the  possession  of  Whittlesey  and  his  wife. 
To  get  possession  of  this  money  was  their  next  care,  anil,  after 
long  consultation,  it  was  agreed  that  the  only  way  to  do  this, 
was  to  gnin  the  confidence  of  the  family,  and  defend  them  man- 
fully against  the  insinuations  that  came  from  all  quarters,  that 
the  money  was  still  in  town.  In  this  they  succeeded  admirably, 
and  from  the  declarations  which  they  made  in  public  and  m 

firivate,  which  found  their  way  directly  back  to  ihe  family,  the 
tttter  were  convinced  that,  although  the  whole  world  were 
against  them  in  their  misfortunes,  yet  they  had  the  satisfaction 
to  know  that  the  two  men  who  were  the  most  interested,  were 
still  by  their  side.  To  gain  some  fact  that  would  lead  to  a 
knowledge  of  the  place  of  deposit,  Messrs.  Fairbanks  and  Keyes 
agreed  to  listen  at  the  window  of  the  sleeping  room  of  those 
suspected,  which  was  in  a  chamber,  and  overlooked  the  roof  of 
a  piazza.  Accordingly,  after  dark  one  would  call  upon  the  fam- 
ily and  detain  them  in  conversation,  while  the  other  mounted  a 
ladder  and  placed  himself  where  he  could  overhear  what  was 
said  within,  and  although  they  thus  became  convinced  that  the 
money  was  still  in  their  possession,  no  opinion  could  be  formed 
about  the  hiding  place.  Security  upon  their  real  estate  was  de- 
manded, and  readily  given. 

A  son  of  the  family  held  a  commission  in  the  navy,  and  was 
on  the  point  of  sailing  for  the  Mediterranean,  and  it  was  sus- 
pected that  the  money  might  thus  bp  ve  been  sent  off;  to  ascertain 


taking  a  criminal  to  the 

quirks  which  satisfied 

lowledge  of  the  affair, 

ackages  taken.     He 

a  nad  not  been  opened 

I    with  blocks  of  wood 


which,  Mr.  Fairbanks,  under  p.  ?. 
state  prison,  went  to  New  Y  •  u  i 
him  that  the  son  was  inno'  r  /a) 
and  ascertained  at  the  bank  :  >  .»  o 
had  been  told  by  Whittle?  y,  tin',  tl.r 
when  stolen,  and  by  maki>  :^  cxj  I'rii  - 
of  the  same  dimensions,  tlitj  icauiiy  ascertained  that  bundles  of 
that  size  could  not  be  got  through  an  aperture  of  the  size  reported, 
and  that  instead  of  a  seven  it  required  a  nineteen  inch  slit  in  the 
leather  to  allow  of  their  being  extracted.  Some  facts  were 
gleaned  at  Albany,  that  shed  further  light,  among  which  it  was 
noticed  that  Mrs.  W.  at  her  late  visits  (although  generally  very 
penurious  in  her  trades)  had  been  very  profuse  in  her  expenses. 
After  a  ten-days'  absence,  Mr.  F.  returned;  his  partner  having 
listened  nights  meanwhile,  and  the  intelligence  gained  by  eave 
dropping,  although  it  failed  to  disclose  the  locality  of  the  lost 
money,  confirmed  their  suspicions.  As  goods  were  being  boxed 
up  at  Whittlesey's  house  at  a  late  hour  in  the  night,  and  the 
daughters  had  already  been  sent  on  to  Sackets  Harbor,  it  was 
feared  that  the  family  would  soon  leave;  decisive  measures  were 

18 


266 


fVatertown. 


resolved  upon  to  recover  the  money,  the  ingenuity  and  boldness 
of  which  evince  the  sagacity  and  energy  of  the  parties.  Some 
method  to  decoy  Whittlesey  from  home,  and  frighten  him  by 
threats,  mutilation  or  torture,  into  a  confession,  was  discussed, 
but  as  the  latter  might  cause  an  uncontrollable  hemorrhage,  it 
was  resolved  to  try  the  effect  of  drowning.  Some  experiments 
were  made,  on  their  own  persons,  of  the  effect  of  submersion  of 
the  head,  and  Dr.  Sherwood,  a  physician  of  the  village,  was  con- 
sulted on  the  time  life  would  remain  under  water.  Having 
agreed  upon  a  plan,  on  the  evening  before  its  execution,  they  re- 
paired to  a  lonely  place  about  a  mile  south  of  the  village,  screened 
from  the  sight  of  houses  by  a  gentle  rise  of  ground,  and  where 
a  spring  issued  from  the  bank  and  flowed  off  through  a  miry 
slough,  in  which,  a  little  below,  they  built  a  dam  of  turf,  that 
formed  a  shallow  pool.  It  was  arranged  that  Mr.  Fairbanks 
should  call  upon  Whittlesey,  to  confer  with  him  on  some  means  of 
removing  the  suspicions  ^^hich  the  public  had  settled  upon  him, 
by  obtaining  certificates  of  character  from  leading  citizens,  and 
officers  of  the  army,*  and  that  the  two  were  to  repair  to  Mr. 
Keyes's  house,  which  was  not  far  from  the  spring.  Mr.  Keyes 
was  to  be  absent  repairing  his  fence,  and  to  leave  word  with 
his  wife,  that  if  any  one  enquired  for  him,  to  send  them  into  the 
field  where  he  was  at  work.  Neither  had  made  confiilants  in 
their  suspicions  or  their  plans,  except  that  Mr.  Keyes  thought 
it  necessary  to  reveal  them  to  his  son,  P,  Gardner  Keyes,  then 
seventeen  years  of  age,  whose  assistance  he  might  need,  in  keep- 
ing up  appearances,  and  in  whose  sagacity,  and  fidelity  in  keeping 
a  secret  he  could  rely. 

Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  July  17  (1815),  Mr.  Keyes, 
telling  his  wife  that  the  cattle  had  broken  into  his  grain, 
shouldered  his  axe,  and  went  out  to  repair  the  fence  which  was 
thrown  down,  and  Mr.  Fairbanks  called  upon  Whittlesey,  en- 
gaged him  in  conversation  as  usual,  and  without  exciting  the 
slightest  suspicion,  induced  him  to  go  up  lo  see  his  partner,  whom 
they  found  in  a  distant  part  of  the  field  at  work.  Calling  him 
to  them,  they  repaired  as  if  casually  to  the  spring,  where,  after 
some  trifling  remark,  they  explicitly  charged  him  with  the  rob- 
bery, gave  their  reasons  for  thinking  so,  and  told  him  that  if  he 
did  n9t  instantly  disclose  the  locality  of  the  money,  the  pool  be- 
fore him  should  be  his  grave.  This  sudden  and  unexpected 
•charge  frightened  their  victim;  but  with  a  look  of  innocence  he 
exclaimed,  "  I  know  nothing  of  the  matter."  This  was  no  sooner 
said,  than  he  was  rudely  seized  by  Mr.  Keyes  and  plunged  head 
foremost  into  the  pool,  and  after  some  seconds  withdrawn. 
Being  again  interrogated,  and  assured  th&t  if  the  money  were 
i<^3toredj  no  legal  proceedings  would  be  instituted;  he  again  pro- 


'  'ill"" 


>Vi— 


Watertown. 


267 


tested  his  innocence,  and  was  a  second  time  plunged  in,  held 
under  several  moments,  and  again  withdrawn,  but  this  time  insen- 
sible, and  ibr  one  or  two  minutes  it  was  doubtful  whether  their 
threats  had  not  been  executed;  but  he  soon  evinced  signs  of  life, 
and  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  sit  up  and  to  speak.  Per- 
haps nothing  but  the  certain  knowledge  of  his  guilt,  which  they 
possessed,  would  have  induced  them  to  proceed  further;  hut  they 
were  men  of  firmness,  and  resolved  to  exhaust  their  resource  of 
expedients,  rightly  judging  that  a  guilty  conscience  could  not 
long  hold  out  against  the  prospect  of  speedy  death.  He  was  ac- 
cordingly addressed  by  Mr.  Keyes  in  tones  and  emphasis  of  sober 
earnest,  and  exhorted  for  the  last  time,  to  save  himself  from  being 
hurried  before  the  tribunal  of  heaven,  laden  with  guilt — to  disclose 
at  once.  In  feeble  tones  he  reasserted  his  innocence,  and  was 
again  collared  and  plunged  in,  but  this  time  his  body  only  was 
immersed.  It  had  been  agreed  in  his  hearing,  that  Fairbanks 
(being  without  a  family)  should  remain  to  accomplish  the  work, 
by  treading  him  into  the  bottom  of  the  slough,  while  Keyes  was 
to  retire,  so  that  neither  could  be  a  witness  of  murder  if  apprC' 
hended;  and  that  on  a  given  day  they  were  to  meet  in  Kingston. 
Keyes  paid  over  about  ninety  dollars  to  bear  expenses  of  travel, 
and  was  about  to  leave,  when  the  wretched  man,  seeing  these 
serious  arrangements,  nnd  at  lenp^th  believing  them  to  be  an 
awful  reality,  exclaimed,  "I'll  tell  yo..  all  I  know  about  it!" 
Upon  this,  he  was  withdrawn,  and  when  a  little  recovered,  he 
confessed,  that  all  but  about  $9,000  (which  he  now,  for  the  first 
time,  stated  to  have  been  stolen  at  Schenectady)  would  be  found 
either  under  a  hearth,  at  his  house,  or  quilted  into  a  pair  of 
drawers  in  his  wife's  possession.  Mr.  Keyes,  leaving  their 
prisoner  in  charge  of  his  associate,  started  for  the  house,  and  was 
seen  by  his  wife,  coming  across  the  fields,  covered  with  mud, 
and,  to  use  the  words  of  the  latter,  "  Looking  like  a  murderer;" 
and  although  in  feeble  health,  and  scarcely  able  to  walk,  she  met 
him  at  the  door,  and  enquired  with  alarm,  "  What  have  you  been 
doing?"  He  briefly  replied,  "  We  have  had  the  old  fellow  under 
water,  and  made  him  own  where  the  money  is;"  and  hastily  pro- 
ceeding to  the  village,  related  in  few  words  to  his  friends,  Dr. 
Paul  Hutchinson,  and  John  M.  Canfield,  the  facts,  and  with  them 
repaired  to  the  house  of  Whittlesey.  Seeing  them  approach, 
Mrs.  Whittlesey  fled  to  her  chamber;  and  on  their  knocking  for 
admission,  she  replied,  that  she  was  changing  her  dress,  and 
would  meet  them  shortly.  As  it  was  not  the  time  or  place  for 
the  observance  of  etiquette,  Mr.  Keyes  rudely  burst  open  the 
door,  and  entering,  found  her  reclining  on  the  bed.  Disregard- 
ing her  expostulations  of  impropriety,  he  rudely  proceeded  to 
searcVi,  and  soon  found  between  the  straw  and  feather  bed,  upon 


'  * 


m 

1 

i9 

1 

r  99 

I 

1  ^H 

I 

IM 

1 

ii  IH 

i 

i',r  "Ji^H 

IB 

<';jf  i  iM| 

11 

;?« 

1  |l 

■I  II 


2(8 


fVaterfown.' 


which  she  lay,  a  quilted  garment,  when  she  exclaimed,  "  You've 
got  it!  My  God,  have  I  come  to  this!"  The  drawers  bore 
the  initials  of  Col.  Tuttle,  who  had  died  in  that  house,  under 
very  suspicious  circumstances;  were  fitted  with  two  sets  of  but- 
tons, for  either  the  husband  or  wife  to  wear,  and  contained  about 

thirty  parcels  of  bills,  laNeledt  "For  my  dear  son  C ,250   . 

of  5;"  "  For  my  dear  daughter  E ,  150  of  3;"  &c.,  amount- 
ing to  $15,000  to  her  five  children;  the  remainder  being  reserved 
for  her  own  use.  The  garment  also  contained  a  most  extraor- 
dinary document,  which  might  be  called  her  Wilt,  and  about 
which  she  expressed  the  most  urgent  solicitude,  imploring  that 
it  might  be  destroyed,  by  the  earnest  appeal  that,  "  You  have 
children  as  well  as  me/"  It  was  soon  after  published  in  the 
papers,  and  was  as  follows: 

"  It  is  my  last  and  dying  request,  that  my  children  shall  have 
all  the  money  that  is  contained  in  the  papers  which  have  their 
names  on,  which  is  three  thousand  dollars  for  each;  and  let  there 
be  pains  and  caution,  and  a  gr(  jt  length  of  time  taken  to  ex- 
change it  in.     God  and  my  owii  heart  knows  the  misery  I  have 
suffered  in  consequence  of  it,  and  that  it  was  much  against  my 
will  that  it  should  be  done.     I  have'  put  all  that  is  in  the  same 
bank  by  it,  that  I  had  from  prudence,  and  a  great  number  of 
years  been  gathering  Mp;  and  when  I  used  to  meet  with  bills  on 
that  bank  in  your  possession,  or  when  I  could,  I  used  to  ex- 
change others  for  them,  as  I  supposed  it  was  the  best,  and  would 
be  the  most  permanent  bank.  You  know  the  reason  of  your  tak- 
ing this  was,  that  we  supposed  that  from  the  lock  of  the  small 
trunk  being  broken,  and  the  large  one  being  all  loose,  and  the 
nails  out,  that  we  were  robbed  on  the  road  of  $8,700.     You 
know  that  I  always  told  you,  that  I  believed  it  was  done  in  the 
yard,  where  you,  as  I  told  you  then,  put  the  wagon  imprudently 
in  Schenectady.     Oh!    how  much  misery  am  I    born  to  see, 
through  all  your  improper  conduct,  which  I  am  forced  to  con- 
ceal from  the  view  of  the  world,  for  thr  sake  of  ray  beloved 
offsprings'  credit,  and  whereby  I  have  got  enemies  undeservedly, 
while   the  nubile  opinion  was  in  your  favor!      But  it  fully 
evinces  what  false  judgments  the  world  mokes.     Oh!  the  God 
who  tries  the  hearts,  and  searches  the  reins  of  the  children  of 
men,  knows,  that  the  kind  of  misery  which  I  have  suffered,  and 
which  has  riled  and  soured  my  temper,  and  has  made  me  appear 
cross  and  morose  to  the  public  eye,  has  all  proceeded  from  you, 
and  fixed  in  my  countenance  the  mark  of  an  ill-natured  dispo- 
sition, which  was  naturally  formed  for  loves,  friendships,  and 
all  other  refined  sensations.    How  have  I  falsified  the  truth,  that 
you  might  appear  to  every  advantage,  at  the  risk  and  ill-opinion 
of  the  sensible  world  towards  myself,  when  my  conscience  was 
telling  ma  I  was  dointr  wronir:  and  which,  with  evervthing  else 


Watertown. 


269 


God 
of 
and 
pear 
yon, 
spo- 
and 
that 
nion 
■was 
else 


that  I  have  suffered  since  I  have  been  a  married  woman,  has 
■worn  me  down  and  kept  rae  out  of  health;  and  now,  oh!  now,  this 
last  act  is  bringing  me  to  ray  grave  fast.  I  consented,  because 
you  had  placed  me  in  the  situation  you  did.  In  the  first  place 
you  were  delinquent  in  the  payment  to  government  of  eighteen 
or  nineteen  hundred  dollars.  Then  this  almost  $9,000  missing, 
I  found  when  you  come  to  settle,  that  you  never  could  make  it 
good  without  sacrificing  me  and  my  children,  was  the  reason  I 
consented  to  the  proposal.  I  did  you  the  justice  to  believe  that 
if  the  last  sum  had  not  been  missing,  that  you  would  not  have 
done  as  you  did;  but  I  am  miserable!  God  grant  that  ray  dear 
children  may  never  fall  into  the  like  error,  that  their  father  has, 
and  their  poor  unfortunate  mother  consented  to!  May  the  Al- 
mighty forgive  us  both,  for  I  freely  forgive  you  all  you  have 
made  me  suffer." 

The  money  being  counted,  and  to  their  surprise  found  to  em- 
brace a  part  of  the  sum  supposed  to  be  stolen,  Mr.  Keyes  went 
back  to  release  Whittlesey.  The  latter,  meanwhile,  had  related 
the  circumstances  of  the  robbery,  and  anxiously  enquired  whether, 
if  the  whole  was  not  found,  they  would  still  execute  their  pur- 
pose; to  which  Mr.  Fairbanks  replied  in  a  manner  truly  character- 
istic, "that  vdll  depend  on  circumstances"  No  one  was  more  sur- 
prised than  Whittlesey  himself,  to  learn  that  most  of  the  money 
was  found,  and  that  he  had  bee  \  robbed  at  Schenectady  hy  his 
own  wife.  He  begged  hard  to  be  released  on  the  spot,  but  it 
was  feared  he  would  commit  suicide,  and  he  was  told  that  he 
must  be  delivered  up  to  the  public  as  sound  as  he  was  taken,  and 
was  led  home.  The  fame  of  this  discovery  soon  spread,  and  it 
was  with  difficulty  that  the  villagers  were  restrained  from  evin- 
ciug  their  joy  by  the  discharge  of  cannon.  Mr.  Whittlesey 
was  led  home,  and  placed  with  guard  in  the  room  with  his  wife, 
until  further  search;  and  here  the  most  bitter  criminations  were 
exchanged,  each  charging  the  other  with  the  crime,  and  the 
wife  upbraiding  the  husband  with  covvardicfe,  in  revealing  the 
secret.  The  guard  being  withdrawn  in  the  confusion  that  ensued, 
Mrs.  Whittlesey  passed  from  the  house,  and  was  seen  by  a  person 
at  a  distance,  tu  cross  the  cemetery,  of  Trinity  church,  where  on 
passing  the  grave  of  a  son,  she  paused,  faltered,  and  fell  back, 
overwhelmed  with  awful  emotion;  but  a  moment  after,  gathering 
new  energy,  she  hastened  on,  rushed  down  the  high  bank  near 
the  ice  cave,  aud  plunged  into  the  river.  Her  body  was  found 
floating  near  the  lower  bridge,  and  efforts  were  made  to  recover 
life,  but  it  was  extinct! 

With  a  remarkable  familiarity  with  death,  she  had  years  be- 
fore prepared  her  own  shroud,  and  chosen  the  text*  and  psalm 

•  II  Corinthiana,  v,  I. 


m*it^^BB 

^Hufl 

SHIt  H 

>   tfm^D 

III 

HJii 

SB^'1 

f'  'Sn 

fli'' 

m 

w 

'km 

Iw' 

nm 

■  H 

'^  «'9H| 

ilHi 

III 

!i' 


i}70 


ff^atertown. 


she  wished  to  have  used  at  her  funeral;  but  the  Rev.  Mr.  Panks, 
who  officiated  on  th,e  occasion,  not  deeming  these  applicable  to 
the  case,  selected  the  sixth  commandment,  for  a  text,  and  a 
hymn  in  Watt's  Collection,  commencing  with, 

"  Beath,  'tis  a  melancholy  day." 

She  was  buried  beside  her  son,  and  near  Colonel  Tuttle,  whom 
she  is  supposed  to  have  poisoned.  Her  husband  remained  in 
town  nearly  a  year,  and  then  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he 
afterwards  became  a  justice,  and  a  county  judge,  and  by  an  ex- 
emplary life  won  the  respect  of  community;  and  although  the 
details  of  this  affair  followed  him,  yet  the  censure  of  opinion 
rested  upon  the  wife.  He  has  been  dead  many"  years.  The 
sympathies  of  the  public  were  not  withheld  from  the  children  of 
this  lamiiy,  who  were  thus  cast  penniless  and  disgraced  upon  the 
world.  Many  details  connected  with  the  affair  we  have  not 
given;  among  whir'-  were  several  attempts  to  throw  suspicion 
upon  innocent  parties  by  depositing  money  on  their  premises, 
writing  anonymous  letters,  &c.,  which  serve  but  to  aggravate 
the  crime,  by  betraying  the  existence  of  a  depravity  on  the  part 
of  the  chief  contriver  in  the  scheme,  which  has  seldom  or  never 
been  equaled.  The  marked  bills,  amounting  to  $400,  had  been 
dropped  on  the  road  to  Sackets  Harbor,  and  w^ere  found  by  Mr. 
Gale,  who  prudently  carried  them  to  a  witness,  counted  and 
sealed  them,  and  after  the  disclosure  brought  them  forward.  Mr. 
Whittlesey  stated  that  he  expected  some  one  would  find  and  use 
the  money,  when  he  could  swear  to  the  marks,  and  implicate 
the  finder.  Mr.  Gale,  upon  hearing  this,  was  affected  to  tears, 
and  exclaimed.  "  Mr.  Whittlesey,  is  it  possible,  you  would  have 
been  so  wicked  as  to  have  sworn  me  tu  state  prison  for  being 
honest!'" 

Congress,  on  the  11th  of  January,  1821,  passed  an  act  di- 
recting the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  cancel  and  surrender  the 
bond  given  by  Whittlesey,  and  endorsed  by  Fairbanks  &  Keyes, 
on  condition  of  the  latter  giving  another,  payable  with  interest 
in  two  years. 

To  give  interest  to  this  account,  we  offer  the  portrait  of  one 
of  the  parties,  engraved  from  a  recent  daguerreotype;  and  in  the 
appendix  will  insert  some  anecdotes  illustrative  of  the  peculiar 
characteristics  of  Mr.  Fairbanks,  whose  public  life  and  promi- 
nent business  operations  have  made  him  extensively  known. 

The  village  of  Wtertown  was  incorporated  April  5,  1816. 
The  act  provided  for  the  election  of  five  trustees,  who  Avere  to 
possess  the  powers  and  immunities  usually  vested  in  similar  cor- 
porations. These  extended  to  the  formation  of  a  fire  department, 
the  construction  of  water  works,  regulation  of  markets,  streets, 


■k^ 


■$■ 


'jy-.-.'  ;--;ja.iV™-arl' 


■«ivj<#"-''  'V 


816. 
re  to 
1  cor- 
lent, 
leets, 


// 


0a,>7y^-       /     ■    .    rA-l 


A. 


\  If 


I 


870 


^yatf-ftown. 


ato  vvi«i»l»»HVK«  %f'*'r--3^  m.  h«9  t'eneAal;  but  the  Rev.  Air.  Banks, 
^8l»*l»ii^'  ■;c«tei<'*!,  fiot  deernintj;  .tJ)ese  applii-Aijlt;  to 

tfe^^         .  f-^^J%  '(^inmand'iiunt,  lor  a  itxt,  and  a 

"  Death,  'tit »  B»elancholy  day.'' 

..^m^  '■^■■Jfi  buried  besiue  h*;r  roo,  «nd  near  Colonel  Tuttlc,  whow! 
^jt'^  supposed  to  Imi«|I  ^isontd.  Her  husband  remained  m 
%i>)^{  nearly  a  yenr,  a«dl  U«n>  it-rnovtd  to  Iri(iif».'i,  where  fen 
-sciUj-warcb  U;cariic  a  j«*<ik^  ?-  :d  a  county  judge,  ana  by  an  ei- 
■eutplnr^  iile  won  the  vesj  •■-ommunity;  and  although  life 

dfiails  of  this  aii'asr  t"o)low«.i   »»m>  yet  ibi;  cinsuie  ox  opifii' 
rt!Sled  upon  the  wife.     H«  fe**    ?=s*a  dead  uiauy*  years:     i. 
sympathies  of  the  public  wws  l»<U  witSvi^-W  frnin  ihc  childr*:: 
this  lamily,  wboM'cre  thus  i;«si  peimiit*.!  .«..  ..i-Li,raced?'U})ort  i- 
•world.     Many  Uetails  connt-ctt'd  with   tfe    h^ait   we  have  <? 
given;  among  which  were  several  iitteiopts  lo" throw  suspic*. 
upon  innocent  parties  by  dcpositinc;  saoney  on  their  pvcnu- 
writing  anonymous  I,etter6;,  »^c,,  wbicii  serv«^  but  to  aggr.r 
the  crirue,  by-  betraying  the  existence  of  a  depravity  on  the 
of  the  chief  eootriver  in  !l;c  bcljeme,  which  has  seldom  or  iv      ' 
been  ecjuaied.     The  niarlf^d  hills,  amounting  to  $400,  had  ! 
dropped  on  the  roavl' to  SacJvetw  Harbor,  and  were  found  by 
Gale/nhb  prudently  carried  theu>  to  a  witness,  counted 
seah;d  thenx,  and  alter  the  disclosiure  brought  ihcin  forward. 
Whittlesey  stated  tlmt  h«  expected  some  on«  wauld  iind  <;*- 
tht;  motf^y,  when  he 'Could  swear  to  the  marks,  and  imp 
thf  {ifhier.     M)f»  jCiaUij  upon  hearing  tiiis,  was  affected  to  : 
ai)dexcivnju<s<t'  ^  kh 
breu  ao  wick'-KJ  '4&  ^r. 

■' .-^ss^  ■«»;,  on  Ihii  1  UU"«-,-f  J3s'»ary.   1S21,  passed  ati  ^mi^^ 
ts^i'^tKM  ''^'  ms^'m-i^fv  <»4  tbe  treasury  xo  cancel  and  surrt"**.'*.;-  ^,f: 
inrntfi  5fiWa8  V*  W'fc*^tjs*f,'*|a»«{  ct^oiw-d  by  Fairbanks  *t„fe*vf!!,, 
cit  cruj«i<.;«>«    iff?  «^  UT^JSfj-^.viisg  jj^utosr,  payable  ^tih  n-msf'- 
in  two  yestiiv. 

To  give  iiilere.st  to  ift,*^  *2«"^«fl    \9t  cffcr  the  portrn  t*  m6  ■*;* 
of  tile  parties-,  engraved  ir',.r?.  »  f  -  ,/^4  !^».i,"je; rc^'ty^x* •  imji  -  %- 
appendix   .vilJ   jnsict  -jvnue  anefd-j-^  i}h«''**rative  oi  the  jv?.  ■.'ft^ 
characteristics  of  iVir,  Fairbanks,  whiwe  pijbiic  lite  am^  ^^ 
nent  business  operations  liave  rsjiide  i'tiu  exteasjvfj}  knffWij 

The  village  of  VVptertown  \va.s   incorporate^i  Apiil   >    wfe»#. 
The  act  provided  for  tixe  eiectioi;  ot"  live  trti*iUr<-s,   who  ■^fmnhf-^ 
posssess  the  po-wers  and  iuiujunities  niinaUy  */ tred  in  »»»»!%;  -*'• 
^.'orgtions.    These  extended  to  *ln<  fijtinriti.>u  vt  u  liredciix'^i^-'-'  - 
*hf  coi4r action  of  in*i»tv  works,  regulnttou  ol  markeW,  *v">t    ..• 


Vi  lii4.tlesey,  is  it  possible,  you  \vo\iii 
4j^«»  *'Auna  Jue  to  state  prisorx  fo 


^m^ 


'■■'■ 


•-ifriTed  by;  CSitiie  from  iDa|uertco'-VV° 


^i 


0- 

i 

•1 

'i-fl 


■!t 


•lis' 


1»lfl' 


&c.;   th( 
'    measure! 
the  supj 
lector,  ai 
exceed in 
occur  on 
one  of  t 
clerk.    1 
appoint  I 
enforce, ; 
tions  wh 
was  coos 
tlon  of  tl 
On  the 
bounds  o 
of  April, 
further  ai 
empower 
to  impro^ 
water  to 
election  \ 
granting 
visions  oi 
The  villai 
by  which] 
to  be  divi 
assessors, 
were  to  b( 
there  are 
and  the  p 
The  fir 
in  May, 
officers  w 
Pearce,  A 
Reuben  ( 
Micah  St 
Samuel  '* 
Henry,  Ji 

Trustees 
{Tl 

1816, 
anus  W. 

1817, 
Jason  Fai 

1818, 

Gonilalfi. 


1 


Watertown. 


273 


&c.;  the  building  of  hay  scales,  supervision  of  weights  and 
measures,  and  whatever  related  to  the  preservation  of  health,  or 
the  suppression  of  nuisances.  Three  assessors,  a  treasurer,  col- 
lector, and  five  fire  wardens  were  to  be  also  elected.  Fines,  not 
exceeding  $25,  might  be  imposed.  The  annual  election  was  to 
occur  on  the  first  Monday  of  May,  and  the  trustees  were  to  choose 
one  of  their  number  for  president,  and  some  proper  person  for 
clerk.  The  president,  with  the  advice  of  the  trustees,  was  to 
appoint  a  company,  not  exceeding  twenty,  of  firemen,  and  to 
enforce,  in  the  name  of  the  trustees,  the  ordinances  and  regula- 
tions which  they  might  establish.  The  village  of  Watertown 
was  constituted  one  road  district,  and  exempted  from  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  town  commissioners. 

On  the  7th  of  April,  1820,  an  act  was  passed  altering  the 
bounds  of  the  village,  and  amending  the  charter;  and  on  the  17th 
of  April,  1826,  and  26th  of  April,  1^31,  the  charter  was  still 
further  amended.  On  the  22d  of  March,  1832,  the  trustees  were 
empowered,  by  an  act,  to  borrow  a  sum  not  exceeding  $2,000, 
to  improve  the  fire  department  of  the  village,  and  supply  it  with 
water  to  be  used  in  fires,  and  April  21,  1832,  the  doings  at  an 
election  were  confirmed.  An  act  was  passed  April  23,  1835, 
granting  additional  powers  to  the  trustees,  repealing  former  pro- 
visions of  the  charter,  and  authorizing  the  erection  of  a  market. 
The  village  charter  was  amended  by  an  act  of  April  16,  1852, 
by  which  its  bound?  were  increased, the  district  included  directed 
to  be  divided  into  from  five  to  seven  wards.  A  president,  three 
assessors,  a  clerk,  treasurer,  collector,  and  two  police  constables, 
were  to  be  elected  annually,  and  one  trustee  to  each  ward,  of  which 
there  are  five.  Elections  are  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  March, 
and  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  trustees  were  much  extended. 

The  first  village  election  was  held  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Lee, 
in  May,  18 16,  David  Bucklin,  Esq.,  presiding,  and  the  following 
officers  were  chosen:  Timothy  Burr,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Olney 
Pearce,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  and  Norris  M.  Woodruff,  trustees; 
Reuben  Goodale,  WilMam  Smith,  Orville  Hungerford,  assessors; 
Micah  Sterling,  treasurer;  Seth  Otis,  collector;  Jabez  Foster, 
Samuel  Watson,  Jr.,  Rufus  Backus,  William  Fletcher,  Joseph 
Henry,  ^re  wardens.  ♦ 

Trustees  of  the  village  of  Watertown  since  its  incorporation. 
{The  one  elected  president  is  placed  first  in  Italics.) 

1816,  Timothy  Burr,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Olney  Pearce,  Mari- 
anus W.  Gilbert,  Norris  M.  Woodruff. 

1817,  Isaac  Lee,  Silas  Marvin,  Wm.  Tanner,  Andrew  Newell, 
Jason  Fairbanks. 

1818,  Orin  Stone,  Wm.  Smith,  Chauncey  Calhoun,  Reuben 
GoodalCi  Dyer  Huntinstcn. 


**i 


974 


Watertown. 


18 1*),  William  Smith,  Orin  Stone,  Cbauncey  Calhoun,  Reuben 
Gaodale,  Dyer  Huntington. 

1820,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,*  David  W. 
Bucklin,  Andrew  Newell,  N.  M.  WoodrulF. 

1821,  Olney  Pearce,  Andrew  Newell,  James  Q.  Adams,  Charles 
E.  Clarke,  David  W.  Bucklin. 

1822,  David  W.  Bucklin,  Calvin  McKnight,  Marianus  W. 
Gilbert,  Dyer  Huntington,  Adriel  Ely. 

1823,  Orville  Hungerford,  Dyer  Huntington,  John  Sigourney, 
James  Q.  Adams,  Loveland  Paddock. 

1824,  Orville  Hunger/ord,  Dyer  Huntington,  Silas  Marvin, 
John  Sigourney,  Norris  M.  WoodrufF. 

1825,  Olney  Pearce,  Noah  W.  Kiniston,  Marianus  W.  Gil- 
bert, Andrew  Newell,  John  SafTord. 

1826,  Olney  Pearce,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  Noah  W.  Kiniston, 
Andrew  Newell,  John  SafTord. 

1827,  JVorris  M.  Woodruff',  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  Orin  Stone, 
William  D.  Ford,  Cbauncey  Calhoun. 

1828,  Morris  M.    Woodruff,  Chauncey  Calhoun,  Loveland 
Paddock,  Jeremiah  Holt,  John  Sigourney. 

1829,  J^orris  M.  Woodruff,  Dyer  Huntington,  John  Sigourney, 
Robert  Lansing,  Isaac  H.  Bronson. 

1830,  JVorris  M.  Woooruff,  Dyer  Huntington,  John  Sigourney, 
Robert  Lansing,  Isaac  H.  Bronson. 

1831,  JVorris  M.  Woodruff,  Dyer  Huntington,  Nathaniel  Wi- 
ley, Otis  Colwell,  Rufus  Sherman. 

1832,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Alanson  Tubbs,  Isaac  H.  Bronson, 
Milton  Carpenter,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert. 

1833,  Orville  Hunger/ord,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  John  Clarke, 
Philo  C.  Walton,  Henry  H.  Coffeen. 

1834,  Orville  Hunger/ord,  Henry  H.  Coffeen,  Marianus  W. 
Gilbert,  Nathaniel  Wiley,  Luther  G.  Hoyt. 

1835,  Orville  Hunger/ord,  Henry  H.  Coffeen,  Marianus  W. 
Gilbert,  Nathaniel  Wiley,  David  D.  Otis. 

1836,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Hiram  Holcomb,  Frederick  W.  White, 
Robert  Lansing,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert. 

1837,  Dyer  Huntington,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  Daniel  Lee, 
Reuben  Goodale,  Lewis  R.  Sandiibrth. 

1838,  Dyer  Huntington,  Reuben  Goodale,  Daniel  Lee,  Mari- 
anus W.  Gilbert,  John  C.  Lasher. 

1839,  David  D.  Otis,  Freeman  Murray,  Marianus  W.  Gilbert, 
Otis  Colwell,  William  H.  Robinson. 

1840,  George  C.  Sherman,  Orville  Hungerford,  Otis  Colwell, 
William  H.  Robinson,  Freeman  Murray. 

*  Appointed  December  1,  1820,  in  place  of  Ten  Eyck^  resigned. 


IVatertown. 


275 


r  Huntington,  David 
rgdBurr,  C.  Col  well, 


1841,  \Villiam   Wood,    George  Burt,    Orville   Hungerford, 
Stephen  Boon,  Jr.,  William  Ragan. 

1842,  William  11.  Robinson,  Loveland  Paddock,  Calvin 
Wright,  Kilborn  Hannahs,  Peter  S.  Houk. 

1843,  William  H.  Robinson,  Daniel  Lee,  John  D.  Crowner, 
Loveland  Paddock,  Nathaniel  Wiley. 

1844,  Benjamin  Cory,  Daniel  Lee, 
D.  Olis,  Winslow  Partridge. 

l8'lb,Di/er  Huntington,  G.  C.  To;  :j , 
Orville  V.  Brainard. 

1846,  Orville  V.  Brainard.  C.  Colwell,  Horace  W.  Woodruff, 
V.  W.  Hubbard,  John  F.  Hutchinson. 

1847,  Stephen  Boon,  John  Sigourney,  Gilbert  Woodruff,  H. 
W.  Woodruff,  L  Munson. 

1848,  Peter  S.  Hov/c,  John  C.  Lasher,  Nehemiah  Van  Ness, 
H.  W.  Woodruff,  Stephen  Boon. 

1849,  David  D.  Otis,  Nathaniel  Farnhani,  Calvin  Auborn, 
J.  H.  Napier,  Peter  Haas. 

1850,  David  D.  Otis,  C.  Colwell,  Pierson  Mundy,  N.  Farnham, 
Marcus  Hungerford. 

1851,  Joshua  Moore,  Jr.,  Peter  Horr,  K.  Hannahs,  John  H. 
Napier,  Isaac  H.  Fisk. 

1852,  Kilborn  Hannahs,  C.  H.  Wright,  O.^V.  Brainard,  L 
Munson,  J.  M.  Clark. 

1853,  Joseph  Mullin, president;  William  A.  Luomis,  B  aja- 
min  Cory,  Abner  Baker,  Charles  Clarke,  PhiloL.  Scovil,<ru5/ec*.' 

The  trustees,  at  their  first  meeting,  divided  the  village  into 
five  wards,  to  each  of  which  a  fire  warden  was  to  be  assigned, 
and  each  was  to  be  supplied  with  four  ladders.  A  series  of 
regulations  providing  against  fires  and  making  provisions  for 
the  several  objects  named  in  the  charter  was  also  adopted.  A 
fire  company  was  organized  May  28th,  1817,  and  at  a  meeting 
of  freeholders  called  for  the  purpose  on  the  10th  of  June,  the 
sum  of  $200  was  voted  for  the  purchase  of  a  fire  engine. 
February  6th,  1818,  $500  voted  to  assist  in  building  a  bridge 
near  Newel's  brewery.  May  4th,  1818,  a  committee  of  three 
appointed  to  confer  with  the  supervisors  concerning  the  purchase 
of  a  bell  for  the  court  house.  On  the  22d  of  May,  1821,  a  plan 
of  supplying  the  village  with  water  was  discussed,  and  on  sub- 
sequent occasions  action  was  taken  toward^^  "he  erection  of  reser- 
voirs near  the  factory,  but  this  measure  ally  failed.  On  the 
27th  of  October,  1823,  a  plan  for  a  cemetery,  previously  pur- 
chased of  H.  Massey,  was  accepted,  and  on  the  6th  of  December, 
1825,  the  lots,  one  rod  square  each,  were  balloted  for,  each  tax- 
able resident  being  entitled  to  one  share.  To  non  residents,  lots 
might  be  sold,  the  proceeds  to  be  applied  to  the  building  of  a 


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WIBSTiR.N.Y.  14580 

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tomb.  Four  lots  were  to  be  dr&wn,  one  for  each  of  the  clergy 
of  the  Tillage.  A  hook  and  ladder  company  was  voted  to  be 
formed,  in  May,  1826.  Junn  Kth,  1828,  $150  voted  for  im- 
proving the  public  square,  arj  $50  for  boring  for  water  in  the 
public  well.  On  the  31st  of  December  following,  $50  were 
appropriated  to  aid  in  digging  for  water  on  Factory  Square. 
At  the  annual  meeting  in  1829  the  proceeds  of  licenses  in  the 
1st  ward  were  applied  towards  procuring  water  for  the  village. 
On  the  21st  of  May,  $200  were  voted  for  boring  for  water.  In 
pursuance  of  this  object,  an  Artesian  well  was  commenced  on  the 
public  square,  and  had  been  sunk  many  feet,  when  the  work 
was  stopped  by  the  maliciously  dropping  cf  a  drill  into  the  hole 
with  the  steel  point  upwards. 

At  a  meeting  held  November  24th,  1831,  the  inhabitants  ad- 
vised the  trustees  to  purchase  a  new  fire  engine,  and  the  sum  of 
$50  was  directed  to  be  drawn  out  of  .'be  village  treasury,  and 
presented  to  Messrs.  Barrett  &  Parker,  for  their  prompt  and  ef- 
ficient exertions  with  their  new  engine  at  the  late  fire  in  the 
village.  A  fire  company  to  be  attached  to  the  engine,  belong- 
ing to  the  Jefferson  Cottop  Mills,  was  formed  August  Sth,  1832. 
Dyer  Huntington  was  at  the  same  time  appointed  chief  engineer, 
and  Adriel  Ely  assistant  engineer  of  the  nre  department. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  18%2,  a  special  meeting  of  trustees  was 
held  to  adopt  measures  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  Asiatic 
cholera,  which  was  at  that  time  spreading  terror  throughout 
the  country.  Sobriety,  regularity,  temperance,  !>.nd  cleaminess 
were  recommended  as  the  most  efficient  preventives  of  the  dis- 
ease. One  trustee,  one  fire  warden,  one  physician,  and  three 
citizens,  were  appointed  in  each  ward  to  t^e  efficient  measures 
for  enforcing  sanitary  regulations.  A  special  meeting  of  citizens 
convened  at  Barson's  Hotel,  on  the  next  day,  and  after  the  read- 
ing  of  several  papers  from  Albany,  Ogdensburgh,  and  Prescott, 
a  *'  committee  of  health,"  consisting  of  twelve  persons,  w&i 
appointed,  and  Drs.  Trowbridge,  Crawe,  Wright,  Green,  Good- 
ate,  Sykes,  Tagg,  and  Safford,  were  named  as  a  committee  to 
consult  with  (he  hr.tl^L  committee.  The  state  and  national  legis- 
latures were  petitioned  for  a  law  preventing  the  landing  of 
foreigners,  rad  for  powers  similar  to  those  given  to  cities.  The 
surrounding  towns  and  villages  were  invited  to  codperate  in  the 
adoption  of  sanitary  measures.  Three  days  after  the  passage  of 
the  act  of  June  22d,  for  the  preservation  of  the  public  health, 
the  following  persons,  viz:  Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  Levi  BeeDee, 
John  Sigourney,  Orville  Hungerford,  William  Smith,  Norris  M. 
Woodrulr,  and  Peleg  Burchard,  were  appointed  a  board  ot 
health,  and  Dr.  I.  B.  Crawe,  was  elected  health  officer.  . 

On  the  3d  of  May,  1833,  a  board  of  health  was  again  ap- 


I 


IVatertoun. 


277 


pointed,  consisting  of  William  Smith,  Levi  Beebee,  P.  Bur- 
chard,  N.  M.  Woodruff,  and  John  Sigoumey;  Dr.  I.  B.  Grawe, 
health  officer. 

On  intelligence  being  received  from  Montreal  of  the  reap- 
pearance  (^f  the  cholera,  a  special  meeting  of  trustees  was  called, 
August  ]st,  1834,  and  a  new  board  of  health  appointed.  ' 

In  compliance  wUh  an  act  of  1882,  revived  by  the  legislature, 
April  16tn,  1849,  am!  in  pursuance  of  the  proclamation  of  the 
governor,  the  trustees  of  Watert'^wn,  June  19th,  1849,  organized 
a  board  of  health,  to  adopt  sanitary  regulations  as  preventives 
of  the  Asiatic  cholera,  then  ravaging  some  sections  of  the  Union. 

A  census  of  Watertown,  taken  in  April  1827,  gave  1098  males, 
and  941  females,  a  gain  of  500  in  two  years.  There  were  321 
buildings,  of  which  224  were  dwellings;  3  stone  churches 
(Methodist,  Universal ist,  and  Presbyterian);  court  house,  and 
jail;  clerk's  office;  arsenal;  1  cotton  factory  with  1300  spindles, 
another  (Beebee's)  then  building;  I  woolen  factory;  3  paper 
mills;  3  lar[;e  tanneries;  3  flouring  mills;  1  furnace;  1  nail 
factory;  2  machine  shops;  2  fulling  mills;  3  carding  machines; 
2  distilleries;  1  ashery;  2  pail  factories;  1  sash  factory;  2  chair 
factories;  1  hat  factory;  4  wagon  shops;  2  paint  shops;  4  cabi- 
net and  joiner  shops;  8  blacksmiths;  4  tailor  shops;  7  shoe 
shops;  3  saddle  and  harness  shops;  8  taverns;  15  dry  good 
stores;  2  hardware  stores;  2  hat  stores;  2  book  stores;  2  leather 
stores;  1  paint  store;  2  druggists;  2  jewelers;  2.weekly  paper^; 
7  public  schools;  6  physicians,  and  10  lawyers. 

In  1829;  an  association  was  formed  for  boring  for  water  on 
Factory  Square,  and  a  hole  two  and  a  half  inches  in  diameter 
was  drilled  to  the  depth  of  127  feet,  when  water  was  obtained 
that  rose  to  the  surface,  and  having  been  tubed,  has  since  dis- 
charged (except  in  very  dry  seasons,  when  it  requirts  pumping)  a 
copious  volume  of  water,  slightly  charged  with  suly^hur  and  iron. 
The  cost  of  the  work  was  about  $800.  On  Sewail's  Island,  a 
similar  well  was  bored,  which  at  eighty  feet  discharged  water 
and  inflammable  gas;  but  upon  being  sunk  further,  these  were 
both  lost. 

An  act  was  passed  April  10,  1826,  incorporating  the  Water- 
town  Water  Company,  but  nothing  was  effected. 

An  act  was  again  passed  April  11,  1845,  by  which  L.  Pad- 
dock, Timothy  Dewey,  F.  W.  Hubbard,  N.  M.  Woodruff,  and  0. 
Hungerford,  and  their  associates,  were  incorporated  as  the  Water- 
town  Water  Works  Company,  but  these  did  not  attempt  the 
erection  of  water  works. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1853^  Loveland  Paddock,  George  C. 
Sherman,  Isaac  11.  Fisk,  William  H.  Angel,  and  Howell  Cooper, 
were  incorporated  as  the  Water  Commissioners  of  the  Village 


978 


fVaUrtoum. 


of  Watertowns  who  were  to  be  divided  into  classes,  so  that  one 
should  be  annually  elected,  commencing  en  the  first  Monday  of 
June,  1856.  Before  entering  upon  their  duties,  they  wer.e  to 
give  a  joint  bond  of  $60,000,  and  were  empowered  to  borrow,  on 
the  credit  of  the  village,  a  sum  not  exceeding  $50,000  for  a 
term  of  not  less  than  twenty,  nor  more  than  thirty  years,  paya- 
ble in  five  installments,  with  seven  per  cent  interest,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  watev  works  in  the  village.  The  above 
commissioners,  soon  after  their  appointment,  contracted  with  J. 
G.  Wells  for  a  pump  house  and  reservoir;  the  latter  to  be  150, 
by  250  feet,  at  the  water  line,  and  12  feet  deep;  (o  be  lined  with 
clay,  covered  with  gravel,  and  divided  by  two  walls  six  feet 
apart;  the  vacancy  being  filled  with  layers  of  gravel  and  sand, 
through  which  the  water  is  filtered  in  passing  from  the  receiving 
to  the  distributing  side  of  the  reservoir.  The  pump  house,  lo- 
cated on  Black  River,  near  the  cotton  factory,  in  the  upper  part 
of  Uie  Tillage*  was  to  be  28  by  40  feet,  and  17  feet  high,  entirely 
fire  proof.  The  machinery  was  contracted  for  by  Hoard  & 
Bradford;  and  the  pipes,  from  the  pumps  to  the  reservoir, 
and  the  main  distributing,  pipes,  were  furnished  and  laid  by  J. 
Ball  &  Co.,  of  New  York.  They  are  of  sheet  iron,  lined  and 
coated  with  cement,  and  warranted  to  last  five  years.  For  the 
reservoir,'  the  commissioners  purchased  of  John  C.  Sterling  a 
lot  of  six  acres,  about  a  mile  south>east  of  the  village,  on  the 
brow  of  a  limestone  ridge,  180  feet  above  the  public  square. 
The  site  is  beautiful  and  commanding,  and  when  the  improve- 
ments contemplated  here  are  completed,  the  pl^  'ill  become 
one  of  great  resort  from  the  village.  A  lot,  v  enty  acres, 
has,  with  characteristic  liberality,  been  prescnten  lo  the  village 
by  Mr.  Sterling,  adjoining  the  reservoir,  and  designed  for  a 
public  park.  .It  was  coupled  with  no  condition,  except  that 
it  should,  within  a  given  time,  be  enclosed  and  laid  out  as  a 
public  ground.  This,  the  village  authorities  have  engaged  to 
do;  and  should  the  future  growth  of  the  place  be  such  as  present 
prospects  warrant,  the  premises  will,  ere  long,  become  an  attract- 
ive appendage  to  what  must  soon  become  the  City  of  Watertoum. 

The  extraordinary  prices  to  which  cotton  fabrics  had  arisen, 
led  to  the  formation  of  the  Black  River  Cotton  and  Woolen 
Manufacturing  Company^  which  was  formed  December  28, 
18 13,  with  a  capital  of  %  100,000,  in  1000  shares.  The  following 
persons  signed  the  original  articles;  the  first  four  being  trustees. 
Hart  Massey  was  named  a  trustees,  but  was  not  a  sul^riber  to 
the  articles: 

William  Smith,  Jabez  Foster,  Marinus  W.  Gilbert,  John 
Paddock,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Amos  Benedict,  William  Tanner, 
Jason  Fairbanks,  Perley  Keyes. 


fVatertoion- 


279 


This  company  purchased,  for  #260,  the  right  of  way  for  a  road 
from  the  public  siquare  to  the  present  site  of  Factory  Village; 
and  pf  Ezekiel  Jewett,  for  $10,000,  a  tract  of  400  acres,  \vith 
the  adjacent  water  power;  and  Kere,  during  the  summer  of  1814, 
they  erectet)  a  dam,  and  a  stone  l)ui]ding  (still  standing)  for  a  ' 
cotton  factory,  which  was  stocked  with  machinery,  mostly  made 
in  Hudson,  and  commenced  spinning  in  November.  There  was, 
at  thif  time,  in  the  country,  considerable  prejudice  against  the 
use  of  machinery,  in  place  of  hard  labor;  and  Spafford,  in  the  Ga* 
zetteer  of  New  York,  speaking  of  these,  says:  **  The  automaton 
habits,  and  the  immoral  tendencies  of  these  establishments,  will 
be  better  understood  fifty  years  hence."  This  period  has  not 
quite  elapsed,  but  the  revolution  which  mechanical  improvements 
have  since  wrought  in  the  cheapness,  elegance,  and  comfort  which 
their  products  diffusii  among  the  humbler  classes,  is  a  triumphant 
vindication  of  the  useful  art&  The  cost  of  this  factory  amounted 
to  $72,000.  The  principal  care  of  erecting,  and  setting  it  in 
operation,  was  entrusted  to  Mr.  Smith;  and  in  three  years  the 
company  stopped  work.  It  was  afterwards  hired,  and  run  three 
years  longer,  and  subsequently  sold  for  $7,000;  and  has  since 
passed  through  several  hands. 

Perhaps  no  private  enterprise  ever  gave  a  stronger  impulse  to 
the  growth  of  Watertown,  than  the  erection  of  the  Jefferson 
Cotton  Millsy  and  '^o  single  calamity  was  felt  more  severely  than 
their  loss.  They  were  erected  by  Levi  Beebee,  from  Coopers- 
town,  a  native  of  Canaan,  Connecticut,  who>came  into  the 
county  in  March,  1827,  to  select  a  location  for  a  factory,  and 
had  some  idea  of  locating  at  Brownville,  having  at  that  place 
received  proposals  for  the  sale  of  the  hydraulic  privileges 
on  the  south  side  of  the  river.  While  this  subject  was  pending, 
he  became  acquainted  with  the  rare  natural  facilities  for  manu- 
facturing purposes  which  Cowen's  Island,*  in  the  village  of 
Watertown  afforded,  and  the  limitation  of  his  offers  at  Brown- 
ville having  expired,  he  effected,  through  the  agency  of  William 
Smith,  Esq.,  of  Watertown,  the  purchase  of  the  small  proper- 
ties which  comprised  most  of  the  island,  and  from  Mr.  Le  Ray, 
120  acres  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river  opposite,  for  the  nomi- 
nal sum  of  $1600.  Early  in  the  spring  he  commenced  the 
erection  of  a  large  and  substantial  stone  building,  which  was 
completed  and  the  water  wheels  and  shafting  inserted  under  the 
superintendence  of  Mr.  Smith,  before  December  of  the  same 

*  Since  called  Btthu^i  Island.  It  formed  a  part  of  Jonathan  Cowen'a  pnr- 
ehaie.  and  it  laid  to  have  been  offered  by  him  to  Jonathan  Baker  at  an  early 
period  for  $10.  The  latter  offered  $5,  but,  being  unabl  a  ;u  agr<ie,  the  bargain 
failed.  They  little  dreamed  that  the  little  island  wcjld,  within  lo  short  a 
period,  be  worth  more  than  their  united  fortunes.  [Linki»itlu  Ckaw,  bf 
SolotiMauty.] 


Waterioum. 


▼ear.  The  building  Tvas  250  by  66  feet,  three  stories  high, 
besides  a  high  basement  with  a  projection  before  and  behind, 
and  connected  with  this  were  several  offices  and  store  rooms,  and 
in  the  vicinity  two  large  and  maSsive  stone  buildings  for  boarding 
houses.  Under  the  main  building,  two  wheel  pits,  each  24  by  32 
feet  and  24  feet  deep  were  blasted  in  the  rock,  and  a  canal  10  feet 
wide,  6  deep,  and  260  long,  was  made,  whjch  furnished  water 
from  the  smaller  or  south  branch  of  the  river.  It  was  intended 
for  10,000  spindles,  of  which  3000  were  got  in  operation.  A 
legal  company  was  formed  April  14th,  1829,  under  the  style  of 
the  "Jefferson  Cotton  Mills,"  having  for  its  nominal  trustees,  Levi 
Beebee,  W.  T.  Beebee,  L.  S.  Beebee,  £.  Faunda,  and  Horace 
Hunt,  it  being  generally  understood  that  the  first  named  was  the 
real  efficient  party  in  the  business.  To  secure  the  exemptions 
from  taxati/on  which  the  statutes  afford  in  certain  cases,  Mr. 
Beebee  obtained,  April  7th,  1830,  an  act  of  incorporation,  in 
which  himself  and  sons  Levi  S.  and  Washington  T.  were  con- 
stituted  a  company,  with  a  capital  of  $260,000,  in  shares  of 
$50,  and  under  the  management  of  three  trustees.  On  Sunday, 
July  7th,  1833,  the  premises  were  discovered  on  fire,  and  such 
progress  had  been  made  before  discovered,  that  no  effort  was  at- 
tempted further  than  to  protect  sunbunding  buildings.  Circum- 
stances render  the  conclusion  inevitable,  that  the  fire  was  set  by 
an  incendiary — that  several  gallons  of  varnish  were  used  to 
assist  in  his  designs,  and  that  it  was  done  in  revenge  for  a  real 
or  supposed  injury  from  the  owner.  The  loss  was  estimated  at 
$200,000,  of  which  $26,000  were  insured.  Mr.  Beebee  sub- 
sequently removed  to  Maumee  in  Ohio,  and  with  the  remains  of 
his  property  purchased  a  large  tract  in  that  town,  and  com- 
menced buitding  a  hotel  on  a  magnificent  scale,  but  the  walls 
being  too  slight,  fell  before  finished,  and  thus  completed  his  ruin. 
He  died  at  Cleveland,  September  19th,  1838,  of  a  lingering  ill- 
ness, terminating  in  dropsy  on  the  brain,  at  the  age  of  60.  Few 
men  among  us  have  evinced  more  sagacity,  industry,  and  perse- 
verance, than  Mr.  Beebee.  In  early  life  he  had  been  a  school 
teacher  in  Herkimer  County,  and  afterwards  engaged  as  a  mer- 
chant in  Hartwick,  Otsego  County.  In  1812,  he  became  agent 
for  the  Hope  Factory,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  till  1827, 
when  he  removed  to  Watertown.  As  agent,  his  business  led 
him  on  frequent  journeys  to  the  south  and  west,  and  for  several 
seasons  he  resided  in  New  Orleans. 

The  crumbling  walls  of  the  factory  still  recall  sad  i-ecollec- 
tions  of  cheerful  prospects  blighted,  and  form  a  picture  of  desola- 
tion inconsistent  with  the  busy  and  progressive  spirit,  every 
where  apparent  around  them.  The  site  of  this  factory  is  one  of 
the  most  eligible  in  the  state  for  hydraulic  purposes. 


WeUertotm. 


281 


»1 


Tht  Waiertovm  Cotton  Mills  Company,  with  #100,000  capi- 
tal,  wu  formed  January  iOth,  1834,  with  Isaac  H.  Bronson, 
Jason  Fairbankf!,  SamuuF.  Bates,  John  Sigoumey,  and  Jossph 
Kimball,  trustees. 

This  as^ciation  is  believed  to  have  continued  several  years, 
and  Is  now  replaced  by  the  Waiertovm  Cotton  Company ,  capi- 
tal $12,000,  formed  January  7th,  1846,  with  E.  T.  Throop 
Martin,  Daniel  Lee,  S.  Newton  Dexter,  Hiram  Holcomb,  and 
John  Collins,  trustees.  Their  mill'  at  Factory  Village  in  Water- 
town,  contains  fifty  looms,  with  a  proportionate  amount  of 
machinery,  and  the  premises  occupied  are  the  same  that  were 
erected  for  a  cotton  factory  in  1814. 

On  the  10th  of  February,  18.35,  an  association  with  a  capital 
of  $50,000  was  formed  by  Henry  D.  SewiUl,  George  Goulding, 
John  C.  Lashar,  Simeon  Boynton,  and  John  Goulding,  styled 
the  Hamilton  Woolen  Mills.     On  the  10th  of  March  of  the 
same  year,  new  articles  were  drawn  up  by  the  same  parties, 
under  the  name  of  the  Hamilton  Manufacturing  Company,  and 
with  a  capital  of  $100,000.    During  the  same  year,  a  dam  and 
factory  were  built,  under  the  agency  of  Mr.  Sewall,  a  short 
distance  above  the  village,  which  went  into  opeiation  in  the 
spring  of  1836.    The  factory  was  designed  for  five  sets  of  cards, 
with  the  necessary  machinery.    In  May,  1842,  it  was  bought  by 
the  Black  River  Woolen  Company,  which  had  been  formed 
November  7th,  1836,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  the  parties 
being  Isaac  H.  Bronson,  S.  N.  Dexter,  O.  Hungerford,  John 
Williams,  Hiram  Holcomb,  and  Daniel  Lee.    These  erected  a 
factory  at  Factory  Village,  which,  after  it  had  been  in  successAil 
operation  several  years,  was  burned  December  22d,  1841,  with 
a  loss  of  from  $33,000  to  $36,000,  of  which  about  one-third 
was  insured.    By  this  fire  thirty  hands  wer^  thrown  out  of  em- 
ployment, and  tivo  or  three  narrowly  escaped  from  the  flames. 

This  factory  is  now  run  upon  contract,  by  Lcomis  &  Co.,  the 
company  furnishing  the  mill  and  wool,  and  the  contractors,  the 
labor,  dye  stufls,  oil,  &c.,  used  in  the  manufacture.  It  gives 
employment  to  seventy  hands. 

Mr.  Sewall,  the  founder  of  this  factory,  had  in  early  life  been 
engage(i  in  trade  in  Boston,  and  subsequently,  in  company  with 
Arthur  Tappan,  in  Montreal.  On  the  occurrence  of  the  war,  he 
received  summary  notice  to  leave  the  province,  within  sixty 
days,  and'hii  returned  to  Boston.  He  died  at  Watertown,  June 
Stb,  1846,  aged  59. 

The  Watertown  Woolen  Company  was  formed  with  $100,000 
capital,  February  4th,  1834,  with  I.  H.  Bronson,  John  A. 
Rodgers,  John  Williams,  S.  Newton  Dexter,  and  Hiram  Hol- 
comb, trustees.     A  company  styled  the   Watertown  Woolen 


2S2 


frat^rtowH' 


Manufacturing  Company,  was  formed  December  24tb,  1836, 
with  J.  Williams,  I.  H.  Bronson^  H.  Holcomb,  D.Lee,  and  Silas 
Clark,  trustees,  and  a  capital  of  1125,000.  We  have  not  been 
able  to  learn  what  was  effected  by  these,  neither  of  Y'hich  now 
exist. 

The  Williams  Woolen  Company  was  formed  November  7tb, 
1836,  with  a  capital  of  $10,000,  and  was  for  some  time  eii- 

f;aged  in  manufacturing  negro  cloths,  and  other  coarse  goods. 
.  H  Bronson,  S.  N.  Dexter,  J.  Williams,  H.  Holcomb,  and 
Charles  Weber,  were  the  parties  concerned  at  the  time  of  oi^an* 
ization.  The  premises  have  been  since  changed  to  a  tannery  for 
sheep  skins.  The  latter  business  has  for  several  years  been 
conducted  by  two  or  three  establishments  at  Factory  Village,  to 
9  considerable  extent. 

The  first  tannery  on  an  extensive  scale,  was  erected  here  by 
Jason  Fairbanks,  in  1823,  which,  having  been  burnt,  was  re- 
built in  1833. 

In  1808,  a  raper  mill  was  built  above  Cowen's  Mill  by  Our- 
don  Caswell  from  Oneida  County,  and  in  1816  sold  to  Holbrook 
and  Fessenden,  of  Brattleboro.  Other  paper  mills  were  built 
above,  and  in  1824,  the  firm  of  Knowlton  &  Rice  commenced 
this  business,  which  they  have  since  continued.  In  1832  they 
introduced  the  first  machinery  for  making  paper  in  the  county, 
and  have  made  from  $30,000  to  $35,000  worth  of  paper  annu- 
ally.   Their  works  have  been  repeatedly  burneii. 

T^o  lanufacture  of  iron  into  castings  and  machinery  has  for 
raai  xn  been  carried  on  to  a  considerable  extent  in  Water- 
l.  cbe  first  machine  shop  being  built  by  N.  Wiley  about  1820, 
and  the  first  foundry  by  R.  Bingham. 

In  1823,  G.  Goulding,  and  in  1825,  William  Smith  com- 
menced the  manufacture,  and  have  since  carried  it  on.  The 
former  of  these  has  been  engaged  on  Norton's  Island  in  making 
'  mill  gearings,  factory  machinery,  and  to  a  less  extent  steam 
engines,  and  is  now  under  the  firm  of  Goulding,  Bagley  & 
Sewall,  to  a  considerable  extent  employed  in  building  machinery 
and  tools  for  working  iron.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  neavily  en- 
gaged in  making  mill  gearings  and  castings,  stoves,  hollow 
ware,  and  agricultural  implements.  His  foundry  is  on  Beebee's 
Island.  In  1841,  the  firm  of  Cooper  &  Woodruff  built,  in 
Pamelia,  opposite  the  site  of  Beebee's  factory,  a  foundry  and 
machine  shop,  and  had,  afiteV  being  employed  upon  factory 
machinery,  mill  irons,  steam  engines,  &c.,  become  largely  en- 
gaged in  the  building  of  rail  road  cars.  These  premises  were 
burned  July  22d,  1853,  occasioning  a  serious  loss,  not  only  to  the 
enterprising  proprietor,  but  to  the  public  at  large.  The  machine 
shop  was  130  by  30  feet,  two  stories  high  on  the  ground,  and 


Watertown 


three  on  the  river.  The  furnace  40  by  80,  the  pattern  and  store 
room  40  by  50,  and  two  stories  high.  They  were  situated  di- 
rectly opposite  the  cascade  on  the  river.  The  firm  of  Hoard 
&  Bradford  have  had,  for  two  or  three  Years,  near  the  premises  of 
the  latter,  a  machine  shop,  principally  for  the  manufacture  of 
portable  steam  engines,  for  which  their  works  have  become  quite 
celebrated. 

Our  space  will  not  admit  of  the  details  of  the  different 
branches  of  industry  at  this  place.  Black  River,  within  the 
distance  of  a  mile,  passes  over  four  dams,  at  each  of  which  are 
numerous  establishments,  but  at  none  of  them  is  the  full  amount 
of  water  power  used.  The  facility  with  which  dams  can  be 
constructed,  and  the  security  that  can  be  given  to  buildings 
erected  upon  them,  from  the  bed  of  the  river  being  solid  rock, 
gives  additional  value  to  these  privileges.  The  four  dams  were 
built  in  1803,  1805,  1814,  and  1835,  and  none  of  them  have 
been  impaired  by  the  spring  floods. 

The  river  is  crossed  by  three  bridges,  of  which  the  lower  one 
was  first  erected.  Soon  after,the  beginning  at  Factory  Village, 
one  was  erected  there;  and  one  over  the  cascade,  near  the  ruins 
of  Beebee's  Factory,  in  the  summer  of  1836.  This  consisted  of  a 
single  arch  of  timbers,  and  was  built  by  Hiram  Merrill,  for 
the  two  towns  it  connects,  at  a  cost  of  $764.  In  the  fall  of 
1853,  the  present  elegant  bridge  was  erected,  the  old  one  having 
decayed  so  as  to  render  its  use  unsafe. 

The  business  of  the  place  early  centered  around  the  Public 
Square,  especially  at  its  west  end,  and  on  Court  and  Washington 
streets;  and  in  1815, 
John  Paddock  erected 
a  three  story  block, 
forming  a  part  of  the 
buildings  shown  in  the 
annexed  cut,  which 
was  the  first  edifice 
of  its  size  and  class 
in  town.  The  corner 
of  Washington  and 
Arsenal  streets  be- 
came, at  an  early  day, 
the  site  of  a  two  story 
wooden  tavern,  and 
was  occupied  until 
1827,  when  an  associ- 
ation of  citizens  de- 
siring to  have  a  hotel 
those  of  the  first  class  in 
19 


Ameriettn  Hold  and  PaddxtdCa  Block,  hund 
May  13, 1849. 

in  the  place  that  should  compare  with 
cities,  was  formed  under  the  name  of 


284 


fVatertown. 


the  WtAvrtown  Hotel  Company^  having  a  capital  of  #20,000. 
In  the  same  year  they  erected  the  American  Hotel,  represented 
in  the  engraving,  and  this  establishment  continued  to  be  owned 
by  the  company  until  burned  in  1849,  when  the  site  was  sold 
for  $10,000,  and  the  present  building  of  the  same  name  was 
erected  on  its  site  by  individual  enterprise. 

Watertown  has  been  repeatedly  devastated  by  fires,  some  of 
which  produced  a  decided  check  to  its  prosperity,  while  others 
acted  beneficially,  by  removing  rubbish  that  would,  otherwise, 
have  disfigured  the  village  for  time  indefinite,  and  from  which 
the  place  recovered  with  an  elastic  energy,  characteristic  of  a 
progressive  age  and  people. 

On  the  7th  of  February,  1833,  a  fire  occurred,  which  burned 
the  extensive  tannery  and  oil  mill  of  Mr.  J.  Fairbanks;  the  pa- 
per mill  and  printing  office  of  Knowlton  &  Rice,  and  a  morocco 
factory  and  dwelling  of  Kitts  &,  Carpenter;   loss  about  $30,000. 

The  destruction  of  Beebee's  factory,  July  7,  1833,  has  been 
above  noticed. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1841,  the  Black  River  Woolen  Mills 
in  Factory  Village  were  burned;  also  elsewhere  mentioned. 

On  the  21st  of  March,  1848,  at  3  o'clock  a.  m.,  a  fire  occurred 
in  an  old  stone  shop,  in  the  rear  of  the  Union  Mills,  and  a  little 
above,  which  spread  rapidly  to  the  buildings  on  the  island  oppo- 
site, and  to  others  above,  which,  with  the  bridge,  were  rapidly 
consumed;  and  two  men,  named  Leonard  Wright,  and  Levi 
Palmer,  perished  in  the  flames,  having  entered  a  woolen  mill 
for  the  purpose  of  rescuing  property.  Among  the  buildings 
burned,  were  the  paper  mill  of  Knowlton  &  Rice,  the  satinet 
factory  of  Mr.  Patridce,  occupied  by  W.  Conkey,  a  row  of  me- 
chanics' shops  on  the  island,  &c.  This  fire  threw  many  laborers 
and  mechanics  out  of  employment,  and  was  seriously  felt  by  the 
public.  Contributions  for  the  sufferers  were  raised  in  the  village, 
and  nearly  $1,100  were  distributed  among  them. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  May  13,  1849,  a  fire  occurred  in 
the  rear  of  the  American  Hotel,  corner  of  Arsenal  and  Washington 
streets,  which  swept  o\'er  a  considerable  portion  of  the  business 
part  of  the  village,  and  consumed  an  immense  amount  of  pro- 
perty. The  American  Hotel,  and  out  buildings.  Paddock's  Block, 
Woodruff's  Iron  Block,  and  all  the  buildings  on  both  sides  of 
Court  Street,  as  far  down  as  the  clerk's  office,  were  burned.  The 
Episcopal  Church,  three  printing  offices,  about  thirty  extensive 
stores,  the  post  office,  Black  River  Bank,  Wooster  Sherman's 
Bank,  Henry  Keep's  Bank,  town  clerk's  office.  Young  Men's 
Association,  surrogate's  office,  and  many  dwelling  houses,  were 
in  the  burnt  district.  This  was  by  far  the  most  disastrous  fire 
that  has  occurred  in  the  county,  and  nothing  more  fully  proves 


froiertownt 


;s,  were 


the  enterprise  of  the  place  than  the  quickness  with  which  it  re- 
covered from  the  disaster.  While  the  flames  were  still  raging, 
preparations  for  rebuilding  were  made,  by  purchasing  mate- 
rials, and  laborers  were  seen  pulling  the  bricks,  still  hot,  from  the 
smouldering  ruins,  and  laying  the  foundations  of  new  and  larger 
buildings  on  the  site  of  the  former.  The  sites  of  the  burnt  build- 
ings were,  in  many  instances,  sold  Jor  a  greater  sum  than 
the  satnef  with  the  buildings  on  them,  toould  have  previously 
brought. 

During  the  ensuing  summer  the  village  exhibited  an  industry, 
among  masons  and  carpenters,  which  had  never  been  equaled, 
and  the  external  appearance  of  the  village  has  been  decidedly 
improved. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  1850,  a  fire  occurred  on  Sterling 
street,  from  which  the  burning  shingles  were  wafted  to  *'  e  steeple 
of  the  Universalist  Church,  and  when  first  noticed,  had  kindled 
a  flame  not  larger  than  that  of  a  candle;  but  before  the  place 
could  be  reached,  it  had  enveloped  the  spire  in  flames,  beyond 
hope  of  arresting  it,  and  the  building  was  consumed.  With  the 
utmost  exertions  of  the  firemen  and  citizens  of  the  village,  the 
fire  was  prevented  from  extending  further. 

On  the  27th  of  January,  1851,  Perkins'  Hotel,  on  the  site  of 
the  Merchants'  Exchange,  was  burned,  with  a  large  block  on 
Washington  street,  adjacent.  The  loss  was  estimated  at  about 
125,000. 

On  the  16th  of  October,  1852,  a  fire  occurred  on  the  opposite, 
or  west  side  of  Washington  street,  which  consumed  all  the  build- 
ings south  of  Paddock's  filock,  viz:  Hungerford's  Block,  Citizen's 
Bank,  and  Sherman's  Block.  The  loss  was  estimated  at  about 
$14,()00,  of  which  the  greater  part  was  insured. 

Mechanics'  Row,  below  the  Union  Mills,  was  burned  Novem- 
ber 5,  1852;  loss  about  1*20,000,  of  which,  between  $6,000  and 
$7,0()0  were  insured.  Fr(  m  Hftyto  sixty  mechanics  were  thrown 
out  of  employment;  and  one  young  man,  Hudson  Haddock,  aged 
nineteen,  perished  in  the  flames  while  endeavoring  to  rescue  pro- 
perty. 

On  the  evening  of  July  23,  1853,  a  fire  broke  out  in  the 
extensive  foundry,  car  factory  and  machine  shop  of  Horace  W. 
Woodruff,  Esq.,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  opposite  Beebee's 
Island,  which,  with  all  its  contents  was  rapidly  consumed.  About 
seventy  men  were  thrown  out  of  employment  by  this  calamity, 
which  was  felt  by  great  numbers,  indirectly  concerned  in  the 
works,  and  by  the  public  generally. 

On  the  night  of  December  1 1,  1853,  a  fire  consumed  the  build- 
ing erected  for  a  tannery,  but  used  as  a  sash  and  butter  tub  fac- 
tory, on  the  south  side  of  Beebee's  Island,  adjoining  the  bridge, 
and  owned  by  Messrs.  Farnham  &  Button. 


386 


fFatertntnt. 


Soon 
spacious 
square, 
n   range 
Washin( 
tectural 
the  Pad( 
containii 
point  of 
ton  to  A 
side,  bot 
and  offic 
all  seasoi 
place  of 


I.-  '.V  ;•»? 


The  en| 
E.  Hunge 
man.  Th 
but  one,  v 

The  pli 
were  draw 
village,  b 
streets  of 
these  edifi 
for  their  o 


fVaterioum. 


287 


Soon  af\er  the  fire  of  1849,  Norris  M.  Woodruff  erected  the 
spacious  and  elegant  hotel,  that  adorns  the  north  side  of  the 
square,  and  there  arose,  simultaneous,  from  the  nshes  of  the  former, 
n  range  of  buildings,  extending  down  Court  Street,  and  on 
Washington  Street,  fronting  upon  the  public  mall,  that  for  archi- 
tectural oeauty  have  few  superiors.  Prominent  among  these  are 
the  Paddock  Buildings,  including  the  Arcade,  which,  from  its 
containing  the  post  office,  telegraph  office,  &c.,  has  become  a 
point  of  much  importance.  This  building  extends  from  Washing- 
ton to  Arcade  Street,  is  roofed  with  glass,  and  contains,  on  each 
side,  both  oh  the  ground  floor  and  a  gallery,  a  range  of  stores 
and  offices,  the  whole  of  which  are  airy  and  well  lighted.  At 
all  seasons  this  affords  a  dry  and  comfortable  promenade,  and  is  a 
place  of  much  resort. 


Vitw  on  Wa$hington  Strut  and  the  Public  Square. 

The  engraving  represents  the  blocks  owned  by  L.  Paddock,  R. 
E.  Hungerford,  O.  C.  Utley,  William  H.  Angel,  and  G.  C.  Sher- 
man. The  new  Masonic  Hall  is  represented  in  the  last  building 
but  one,  with  arched  windows. 

The  plans  of  these  buildings,  represented  in  the  engraving, 
were  drawn  by  Mr.  Otis  L.  Wheelock,  an  artist  resident  in  the 
village,  by  whom  most  of  the  new  buildings,  that  adorn  the 
streets  of  Watertown,  were  planned.  The  general  features  of 
these  edifices  are  shown  by  the  annexed  ergravings,  and  have, 
for  their  object,  to  unite  an  elegant  exterior,  with  a  commodious 


288  W^itertoum. 

internal  arrangement,  and  where  placed  in  continuous  blocks, 


Crowntr'M  Hotel,  Court  Street,  Watertoum. 

as  on  the  Public  Square  and  Court  Street,  the  effect  produced  is 
very  fine. 


Merchant*^  Exchange,   Watertouin. 


friatwiowiu 


The  Merchant'^  Exchange,  erected  during  the  summer  of 
1853,  bv  O.  and  W.  N.  WMdruff,  will  compare,  in  architectural 
taste  and  splendor,  with  any  edifice  of  the  class  in  the  state.  It 
is  situated  on  the  corner  of  Washington  Street  and  the  Public 
Square,  havine  a  front  of  117|  feet  on  the  former,  and  86  feet  on 
tiie  latter,  with  a  height  of  60  feet.  The  first  story  is  devoted  to 
stores,  the  second  to  oflBces,  and  the  third  to  a  saloon,  which,  for 
size,  convenience  of  arrangement,  and  beauty  of  decorations,  is 
unsurpassed  by  any,  except  in  our  largest  cities.  This  room  is 
65  by  85,  and  30  feet  high,  adapt^  in  its  arrangements  for 
concerts,  theatrical  exhibitions,  balls,  and  public  meetinffs;  and 
its  walls  and  ceiling  are  adorned  by  elegant  fresco  paintings, 
executed  with  much  taste  and  abilitv,  by  £.  H.  Whitaker,  of 
Boston.  This  building  was  erected  after  the  plans  of  Mr. 
Wheelock,  at  a  cost  of  about  f  26,000. 

The  taste  which  has  been  exhibited  within  two  or  three  years, 
in  the  erection  of  private  dwellings,  can  not  fail  of  being  noticed 
and    admired    by   strangers;   and    this,    if    continuM,    will : 


Raidenct  of  O.  V.  Brainard,  Wa$hington  Strttt. 


soon  render  the  village  as  conspicuous  among  the  inland  towns 
of  the.state,  for  the  classic  elegance  of  its  private  as  well  as  its 
public  buildings,  as  it  already  has  become  for  the  immensity  <^ 
its  water  power,  and  the  extraordinary  combination  of  facilities 
for  manufacturing  purposes  which  it  possesses. 
..  The  enterprise  which  has  led  to  the  erection  of  water  works, 
during  the  past  season,  has  been  already  noticed.  On  the  23d  of 
November,  1853,  the  pumps  were  set  in  operation,  and,  after 
working  about  thirty  tuinutes,  the  water  made  its  appearaoCe 


in 


.a*MMi*««*«*' 


m 


fVateriovon. 


the  reservoir,  at  an  eleyation  of  nearly  two  hundred  feet,  and 
distance  of  a  mile  from  the  village.  An  experiment  made  witb 
a  hydrant,  with  an  inch  pipe,  showed  that  water  could  be  thrown 
ovei^  the  liberty  pole  on  Factory  Square,  about  120  feet  high,  and 
the  question  appears  to  be  settled  beyond  doubt  that  these  valu- 
able works  will  answer  the  end  for  which  they  were  erected,  and 
that  the  village  will  henceforth  possess  the  means  of  controlling 
fires,  which  have  so  often  in  times  past  laid  waste  the  most  flou* 
rishing  portions  of  the  place. 

A  part  of  this  improvement  is  to  consist  of  a  fountain,  in  thd 
centre  of  the  public  square,  on  each  side  of  which  an  oval  park 
is  to  be  laid  out,  and  enclosed  and  planted  with  trees.  The  basin 
of  the  fountain  is  forty  feet  in  diameter,  and  made  of  cut  stone, 
and  the  jets  will  be  supplied  from  a  reservoir,  one  hundred  and 
eishty  feet  above  this  level. 

^arly  in  1862,  measures  were  tak'en  for  supplying  the  village 
With  gas  light.  Messrs.  Walworth,  Nason  and  Guild,  had,  by  a 
village  ordinance  passed  September  9,  1851,  secured  the  exclu- 
sive privilege  of  supplying  the  village  with  rosin  gas  for  ten 
years,  and  on  the  28th  of  Feb.,  1852,  an  association,  styled 
the  Watertown  Gas  Light  Company,  was  organized,  with  a  ca- 
pital of  $20,000.  In  the  same  year  the  principal  buildings  in  the 
Dusiness  portion  of  the  village  were  supplied,  and  during  the 
summer  of  1853,  pipes  were  laid  through  many  of  the  principal 
streets  and  to  private  houses.  A  proportionate  addition  was 
made  to  the  manufactory,  and  these  improvements  will  be  ex- 
tended as  the  wants  of  the  public  demand. 

Several  social  libraries  have  been  formed  in  this  town,  the  first 
of  which  was  the  Watertown  Social  lAbrary,  May  14,  1805; 
Wm.  Huntington,  Corlis  Hinds,  Hart  Massey,  Henry  Jewett,  and 
Daniel  Brainard,  trustees.  The  Farmer's  InstructoTf  was  a  li- 
brary company,  formed  June  8, 1813,  with  Wm.  Parkinson,  Davis 
Doty,  Cyrenus  Woodworth,  Cyrus  Butterfield,  Simeon  Woodruff, 
and  Ira  Delano,  trustees.  It  was  located  near  the  line  of  Rut- 
land. The  Watertovm  Franklin  Library,  formed  Feb.  12,  1829, 
with  Chas.  E.  Clarke,  Ralph  Clapp,  John  Sigourney,  Daniel 
Lee,  Isaac  H.  Bronson,  Clarke  Rice,  Otis  Colwell,  Henry  L. 
Harvey,  Baker  Massey,  Alvin  Hunt,  Ira  Brewster,  and  Wm. 
Smith,  trustees,  had  formed  a  collection  of  books,  that  were  sold 
in  February,  1834,  when  the  society  disbanded. 

The  Young  Men's  Association,  was  formed  by  the  appointment 
of  officers,  Dec.  3,  1840,  and  the  adoption  of  a  constitution, 
which  provided  for  the  annual  election  of  a  president,  two  vice 
presidents,  a  recording  and  a  corresponding  secretary,  a  treasurer, 
and  eleven  managers,  who  were  to  constitute  together,  an  execut- 
ive cornmitteej  appoint  a  librarian, 


poi 
ins 


and  have  the  generaj  ciiarge 


r 


Watertoum. 


391 


and  supervision  of  the  interests  of  the  association.  Citizens  of 
Watertown,  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  forty,  mieht  become 
members,  by  paying  $1  admission  fee,  and  $2  annually. 

On  the  17tn  of  April,  1841,  an  act  of  incorporation  was  passed, 
by  which  D.  D.  Otis,  O.  V.  Brainard,  S.  S.  Cady,  Abraham  Rea- 
mer, J.  M.  Clark,  George  R.  Fairbanks,  and  Samuel  Fairbanks, 
were  constituted  a  body  corporate,  under  the  name  of  The  Young 
Men's  Associaton,  for  Mutual  Improvement,  in  the  Village  of 
Watertown,  with  the  usual  liabilities  and  immunities,  and 
power  to  hold  real  and  personal  estate,  to  an  amount  not  exceed- 
ing $10,000. 

The  introductory  address  was  delivered  by  the  Hon.  Joseph 
Mullin,  Dec.  17,  1800,  and  weekly  lectures  and  debates  were 
continued  during  the  winter  seasons.  A  library  with  about  four 
hundred  volumes,  was  opened,  April  3,  1841,  and  had  increased 
Xo  nearly  two  thousand  volumes,  when  the  premises  occupied  by 
the  association,  were  destroyed  in  the  great  fire  of  May  13, 1849, 
and  no  further  efforts  were  made  to  revive  it 

Hie  first  officers  elected,  were  D.  D.  Otis,  president;  Orville 
V.  Brainard,^rjf  vice  president;  IthamerB.  Crawe,  seamd  vice 
president;  Joseph  Mullin,  corresponding  secretary;  W.  Genet, 
treasurer;  Geo.  W.  Hungerford,  S.  Fairbanks,  James  F.  Siarbuck, 
A.  M.  Corss,  R.  Barnes,  J.  H.  Dutton,  J.  C.  Patridge,  F.  W. 
Hubbard,  K.  Hannahs,  M.  Beebee,  and  T.  H.  Camp,  managers. 

Religious  Societies. — Meetings  for  religious  worship  were 
held  by  missionaries  from  New  England,  almost  as  soon  as  the 
town  began  to  settle;  and  in  1802,  there  were  three  worshipping 
assemblies  in  this  town  and  Rutland.  On  the  3d  of  June,  1803, 
a  Congregational  Church  was  formed  by  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  La- 
zelle,  at  the  barn  of  Caleb  Burnham,  at  Burrville,  consisting  at 
first  of  fifteen  members.  Gershom  Tuttle  and  William  Fellows 
were  appointed  first  deacons;  and  in  the  same  summer  stated 
meetings  were  held  at  the  house  of  John  Blevin.  Missionaries 
sent  out  from  the  New  Hampshire  and  Connecticut  Missionary 
Societies,  occasionally  supplied  the  church  with  preaching; 
among  whom  were  the  Rev.  B.  Tyler,  N.  Dutton,  and  others. 
On  the  25th  of  October,  1815,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Banks  was  or- 
dained and  installed  the  pastor  of  this  church,  and  Rutland,  by 
an  ecclesiastical  council  convened  for  the  purpose;  the  sermon 
being  preached  by  the  Rev.  Isaac  Clinton,  of  Lowville,  and  the 
charges  given  by  the  Rev.  Enos  Bliss. 

In  January,  1821,  the  form  of  government  was  changed  to 
Presbyterian;  the  first  elders  being  Wm.  Brown,  James  Stone,  T. 
Redfield,  J.  Van  Nest,  John  Sawyer,  Hart  Massey,  Wm.  Hunting- 
ton, Asaph  Horton,  and  Amasa  Herrick.  The  first  deacons  were 
T.  Redfield,  and  Hart  Massey. 


392 


Watertoum. 


Mr.  Banks  remained  the  pastor  of  this  church  until  February 
28, 1821,  when  he  left  for  Potsdam,  where  he  subsequently  resi- 
ded as  a  pastor,  and  the  principal  of  St.  Lawrence  Academy,  until 
his  death  in  1827.  On  the  12th  of  April,  1821,  the  Rev.  George 
S.  Boardman  was  employed;  and  July  26,  of  the  same  year,  fie 
was  installed  over  this  church,  where  he  remained  until  March 
8,  1837,  when  he  left,  and  was  succeeded.  May  20, 1837,  by  the 
Rev.  Isaac  Brayton  who  was  ordained  and  installed,  August  31st, 
of  the  same  year,  and  has  since  remained  the  pastor. 

Three  churches  have  sprung  from  this;  a  Congregational  one 
in  1830,  since  become  extinct.  The  second  Presbyterian  Church 
of  Watertown  village,  1831,  and  a  Congregational  Church  at 
Burrville,  in  1836. 

The  first  religious  corporation,  under  the  general  statute,  was 
formed  February  11,  1811,  under  the  name  of  the  Religious 
Society  of  Watertown,  of  which  the  trustees  of  first  elected 
were  Tilley  Richardson,*  John  S|ikes,  Thos.  Sawyer,  Hart  Massey, 
Amos  Benedict,  Aaron  Brown,  and  Wm.  Fellows,  trustees;  and  a 
vote  was  taken  to  erect  a  meeting  house  as  soon  as  practicable, 
but  the  war  which  followed  prevented.  The  Watertown  Ecclesi- 
astical Society  was  fotmed  May  25, 18 14,  w ilh  Jabez  Foster,  Hart 
Massey,  and  Orren  Stone,  trustees,  which,  however,  effected  no- 
thing ;  and  June  27, 18 1 1,  the  Watertown  and  Rutland  Union  So- 
ciety had  been  formed,  which  also  failed  to  erect  a  church.  Tiie 
brick  academy  erected  in  18 1 1,  on  th^  site  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  was,  with  the  Court  House,  used  for  several  years  for 
meetings,  until  1820,  when  a  stone  edifice,  occupying  the  site  of 
the  present  Presbyterian  Church,  on  Washington  Street,  was 
erected,  and  on  the  1st  of  January  1821,  it  v  as  dedicated  by  the 
pastor,  the  sermon  being  preached  from  Isaiah  Ixiv,  11. 

Early  in  1850,  it  was  decided  to  rebuild  the  stone  church,  and 
in  May  it  was  demolished,  and  the  present  elegant  brick  church 
erected  on  its  site.  It  is  sixty-three  by  one  hundred  feet,  and 
can  seat  one  thousand  persons.  It  is  built  after  the  plans  and 
designs  of  Mr.  Otis  L.  Wheelock  to  whom  the  village  is  indebted 
for  the  plans  of  most  of  the  netv  public  buildings.  The  church 
was  dedicated  April  10,  1851,  the  sermon  being  preached  by  the 
pastor,  from  Psalms  cxx,  1.  The  cost  of  the  house  was  about 
$20,000.    The  church  now  numbers  about  338  communicants. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  was  formed  July  20,  1831, 
by  the  Rev.  Abel  L.  Crandall,  and  Geo.  S.  Boardman,  a  committee, 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  by  the  Watertown  Presbytery.  It 
consisted  at  first  of  thirty-one  members,  dismissed  for  that  pur- 
pose from  the  First  Church,  and  four  from  the  Congregational 

*  Mr.  Richardson  died  January  14,  1S52,  aged  93  ypars.    He  was  a  sol- 
dier of  the  revolution,  and  emigrated  from  New  Hampshire,  in  1802. 


Watertown. 


893 


it  pur- 
itional 

asol- 


'^^■^■i    }  i''.'.'''-^''^}-,h''^r 


^■!i'.;-.;»'!->\''^.i  ■  l/i-.<^'!i:i^'-:- 


First  PrssbyUrian  Church,  Watertown, 


SAM 


Watertaun. 


Church ;  Lewis  R.  Sandiforth,  was  chosen  Ruling  Elder.  Pastors, 
James  R.  Boyd,  installed  Sept.  7,  1832;  Marcus  Smith,  Feb.  10, 
1836;  Wm.  £.  Knox,  Feb.  14,  1844;  and  Peter  Snyder,  June  20, 
1848.  Their  church,  at  the  corner  of  Factory  and  Mechanic 
Streets,  was  built  in  1831,  at  a  cost  of  about  $5,600,  of  which 
Mr.  Beebee,  proprietor  of  the  Jefferson  Cotton  Mills,  centributed 
about  $3,000.  This  church  has  received  nearly  700  members; 
present  number  (June  1853)  187.  About  100  members  fell  off 
vrithin  two  yearn,  by  removals  and  other  causes,  resulting  from 
the  burning  of  the  cotton  mills,  in  1833.  The  society,  connected 
with  this  church,  was  formed  Oct.  10,  1831,  with  Josiah  W. 
Baker,  Henry  Kitts,  and  Geo.  W.  Knowlton,  trustees. 

Trinity  Church.  The  first  Episcopal  service  was  performed 
in  the  town  of  Watertown,  early  in  1812,  at  the  old  school  house, 
on  the  site  of  the  present  Universalist  Church,  by  the  Rev.  Da- 
niel Nash,  of  Otsego  County.  In  1826,  it  was  asain  performed 
by  the  late  Bishop  Hobart,  in  the  Presbyterian  Churco,  and  the 
same  year  the  Rev.  William  Lynn  Keese,  stationed  at  Brown- 
ville,  preached  occasionally,  here  and  at  Sackets  Harbor.  On 
the  31st  of  May,  1828,  a  legal  organization  was  effected,  under 
the  Rev.  Joshua  M.  Rogers,  of  Turin,  of  which  Ira  Wright,  and 
Wm.  D.  Ford,  were  church  toardens,  and  Wm.  Cowen,  Samuel 
McClure,  Philo  S.  Johnson,  Loveland  Paddock,  Forrester  Dexter, 
Henry  L.  Harvey,  Henry  Bronson,  Wm.  McCullock,  and  Walter 
Woodward,  were  vestrymen.  Mr.  Rogers  continued  to  attend 
every  fourth  Sunday  for  some  time.  In  1829,  they  engaged  the 
pastoral  labors  of  the  Rev.  Hiram  Adams,  then  a  missionary  of 
the  united  parishes  of  Watertown  and  Sackets  Harbor,  at  which 
places  he  preached  on  alternate  sabbaths.  Services  were  at  first 
held  at  the  Court  House.  In  1S29,  a  Sunday  school  was  opened, 
having  at  first  sixteen  scholars,  and  two  teachers,  and  for  four 
years,  not  more  than  twenty-five  scholars  were  assembled. 

In  1830,  a  subscription  was  circulated  to  obtain  the  means  to 
erect  a  church,  and  a  petition  for  aid  was  forwarded  to  Trinity 
Church,  New  York;  but  these  efforts  failed,  and  the  parish  was 
several  months  without  religious  services,  except^  occasionally, 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gear,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Keese,  at  Brown- 
viUe.  In  the  fall  of  1831,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Salmon  was  hired  six 
months,  but  remained  a  year,  and  in  February,  1832,  the  efforts 
to  raise  means  for  building  a  church,  were  resumed  with  vigor. 
A  lot  was  secured,  but  the  sum  was  still  short  of  that  necessary, 
-when  Henry  D.  Sewall,  engaged  to  build  the  house  on  the  sub- 
scription, and  take  the  sum  to  be  received  from  the  sale  of  pews 
to  pay  the  balance.  A  wooden  church  was  accordingly  com- 
menced in  the  spring  of  1832,  and  finished  externally  the  same 
year.    In  June  1833,  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  gave  1 1,000, 


fVatertmDn* 


S96 


to  the  society,  on  condition  that  the  edifice  should  be  of  atone, 
nnd,  when  done,  free  from  debt.  As  the  building  was  already 
up,  the  condition,  prescribing  the  material,  was  modified.    In 

1833,  Samuel  Brown,  of  Brownville,  raised  $600,  for  this  church, 
in  New  York,  and  O.  C.  Sherman  contributed  liberally  towards 
its  completion,  by  giving  the  building  of  a  church  in  Ellisburgh, 
of  which  he  had  acquired  the  title,  on  condition  that  the  church 
Hhould  be  furnished  with  an  organ  and  a  bell;  both  of  which  were 
procured  in  August,  of  the  same  year.  The  church  being  com- 
pleted, was  consecrated  on  the  18th  of  September,  1833. 

The  frame  of  vhis  building  was  40  by  60  feet,  with  a  square 
tower  of  16  feet  base,  projecting  8  feet  from  the  front,  with  a 
belfry  formed  by  two  parallelograms,  crowning  each  other,  with 
recessed  corners,  two  feet  square,  above  which  arose  an  octa- 
gonal tinned  spire,tapering  to  a  point  at  100  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  church  had  two  windows  in  the  front,  and  four  on  each  side, 
with  semicircular  tops.  The  external  design  and  details  of  the 
tower  were  modelled  from  a  church  in  Cambridge;,  Mass.    It. 

1834,  Mr.  Gear,  of  Brownville,  was  employed  a  part  of  the  time, 
und  in  1835,  the  Rev.  —  Hickox,  of  Rochester,  was  called,  and 
the  church  prospered  much  under  his  labors.  From  May,  1837, 
till  April,  1839,  the  Rev.  Charles  Ackley  was  employed,  and  in 
September,  of  the  latter  year,  the  Rev.  John  F.  Fish  wasengage<l 
and  remained  until  Sept.  22,  1844.  During  his  ministry,  the 
numbers  of  the  church  increased  from  S6  to  1.34;  there  were  94 
confirmations,  127  baptisms,  142  marriages,  and  55  burials. 

In  January,  1845,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  M.  Carmichael  was  em- 
ployed and  remained  about  a  year,  when  he  was  succeeded  in 
August  1846,  by  the  Rev  Levi  W.  Norton,  who  continued  the 
rector  till  the  spring  of  1853.  On  the  17th  of  July,  1853,  the 
Rev.  Geo.  Morgan  Hill  was  employed,  and  the  parish  is  now  in 
a  very  flourishing  state,  exhibiting  in  October,  1853,  the  follow- 
ing statistics  : — 
Families,  comprising  the  congregation,  ;  ^  "j,  179 
Present  number  of  communicants,  .        .        .     175 

There  is  a  flourishing  Sunday  School  of  20  teachers  and  80 
pupils. 

The  church  originally  erected  was  burned  in  the  memorable 
fire  nf  May  13,  1849,  and  on  the  14th  May  1850,  the  corner 
stone  of  the  present  edifice  was  laid,  with  religious  services,  by 
the  Episcopal  clergy  of  the  county.  The  building  is  after  the 
plans  of  Mr.  R.  Upjohn,  of  New  York,  and  is  purely  gothic.  The 
dimensions  of  the  nave  are  50  by  100  feet;  those  of  the  church, 
25,  by  21  feet.  The  tower  which  rises  from  an  angle  of  the 
building,  is  160  feet  high,  and  the  whole  cost  from  $12,000  to 
$]600(),  and  can  accommo<l«ite  1,00G  worshipers,  it  was  conse- 
eruted  by  Bishop  De  Lancy,  January  33,  1851. 


296 


tVaterioum 


if       .• . ^  -jiiSrfrA^ 


TrinUy  Church,  Wattrtoum. 

The  building  committee  were  L.  Paddock,  R.  G.  Vaughan,  B. 
Bagley,  Joel  Blood,  and  Hiram  Merrill. 

The  building  stands  on  the  north  side  of  Court-street,  near  the 
county  clerk's  office.  The  society  received  towards  its  erection, 
$600  from  Trinity  Church,  New  York.  We  are  indebted  for  most 
of  the  facts  relating  to  the  early  organization  of  this  church,  to 
an  Easter  memorial,  preached  by  the  Rev.  J.  F.  Fish,  March  27, 
1842,  and  published  soon  after  in  the  Jeffersoniam 

The  Universalist  Society  was  formed  at  the  Court  House, 
April  26,  1820,  by  a  meeting  assembled  on  the  call  of  twelve 
citizens.  ,Levi  Butterfield,  Chauncey  Calhoun,  Henry  Caswell, 
Simeon  Scheeles,  and  Darius  Doty,  were  chosen  first  trustees.  A 
legal  society  was  formed  January  3,  1825,  of  which  Joseph 
Sheldon,  Reuben  Goodale,  Jehiel  M.  Howell,  Jonathan  Baker, 
and  Eliot  Makepeace,  were  the  first  trustees.  This  society  in 
1824,  built  a  stone  church  on  the  site  of  the  present  one  at  a 
cost  of  about  $7,000,  which  was  dedicated  Nov.  10,  1824,  and 


frottftown' 


297 


Ynirned  September  29,  1860.  The  present  church  vras  erected  in 
1861-2,  at  a  cost  of  from  $9,000  to  $10,000,  and  dedicated  Novem- 
ber 4,  1862.  A  church  organization  was  formed  June  21, 1823,  of 
14  members,  under  Rev.  Pitt  Morse,  the  first  clergyman,  who 
remained  lill  1826,  and  after  a  year's  absence  again  sustained 
the  charffe  of  the  society  for  many  years.  He  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  Wm.  H.  Waggoner,  who  remained  four  years.  Rev. 
H  Boynton  waa  next  employed,  and  has  been  succeeded  by  the 
Rev.  John  H.  Stewart,  the  present  clergyman.  During  the  time 
that  Mr.  Boynton  remained,  the  church  organization  was  given 
up,  and  has  not  since  been  resumed. 


Univtnalitt  Church,  Wattrioum. 

The  church  fronts  upon  the  public  square,  near  its  south  east 
corner,  and  is  after  the  plans  of  0.  L.  VVheelock,  of  this  village. 

A  Baptist  church  was  formed  in  the  town  of  Watertown,  at 
a  very  early  day.  In  1809,  it  reported  38;  in  1810,  59  j  in  1819, 
it  numbered  121.  The  church  at  the  village,  is  said  to  have 
been  organized,  under  the  supervision  of  Elder  Norman  Guiteau, 
May  29th,  1823,  of  seventeen  members.  The  succession  of  pas- 
tors have  been,  Jacob  Knapp,  John  Miller,  Charles  Clark,  L.  T. 
Ford,  W.  J.  Crane,  John  A.  Nash,  and  J.  S.  Holme,  the  present 
pastor.  A  society  was  formed,  Oct.  13, 1827,  in  Factory  Village, 
with  Lemuel  L.  Grady,  Caleb  S.  Henderson,  and  Harvey  Far- 
rington,  trustees,  who  erected  in  1828,  the  church  now  occupied 
by  the  Catholics.  In  1837,  having  sold  this,  they  erected  a  church 


396 


fFatertown. 


of  wood,  at  the  eut  end  of  the  Public  Square,  at  the  corner  of 
State  Street,  which' waa  dedicated  January  10,  1838,  and  burned 
March  8, 1846.  The  present  one  waa  soon  after  erected  on  the 
same  ground,  and  has  recently  been  enlarged  and  much  improred 
in  internal  arrangements. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination,  at  an  early  day,  organ- 
ized a  class,  and  November  27,  1821,  a  society,  with  Jonathan 
Cowen,  Titus  Ives,  John  Collins,  Thomas  Pott^,  and  Henry  H. 
Coffeen,  trustees.  On  the  9th  of  Dec.  1822,  and  Dec.  30, 1824, 
it  was  reorganized,  and  subsequently  erected  on  Arsenal  Street 
a  stone  church,  since  taken  down;  and,  from  the  increase  of  num- 
bers, the  Methodists  thought  proper  to  form  two  new  societies. 
The  Society  of  the  State  Street  JnethodiH  Episcopal  Church,  of 
Watertown,  was  formed  January  29, 1849,  with  Thomas  Baker,  A. 
J.  Peck,  H.  Scovili,  S.  K.  Carter,  A.  Cook,  Geo.  Porter,  Edmond 
Davis,  J.  M.  Sigourney,  and  I.  Huckins,  trusteetj,  who  the  same 
year  erected  the  elegant  church,  adjoining  the  Jefferson  County 
Institute,  and  representetl  in  our  engraving  of  that  seminary. 

The  present  Arsenal  Street  Methodist  Church,  was  built  in  the 
summer  of  1861. 

The  Burrville  Society  in  Watertown,  was  formed  Oct  14, 
1833,  Craft  P.  Kembie,  Geo.  W.  Jinks,  and  EInathan  Lucas, 
being  trustees,  and  subsequently  erected  a  union  church,  at  a  cost 
of  about  gt  1,660. 

St.  Mary*»  Churchy  Watertown  (Catholic),  was  purchased 
from  the  Baptists,  and  mass  was  first  said  in  it,  July  4,  1838,  by 
Rev.  Michael  Gilbride,  the  first  resident  priest  He  has  been 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Philip  Gillick,  Rev.  R.  O'Dowde,  Rev.  — 
McFarland,  and  Rev.  —  Fenniley,  the  present  priest 

The  United  Baptipt  and  Presbyterian  Society  of  Watertown, 
was  formed  Dec.  1,  1823;  Cmi  Stowell,  Jason  Richard,  and 
Samuel  F.  Ballard,  were  chosen  trustees. 

The  Second  Orthodox  Congregational  Society  in  Watertown, 
was  fi^rmed  by  citizens  of  Houndsfield,  Adams  and  Watertown, 
Jan.  6,  1842,  with  S.  F.  Ballard,  Cbancey  Read,  and  ElishaRead, 
trustees.    Neither  of  these  societies  erected  places  of  worship. 

The  First  Wesleyan  Methodist  Church  of  Watertown,  was 

^  formed  Dec.  19,  1848,  with  Peter  Baltuff,  Charles  Bostwick, 

Elim  Holcomb,  Richard  Fryar,  and  Francis  J.  J.  Blodget,  trustees. 

This  society  occupies  a  part  of  the  old  stone  building,  erected  by 

the  trustees  of  the  Watertoion  Academy. 

The  Christian  denomination,  have  one  organization  in  the 
village. 


fTibta. 


S99 


in  the 


WlUfA. 

Tbii  town  wu  erected  from  Le  Ray  and  Leyden,  April  2d, 
1818,  by  an  act  which  altered  the  line  of  the  two  counties,  and 
annexed  a  part  of  Lewis  to  Jefferson.  The  first  town  meeting 
was  directed  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Brayton,  Jr., 
and  the  poor  moneys  of  the  three  towns  were  to  be  equitably 
divided  by  the  last  tax  list.  For  many  years  the  town  meetings 
have  been  held  at  the  Checkered  House,  four  miles  from  Car- 
thage Village.  The  first  town  officers  elected  were:  Thomas 
Brayton,  tuperviior;  Elihu  Stewart,  clerk;  John  B.  Bossout, 
Caleb  Fulton,  and  Enoch  Oriffin,  assessors;  Robert  C.  Hastines, 
collector;  Henry  Lewis  and  Alfred  Freeman,  overseers  of  the 
poor;  Henry  Lewis,  Freedom  Gates,  and  Thomas  Brayton, 
commissioners  of  highways. 

iSfttpervMOff.— 1814-15,  Thomas  Brayton;  1816,  Alfred  Free- 
man; 1817,  Francis  Lloyd,  T.  Brayton  to  fill  vtLcancy;  1818-19, 
Nathan  Brown;  1820-2,  Thomas  Brayton;  1823-7,  Eli  West; 
1828-9,  Thomas  Baker;  1830-2,  Eli  West;  1833,  Walter 
Niroocks;  1834,  William  Boues;  1835-6,  Walter  Nimocks; 
1837,  William  Bones;  1838,  Oliver  Child;  1839,  Walter 
Nimocks;  1840-1,  Eli  West;  1842,  Jonathan  Wood;  1843, 
Walter  Nimocks;  1844,  Milton  H.  Carter;  1845,  Charles 
Strong;  1846,  Hiram  McCollom;  1847-9,  Simeon  Fulton; 
1860-1,  William  Christian;  1852-3,  Horace  Hooker. 

In  1816-6-7-9-20l^,  a  wo^f  bounty  of  $5.  In  1827-b,  of  flO, 
with  |6  for  wolf  whelps.  In  1831,  the  path  masters  were  al- 
lowed to  lay  out  three  days'  labor  in  destroying  noxious  weeds. 
In  1846,  strong  resolutions  were  passed  in  favor  of  the  Black 
River  Canal. 

Settlement  was  commenced  in  this  town  al^out  1798,  by  Henry 
Boutin,  who  had  purchased  1000  acres  .)f  Rodolph  Tillier, 
agent  of  the  French  Company,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  at 
the  village  of  Carthage,  and  made  a  considerable  clearing,  with 
a  company  of  men,  in  this  year  and  the  next.  Jean  Baptiste 
Bossout,*  from  the  High  Falls,  settled  at  about  the  same  time; 
and  after  the  abandonment  of  the  clearing,  remained  the  sole 
inhabitant  several  years,  keeping  a  ferry  and  inn  for  travelers. 
This  ferry  he  kept  up  till  a  bridge  was  built. 

Boutin  was  drowned  below  the  village,  a  few  years  after  his 
first  settlement,  and  J.  Le  Ray  was,  July  17,  1815,  appointed  to 
administer  the  estate,  which  was  sold  at  auction,  and  purchased 


eune 
93 


*  G«n«nlly  known  aa  Battiit.    He  vcs  a  native  of  Troyei,  in  France; 
me  to  America  with  Steuben,  and  died  in  Champion,  July  26th,  1847,  aced 

20  '^■'t^'''^':W':^'<^'^-t'fm'f^'*if-J^-mm^^^^^ 


W--. 


>no 


fyihta. 


by  >  ..icent  Le  Hay,*  from  whom  the  titles  in  Carthage  Village, 
and  vicinity,  have  been  sirxe  derived.     The  place  which  had 
previously  been  known  as  the  Long  Falls,  was,  on  the  erection 
of  a  post  office,  called  Carthage.    In  1806,  David  Cii)^ei2nf 
built  a  grist  mill  on  the  west  ranic,  and  constructed  a  dam 
partly  across  the  river,  and  this  was  subsequently  completed  b\ 
those  owning  the  forge,  >i<.c.,  on  the  east  bank.   A  forge  was  built 
in  1816,  above  the  Site  of  the  furnace,  afterwards  built,  which 
was  burned  the  same  year;  and  soon  after,  James  Barney,  Fran- 
cis Lloyd,  and  Nathan  Brown,  from  Fort  Ann,  New  York,  hav- 
ing leased,  for  ten  years,  the  water  power,  with  privileges  of  ore, 
coal,  &,c.,  erected  a  forge  in  the  lower  part  of  the  villaffe,  which 
was  got  into  successful  operation,  making  chiefly  mill  irons  and 
anchors.    This  business  gave  the  first  impulse  to  the  growth,  of 
the  place,  but  Mr.  Barney  having  soon  after  died,  the  property 
reverted  to  Le  Ray.    The  purchase  money  for  lands  sold  by  the 
Antwerp  Company  having  been  invested  in  United  States  stocks, 
was  subsequently  realized  by  the  company  in  money,  and  on  the 
20th  of  May,  1816,  loaned  to  Mr.  Le  Ray  for  the  purpose  of 
buildinff  a  furnace,  and  opening  a  road  between  the  furnace  and 
the  St.  Lawrence,  with  such  other  improvements  as  might  be 
Decenary  to  enhance '  the  value  of  their  remaining  lands.    The 
Alexandria  road,  i^nd  other  communications,  were  opened  ac- 
cordingly; and  in  1819,  a  blast  furnace  was  erected  under  the 
supervision  of  Claudius  S.  ^uilliard.   A  refining  forge,  with  two 
additional  fires,  was  bir.lt  in  1820-1,  and  in  the  fall  of  1820  the 
furnace  was  got  in  oneration,  making  in  10  weeks,  141  tons  of 
iron.    The  stack  was  30  feet  square  at  the  base,  24  feet  high; 
inside  diameter  from  7  to  10  feet.    At  first,  bog  ore  was  used, 
which  was  procured  from  swamps  in  this  county,  and  from  near 
the  river  in  Lewis  County.    Ferrigenous  bowlders  of  gneiss  were 
at  first  employed  as  a  flux.    About  1838,  specular  ores  from  St. 
Lawrence  County,  and  from  Antwerp  and  Philadelphia  in  this 
county,  beean  to  be  used,  either  alone  or  mixed  with  bog  ores. 
From  the  beginning  till  1836,  cold  air  was  used  in  the  blast, 
when  an  imperfect  apparatusfor  heating  the  pi"  wa*)  introduced; 
and  in  1840,  a  more  efficient  heating  appautv.'^  ;>»:>  employed. 
In  1845,  the  cold  blast   was  again  used.    VrM      .       is  have 
been  four  times  burned,  and  the  accident         «.  as  ^  blowing 
up,"  had  several  times  liappened,  being  caused  by  the  clogging 
up  of  damp  loomy  ores,  below  which  a  cavity  will  form.  When 
the  supports  below  melt  away,  the  inass  above  falls,  and  the 
dampness  in  the  ore  being  subjected  to  a  sudden  and  intense 
.  rJ,  k  changed  instantly  into  steam,  and  explodes  with  ter- 


<  .74&'.«on  Deecln,  J'ber  P,  p.  811. 

t  M\.  Coffeen  iiits!  ^^  Cuthtgt,  Jannuy  30tli,  1839. 


^ilna. 


aoi 


rific  violence.  The  accicient  is  known  only  where  bog  ores  tre 
used  alone.  Upon  usid)  rock  ores  'he  height  of  the  iumaca 
was  increased  to  38  feel,  und  two  tewela  or  pipes  for  air  were 
used  instead  of  one.  The  Kearney  ore  was  drawn  2i  miles,  and 
cost  from  $l'25to  $2r25  on  the  ba  ik,  and  about  |3  lor  tiiawing. 
The  ore  from  the  Shurtliff  bed,  in  Philadelphia,  17  miles  distant, 
cost  f  1*60  to  f  2  for  drawing,  60  cents  for  rai!>ing,  and  60  cents 
for  the  ore.  It  was  worked  alone  sometime;  yielded  about  36 
i  er  cent,  and  made  •  very  hard  metal,  known  as  "  cold  short." 
/  '.\i  Carthage  furnace  produced  from  2  to  3  tons  of  iron  daily, 
iutm  8  to  10  months  a  year,  until  1846,  when  it  was  abandoned, 
and  has  so  fallen  into  decay  that  it  would  require  rebuilding 
throuffhout  to  be  used.    It  belongs  to  the  Antwerp  Company. 

Nail  works  were  erected  in  1828,  and  continued  about  ten 
years;  the  nails  being  made  from  bar  iron.  In  1846,  an  extensive 
nail  factory  and  rolling  mill  were  built,  by  Hiram  McCollom, 
which  have  since  been  continued,  and  in  1849-60,  an  extt  nsive 
building  by  the  same  for  a  factory,  which  has  not  been  |  ut  in 
operation. 

The  state  road  to  the  Oswegatchie,  opened  in  1802-6,  afforled 
the  principal  avenue  to  St.  Lawrence  County,  and  made  t  his 
point  a  thoroughfare  of  much  importance,  as  through  it  must 
pass  «11  the  travel  to  the  central  and  southeKi  parts  of  the  state. 
The  St.  Lawrence  turnpike,  built  in  1812-13,  added  another 
avenue  to  the  northern  settlements,  and  made  the  erection  of 
9  bridge  necessary. 

An  act  was  passed,  June  8, 1812,  authorizing  Russell  Attwater 
and  associates,  "to  build  a  toll  bridge,  over  Black  River,  at  the 
place  where  the  state  road^  leading  to  Oswegatchie,  crosses  the 
same,  being  at  the  bead  of  the  Long  Falls,  in  Champion*  in  the 
county  oif  Jefferson."  The  principal  party  in  this  enterprise,  is 
understood  to  have  been  David  Parish,  the  eminent  fina^ier  and 
extensive  purchaser  of  northern  lands.  The  act  required  the  bridge 
to  be  sixteen  feet  wide,  well  built,  and  completed  before  No- 
vember, 1813.  Before  opening,  it  was  to  be  examined  by  the 
road  commissioners  of  Champion;  and  the  act  was  to  continue 
in  force  twenty  years.  If  damaged,  and  not  repaired  within 
twelve  months,  it  was  to  revert  to  the  state.  A  bridge  was 
accordragly  erected  in  1812,  the  architect  being  Ezra  Church, 
and  maintained  till  1829.  On  the  28th  dapf  March,  1829,  the 
act  was  extended  twenty  years,  ajs  the  bridge  was  so  decayed 
that  it  required  to  be  rebuilt  Earlyin  1829,  an  effort  was  m^de 
to  secure  by  subscription  the  means  of  building  a  free  bridge;  9. 
meeting  of  ibe  towns  was  called,  and  the  piers  of  the  toll  bridge 
were  p  >rchased  for  $600. .  At  this  time,  those  interested  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  village,  among  whom  the  most  acUve  was 


ii! 


!l|i 


XI' 


*, 

f 


302 


mina. 


Joseph  C.  Eudd,  started  a  project  of  erecting  a  bridge  across  the 
river,  among  the  islands,  which  abound  in  the  river  at  the  Long 
Falls,  and  this  project,  aided  by  Mr.  Le  Ray  and  others,  led  to 
the  erection  of  a  passage  across  the  river,  by  five  bridges,  thrown 
from  island  to  island.  At  the  nextspring  flood,  this  bridge  was 
injured,  but  it  was  again  repaired.  The  next  flood  so  injured  the 
work,  that  it  was  never  repaired,  and  it  soon  mostly  fell  into  ruin. 
The  upper  bridge,  on  the  former  side,  through  the  influence  of 
Dr.  Eli  West  and  others,  was  built  by  subscription  the  same 
summer  (1829),  as  a  free  bridge,  at  a  cost  of  $1,600,  and  lasted 
eleven  years,  when,  in  1840,  it  being  found  necessary  to  rebuild, 
a  meeting  of  Champion  and  Wilna  was  called,  which  procured  an 
act.  May  7,  allowing  a  loan  from  the  school  fund  of  $2,500  to 
Champion,  $750  toLe  Ray,  $2,000  to  Wilna,  $750  toPamelia, 
for  bridges;  among  others,  this.  The  loan  was  to  be  repaid  by 
eight  installments,  with  legal  interest.  A  covered  bridge  was 
built,  at  a  cost  of  $5,000,  which  lasted  till  1853,  when  prepara- 
tions had  been  made  to  rebuild,  and  the  contract  was  let  An 
act  was  passed,  April  11, 1853,  assuming  it  as  a  state  work,  on 
the  ground  that  it  was  over  a  portion  of  the  river,  which  is 
acknowledged  to  be  a  part  of  the  Black  River  Canal.  During 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1853,  a  substantial  bridge  was  built  by 
the  state.  * 

Within  ten  years  from  the  first  improvement  in  this  town, 
settlements  had  begun  along  the  main  road  north,  and  inns  had 
been  opened  by  Alfred  Freeman,  at  the  Checkered  House,  and 
Henry  Lewis,  nine  miles  from  the  river.  Few  farms  were  located 
before  the  war.  The  iron  business,  with  the  several  branches  of 
industry  which  it  fostered,  with  the  advantages  of  a  valuable 
water  power,  and  the  vicinity  of  an  early  settled  district,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river,  gave  a  gradual  growth  to  the  village 
of  Carthage.  The  prospective  advantages  which  the  Black 
River  Canal  promised  to  this  point,  have  created  hopes  of  future 
importance,  and  in  some  instances  led  to  investments  and  specu- 
lations in  real  estate,  to  an  extent  that  the  event  did  not  warrant; 
yet,  there  are  few  localities,  that  combine  so  many  elements  of 
prosperity  as  this.  The  canal,  though  so  long  delayed  as  to  have, 
lost  much  of  its  importance,  is  now  as  certain  of  speedy  com- 
pletion as  the  Empire  State  is  of  existence,  and  will  afford  a  slow 
but  cheap  and  certain  access  to  markets,  for  lumber  and  mineral 
products.  Three  rail  roads,  one  or  more  of  which  appear  certain 
of  being  soon  opened,  will  afford  at  all  seasons  a  ready  communi- 
cation with  central  markets;  and  an  unlimited  water  power,  and 
fertile  region  around,  present  a  combination  of  advantages,  which 
can  not  fail  of  being  greatly  improved. 

The  hydraulic  power  of  Carthage  is  but  partially  occupied, 


mond. 


fVUna. 


303 


and  supplies  2  axe  factories,  2  cupola  furnaces,  1  rolling  mill, 
and  nail  factory,  1  large  tannery  (erected  in  1830,  by  Nimocks 
&  Peftk),  2  saw  mills,  1  grist  mill,  1  forge,  and  several  establish- 
ments tor  planing,  turning,  &c.  There  are,  in  the  village, 
churches  of  the  Catholic,  Methodist,  Baptist,  and  Presbyterian 
order,  and  from  1000  to  1200  inhabitants.  In  1850  the  census 
gave  800.  In  1842,  a  building  was  erected  by  Harrison  Miller, 
for  an  academy,  and  has  since  been  held  as  private  property,  and 
occupied  as  a  high  school.  It  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  B.  F.  Bush, 
and  is  in  successful  operation. 

The  Village  of  Carthage  was  incorporated  May  26,  1841. 
The  bounds  were  made  to  begin  at  a  point  south  45°  east  thirty 
chains,  from  the  south  corner  of  the  stone  nail  factory;  thence 
north  45°  east  sixty  chains;  thence  north  45°  wesf  sixty  chains; 
thence  south  45^  west  to  the  line  between  Champion  and  Wilna, 
and  thence  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  charter  is  after  the 
model  of  that  of  the  village  of  Seneca  Falls,  and  provides  for  the 
election  of  five  trustees. 

The  first  village  trustees  elected  were,  in  1841,  Virgil  Brooks 
(president),  Sue!  Gilbert,  EbenezerHodgkins,  Amos  Choate,  and 
Walter  Nimocks.  In  June,  Elijah  Horr  elected  in  place  of 
Nimocks.  In  July,  1841,  a  fire  company  of  twenty  persons  was 
formed,  of  which  Samuel  A.  Budd  was  chosen  captain.  Another 
company  was  formed,  in  place  of  this,  Aug.  2,  1842,  called  the 
Washington  Fire  Company.  The  following  persons  have  since 
been  elected  trustees;  the  one  first  named  in  each  year,  in  italics, 
being  chosen  president. 

1842.  Virgil  Brooks,  Amos  Choate,  Elijah  Horr,  Eben.  Hodg-  m 
kins,  William  Blodget.  i 

1843.  Hiram  McCollom,  Joseph  C.  Budd,  Theodore  S.  Ham- 
mond, Samuel  J.  Davis,  Alvah  H.  Johnson. 

1844.  Hiram  McCollom,  Joseph  C.  Budd,  J.  P.  Hodgkins, 
Kellogg  E.  Parker,  Clark  Dodge. 

1845.  Eli  PFe^^  Hiram  McCollom,  Clark  Dodge,  Suel  Gilbert, 
Amos  Choate. 

1846.  Eli  West,  Hiram  McCollom,  Amos  Choate,  Samuel  A. 
Budd,  Samuel  J.  Davis. 

1847.  Hiram  McCollom,  Eli  West,  Clark  Dodge,  Suel  Gil- 
bert, Seth  L.  King. 

1848.  Hiram  McCollom,  Alvah  H.  Johnson,  Clark  Dodge, 
Seth  L.  King,  Suel  Gilbert. 

1849.  Hiram  McCollom,  Clark  Dodge,  Suel  Gilbert,  R.Rice, 
S  P.  Davis. 

1850.  Patrick  S.  Stewart,  Walter  Nimocks,  Horace  Hooker, 
Hiram  L.  Chambers. 

1851.  John  B.  Johnson,  R,  Rice,  Joseph 
Guyot,  Charles  H.  Kimball. 


'm- 


Crowner, 


xvimor 


304 


fVilna, 


1852.  EH  We$ty  H.  C.  Rice,  Joho  Hewit,  Samuel  C.  Hopkins, 
Seth  French. 

1863.  FAi  West,  John  S.  Edwards,  Herman  Rulison,  Walter 
Nimocks,  Charles  H.  Kimball. 

Near  the  extreiae  eastern  edge  of  this  town,  on  Indian  River, 
and  nine  miles  by  the  nearest  road  from  Carthage,  is  the  little 
village  of  JVaturtU  Bridge.  A  reservation,  of  a  mile  square,  had 
been  made  here,  and  a  village  plat  surveyed  by  Edmund  Tucker. 
Improvements  commenced  here  in  1818.  In  1819  and  1820,  mills 
were  erected;  the  early  settlers  being  Zebina  Chaffee,  Arnold  Burr, 
Abel  Bingham, Teunis  Allen,  Stephen  Nutting,  Charles  R.  Knight, 
and  others.  Bingham  opened  the  first  store  in  1820,  and  Knight 
the  first  inn  m  1821  and  1822.  After  the  purchase  of  a  large 
tract  in  this  vicinity,  by  Count  Survilliers,  he  caused  a  framed 
house  to  be  built  here,  for  his  summer  residence,  and  on  one  or 
two  summers,  he  made  a  short  sojourn  at  this  place,  'riie  village 
derives  its  name  from  the  fact,  that,  in  dry  seasons,  the  water  of 
the  river  finds  its  way  by  a  subterranean  passage,  under  a  mass 
of  white  lime  stone,  that  here  constitutes  the  rock  at  the  surface. 
In  floods,  the  excess  flows  in  an  open  channel  on  the  surface, 
over  which  a  bridge  passes.  From  the  soluble  character  of  this , 
rock  it  has  been  worn  into  grottos  of  some  interest,  which,  in 
low  water,  may  be  entered  a  short  distance,  and  here,  as  else* 
where  along  the  junction  of  the  white  or  primary  lime  stone  and 
the  gneiss  rock,  there  occurs  a  great  variety  of  minerals,  which 
afford  an  inviting  field  of  research,  and  will  be  more  fully  de- 
scribed in  our  account  of  the  mineralogy  of  the  county. 

•  (Somewhat  extensive  operations  for  copper  mining  were  under- 
taken in   the  fall  of  1847,  by  a  Boston  company,  under  the 

direction  of Bigelow,  in  the  town  of  Wilna,  about  two 

miles  from  the  village  of  Natural  Bridge. 

Carthagenian  Library  was  formed  M^  12,  1818.  Sylvian 
BuUard,  David  Wright,  Nathan  Brown,  Lanis  Ceffeen,  Ebene- 
Ker  Sabins,  Seth  Hooker,  John  Wait,  Elijah  Fulton,  Walter 
Nimocks,  S.  E.  D.  Angelis,  John  Hodgkin,  and  John  D.  Belmot, 
were  elected  first  trustees.  The  collection  of  this  society,  amount- 
ing to  500  volumes,  was  sold  at  auction  June  14,  1845. 

Religious  Societies. — A  Catholic  church  (St.  James')  was 
built  in  1819,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000,  on  a  lot  of  three  acres,  given 
by  Le  Ray,  who  also  contributed  largely  to  its  erection.  A  society 
was  formed  July  20,  1821,  with  Claudius  S.  Quilliard,  Edward 
Oalvin,  John  Tuley,  James  and  Vincent  Le  Ray,  John  Daley, 
and  James  Welch,  first  trustees.   The  priests  have  been,  the  Rev. 

Messrs.  John  Farnham,  James  Salmon, Fitz  Simmons,  M. 

Kelley,  M.  Gilbride, McFarlane,  M.  Powers,  John  Galla- 

gan,  and  Morris  Roach.  ,  ^ 


fVorth. 


306 


First  Baptist  Society  of  Carthage  was  formed  February  9, 
1839,  with  Joel  Miller,  Joseph  P.  Ellis,  Theodore  S.  Hammond, 
Harvey  Farrington,  Jeremiah  Lauphear,  John  Chase,  Alvah  H. 
Johnson,  Samuel  W.  Gilbert,  and  Hiram  Lauphear,  trustees.  A 
church  was  built  the  next  summer,  at  a  cost  of  about  #4,000. 

A  church  organization  had  been  previously  effected,  which.be- 
gan  to  report  to  the  association  in  1833,  and  continued  seven 
years,  as  the  church  of  Wilna.  That  of  Carthage  began  in 
1840  to  report  to  the  association. 

The  First  Society  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in 
Carthage,  was  formed  November  28,  1839,  with  Allen  Peck, 
Elijah  Horr,  Hiram  Chambers,  Nelson  Ruioson,  Joel  Miller, 
Ebeaezer  Wheeler,  Willard  Barrett,  William  L.  Chambers,  and 
Joel  P.  Rice,  trustees.    A  church  was  built  the  next  summer. 

A  Methodist  Episcopal  Society  was  formed  at  Natural  Bridge, 
and,  about  1840,  erected  a  church.    , 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  Wood's  Settlement  (Wil- 
na) was  formed  March  26,  1849,  with  Jonathan  Wood,  Peter 
Hanson,  and  Samuel  Barnum,  trustees. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Society  in  Carthage  was  formed  No- 
vember 11,  1861,  with  Hiram  McCollom,  John  Hewitt,  and 
Suel  Gilbert,  trustees.  Rev.  H.  Doane  is  the  present  pastor  of 
this  church,  and  H.  H.  Waite  the  staled  supply  of  the  former. 
A  Presbyterian  Church  was  formed  at  Natural  Bridge,  and  a 
society  formed,  July  tl3,  1840,  with  John  Camcross,  John  J. 
Lasher,  and  Lewis  Decker,  trustees.  A  church  was  soon  begun, 
but  not  finished  for  several  years.  This  Church  belongs  to  the 
Ogdensburgh  (Old  School)  presbytery.  The  Presbyterians  have 
a  small  church  edifice  at  Carthage. 

Worth. 

This  town  was  erected  from  Lorraine,  May  2,  1848;  the  first 
election  being  held  b*  the  school  house  at  Wilcox's  Comers.  It 
comprises  town  No.  2,  of  Boylston's  Tract.  At  a  special  town 
meeting,  held  in  Lorraine,  in  February,  1810,  the  division  of  the 
town  was  unanimously  voted;  but  numbers  of  settlers  in  this 
part  having  left  soon  after,  it  was  not  divided. 

Supervisors.— 18^-9,  Albert  S.  Gillett;  1850,  Riley  W. 
Green;  1851,  Jonathan  M.  Ackley;  1852,  Riley  W.  Green; 
1853,  John  M.  Ackley.  The  name  of  the  town  was  selected  by 
a  committee  chosen  for  that  purpose.  Wellington,  and  Rose- 
ville,  were  proposed,  but  rejected. 

The  eastern  portion  of  the  town  was  divided  up  among  the 
early  proprietors  of  the  Black  River  Tract,  to  make  their  propor- 
tions equal.  These  tracts,  reckoned  from  the  north  to  the  south, 
^'ere:   Harrison  and  Hoffman,  1283;  Henderson,  649;  Low, 


306 


'  Worth. 


1576;  William  Constable,  947;  the  remainder  to  Harrison,  and 
Hoffman,  22,004  acres.  The  town  was,  in  part,  surveyed  in 
November,  1801,  and  May,  1802,  under  the  direction  of  Abel 
French,  by  Joseph  Crary.  Portions  have  been  sold  for  their 
taxes,  and  several  duplicate  numbers  occur  in  the  numbering  of 
the  lots,  that  have  occasioned  much  difficulty.  The  town  derives 
its  name  from  General  W.  J.  Worth,  of  the  United  States  army, 
who  became  personally  known  in  the  county,  during  the  patriot 
disturbances  in  1838-40. 

Settlements  commenced  under  the  agency  of  Abel  French,  of 
Denmark,  an  early  and  prominent  agent,  originally  from  Albany. 
In  passing  through  Herkimer  Counry,  he  succeeded  in  interesting 
a  company  of  citizens,  residing  in  Litchfield,  to  purchase,  in 
common,  a  large  tract  in  this  town,  for  the  purpose  of  settlement. 
A  committee,  consisting  of  Timothy  Greenly,  Joseph  Wilcox, 
and  Elihu  Gillet,  having  visited  the  tract,  and  found  its  location 
and  advantages  worthy  of  attention,  concluded,  on  the  22d  of  July, 
1802,  a  contract,  with  French,  the  agent  of  Daniel  McCormick 
and  Charles  Smith,  by  which  they  agreed  to  pay  $7,622  for  the 
north-west  quarter  of  No.  2.  A  deed  was  afterwards  executed 
to  them,  in  trust,  for  themselves  and  their  associates,  and  a  mort- 
gage given.  The  tract  was  divided  into  lots,  and  drawn  by  bal- 
lot by  the  company,  who  paid  over  money  as  they  might  be  able,  to 
the  above  committee,  and  received  bonds  for  the  delivery  of  deeds, 
when  the  purchase  money  should  have  enabled  them  to  produce 
a  clear  title.  The  company  consisted,  besides  the  above,  ot  Asaph 
Case,  Leonard  Bullock,  W.  Flower,  Eli  Gillet,  Lodwick  Edwards, 
John  Griswold,  Ezekiel  Chever,  Phineas  Rose,  Joel  Caulkins, 
Abram  Ford,  Nathan  Matoon,  Asa  Sweet,  John  Pinear,  Phineas 
Stevens,  Elijah  and  David  Richmond,  John  and  William  Sagas, 
John  Houghtailing,  and  perhaps  a  few  others,  neighbors  in  Her- 
kimer County,  and  mostly  natives  of  Connecticut.  A  few  settled 
in  1802,  and  most  of  the  others  in  1803,  coming  in  by  way  of 
the  state  road  and  Redfield,  with  ox  teams,  and  working  their 
way  through  to  their  destination,  with  great  difficulty.  When 
this  was  fairly  reached,  their  labors  were  but  begun;  and  pro- 
visions must  be  obtained  at  a  distance,  with  no  roads  but  obscure 
paths,  and  no  vehicles  but  drays  formed  from  the  crotch  of  a  tree, 
and  drawn  by  oxen.  In  1805,  a  rude  saw  and  grist  mill,  under 
one  roof,  was  got  in  operation;  and  in  1806,  the  first  school  was 
taught  in  a  log  barn,  by  an  elderly  woman  named  Brown.  The 
Methodists  held  meetings  from  an  early  period,  and  are  at  present 
the  only  religious  organization  in  town.  Settlements  were  com- 
menced near  a  small  branch  of  South  Sandy  Creek,  which  is 
generally  known  as  Wilcox's  Corners,  the  seat  of  WorthvilU 
Post  Office.    This  is  about  one  mile  from  the  south  line  of  Rod- 


Internal  Improvement*. 


,307 


man,  and  two  miles  from  the  corner  of  Pinckney.  The  settlements 
had  made  considerable  progress,  when  the  rumors  of  war,  that 
filled  the  country  with  alarm,  induced  nearly  every  settler  east 
of  the  Corners,  for  a  distance  of  three  miles,  to  abandon  the 
town,  and  retire  to  a  more  interior  place.  This,  with  the  cold 
seasons  that  followed,  nearly  annihilated  the  .settlement,  which 
was  abandoned  to  a  common;  the  mortgage  was  foreclosed,  and 
the  greater  part  of  the  land  reverted  to  the  proprietors.  To  those 
who  remained,  a  reasonable  clemency  was  extended,  and  the 
foreclosure,  upon  the  whole,  did  no  injury  to  the  town. 
In  1845,  an  edifice,  for  the  purpose  of  schools  and  meetings, 
,,  was  built  at  the  Corners;  and  during  the  last  five  years,  the 
town  has  rapidly,  increased  in  population  in  the  south  part. 
About  one  quarter  of  the  town,  along  the  east  and  south  line,  is 
still  a  forest,  and  a  considerable  portion  bears  the  aspect  of  a 
new  country.  From  its  great  elevation,  it  is  somewhat  liable  to 
frosts  and  deep  snows;  but  it  is  well  watered,  and  the  soil  is  found 
to  be  finely  adapted  to  grazing,  and  much  less  liable  to  drouth 
than  the  flat  country,  underlayed  by  limestone,  nearer  the  lake 
and  north  of  Black  River.  The  surfade  is  undulating,  and  less 
broken  by  gulphs  than  Lorraine.  The  rock  is  Lorraine  shale, 
in  some  places  covered  by  drift;  and  several  sulphur  springs 
occur  in  town. 


vt: 


•"•,,r 


CHAPTER  V. 

INTERNAL  IMPROVEMENT)?. 


It  is  instructive  to  trace  the  rise  and  progress  of  those  improve- 
ments and  means  of  communication,  by  the  aid  of  which,  a 
country  has  arisen  in  the  brief  space  of  half  a  century,  from  a 
howling  wilderness  to  a  fertile  and  highly  cultivated  district, 
producing  from  its  soil  all  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  affording 
by  the  exchange  of  its  surplus  products  every  means  of  enjoy- 
ment which  civilization  has  invented,  or  the  most  refined  con- 
dition of  social  life  required.  The  following  petition  from 
Arthur  Noble  and  Baron  Steuben  to  the  legislature  in  1791,  is 
probably  the  first  that  was  ever  offered  for  the  benefit  of  this 
section  of  the  state. 

"To  the  Honorable  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
,  The  petition  of  the  subscribers  humbly  sheweth:  That  a  line  of 


308 


French  Road. 


road  from  the  Little  Falls,  on  the  Mohawk  River,  to  the 
falls  on  the  Black  River,  which  runs  into  Lake  Ontario, 
would  be  attended  with  infinite  advantages  to  this  state,  not 
only  by  opening  a  trade  with  the  flourishing  settlement  of  Ca- 
daroque,  and  that  part  of  Canada,  by  which  all  goods  and  mer- 
chandize could  be  transported  from  New  York  for  half  the  ex- 
Eense  that  they  are  by  the  present  route  by  the  river  8t. 
lawrence,  but  that  it  would,  likewise,  very  much  enhance  the 
value  of  a  large  tract  of  land  that  this  state  has  to  dispose  of, 
on  and  near  the  said  river,  and  very  much  facilitate  the  settle- 
ment of  that  country.  That  it  is  humbly  submitted  to  the  legis- 
liture  to  appoint  commissioners  to  explore,  lay  out  and  have 
said  road  made,  and  to  appropriate  a  sum  of  tmonev  or  lands  for 
that  purpose,  the  distance  being  between  fifty  and  sixty  miles; 
and  your  petitioners,  as  in  duty  bound,  will  pray. 

Arthur  Noble.  - 
Steuben." 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  petition  of  Arthur 
Noble  and  William  Baron  de  Steuben,  report:  that  the  prayer 
of  their  petition  ought  to  be  granted,  and  that  a  bill  be  prepared 
and  brought  in,  authorizing  the  commissioners  of  the  land  office 
to  set  apart  a  tract  of  land  for  the  purpose  of  defraying  the 
expense  in  exploring,  laying  out,  and  opening  a  road  from  the 
Little  Falls,  on  the  Mohawk  River,  to  the  falls  on  the  Black 
River,  or  in  such  direction  as  to  the  said  commissioners  shall 
seem  most  conducive  to  the  interests  of  the  state.  We  have  not 
been  able  to  ascertain  that  this  was  done. 

Jacob  Brown,  at  a  very  early  day,  had  taken  active  measures 
for  continuing  the  road  which  the  French  settlers  had  opened 
to  the  High  Falls,  while  forming  their  settlement  at  the  latter 
place,  down  the  %est  side  of  the  Black  River  valley  to  the  St. 
Lawrence.  The  first  settlers  had  found  their  way  into  the  coun- 
try by  using  the  navigable  channel  of  the  Black  River,  from  the 
High  Falls  to  the  present  village  of  Carthage,  or  by  the  tedious 
and  perilous  navigation  of  the  lake,  by  way  of  Oswego. 

In  anticipation  of  settlement,  Rodolph  Tillier  had  caused  to 
be  opened,  at  the  expense  of  the  French  Company,  a  route  from 
the  High  Falls,  east  of  Black  River,  to  near  the  Great  Bend,  from 
which  it  continued  in  a  line  nearly  direct  to  the  present  village 
of  Clayton.  A  branch  from  this  diverged  to  the  head  of  naviga- 
tion on  Black  River  Bay,  but  these  roads,  although  cleared  and 
the  6tumps  removed,  had  no  bridges,  and,  consequently,  were  of  no 
use  to  the  early  settlers.  It  is  said,  as  an  evidence  of  tfaf*incom- 
petence  of  this  agent  for  efliecting  these  improvements,  that  upon 
its  being  represented  to  him  that  bridges  were  indispensaUe  to 


^I'i^^ 


The  Onoegatchie  Iftoad. 


309 


the  road,  he  replied; — that  he  had  reserved  ffty  dollars  for 
that  very  purpose.  This  road  fell  entirely  into  disuse,  and  it 
is  doubtful  whether  a  rod  of  it  is  now  traveled.  The  first  tra- 
velled road  in  the  county  north  of  Black  River,  owes  its  origin 
to  Judge  Nathan  Ford,  of  Ogdensburgh,  whose  indomitaole 
energy  enabled  him  to  encounter  the  dimculties  of  a  new  settle- 
ment, with  a  success  seldom  equaled.  He  was  a  man  eminently 
distinguished  for  his  zeal  and  enterprise  in  wha'ever  related  to 
internal  improvements,  and  the  public  welfare  in  general.  In  his 
correspondence  with  the  landholders  of  Macomb  s  Purchase,  he 
frequently  urged  the  matter  in  the  most  forcible  language,  and  as 
these  letters  will  serve  not  only  to  convey  an  idea  of  the  times, 
but  also  of  the  characteristics  of  the  man,  we  will  make  from 
them  a  few  extracts. 

To  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer  he  wrote,  December  30,  1799: 
"  You  will  allow  me  the  liberty  of  stating  my  ideas  upon  the 
utility  of  a  road  being  cut  through  from  some  part  of  their  town- 
ships upon  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mohawk  River.  If  this  could 
be  made  a  state  object,  it  would  be  productive  of  two  good  ef- 
fects to  the  proprietors: — first,  it  would  save  them  a  considerable 
sum  of  money;  and,  second,  it  would  hold  out  an  idea  to  those 
*  who  intend  to  emigrate,  of  the  real  value  of  this  country,  a  strong 
evidence  of  which  would  be  the  legislature's  interesting  itself. 

If  Mr.  Brown  has  succeeded  in  getting  the  road  to  old  John- 
stown, I  take  it  that  half  of  the  expense  is  over,  for  I  do  not  be- 
lieve it  is  above  fifty  or  fifty-five  miles  from  here  to  get  to  where 
that  begins. 

It  is,  in  my  opinion,  unreasonable  to  expect  any  very  heavy 
and  important  settlements  to  be  made,  unless  there  is  a  road 
which  will  shorten  the  distance  to  Albany.  I  have  taken  much 
pain&  to  ascertain  the  probable  distance  to  Albany,  and  I  dare 
venture  it  as  an  opinion  that  it  will  not  overrun  160  miles  from 
this  very  spot.  I  am  confident  it  will  fall  rather  short  than  other- 
wise. This  road,  once  cut  out,  will  immediately  be  settled  upon, 
and  if  it  should  be  nothing  more  than  a  winter  road  at  first,  the 
advantage  would  be  immense. 

The  difficulty  of  getting  to  this  country  with  families  is  be- 
yond what  is  generally  supposed.  The  present  road  through  the 
Chateaugay  country  accommodates  the  few  who  emigrate  from 
the  upper  part  of  Vermont,  but  the  immense  flood  of  people  who 
emigrate  to  the  westward,  go  there  because  they  have  no  choice. 
This  rouj  once  opened  as  contemplated,  the  emigration  would 
soon  turn  this  way,  not  only  because  the  distance  would  be  less 
than  to  thttOenesee,  but  also  because  the  lands  are  better  and  more 
advantageously  situated.  If  the  legislature  will  not  take  up  the 
business,  I  am  fully  of  opinion  the  proprietors  will  find  their  aC' 


'    \ 


9m 


The  Onoegatchie  Road* 


count  in  cutting  out  the  road  at  their  own  expense.  I  should 
suppose  those  who  own  in  the  Big  Purchase  would  unite  partially 
in  tne  thing,  for  that  land  can  never  settle  until  a  roaa  is  cut. 
The  traveling  and  commerce  which  go  to  Albany  from  Upper 
Canada,  will  far  surpass  the  most  sang|iine  idea.  I  am  confident 
the  farmer  from  this  country  will  take  his  produce  as  easily  to 
Albany  as  he  can  to  Montreal,  and  he  is  sure  of  going  to  a  bet- 
ter market.  Over  and  above  this  (which  is  a  sufficient  Reason 
for  inducing  them  this  way),  is,  that  generally  speaking,  those 
'  who  have  settled  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  are 
from  the  North  anii  Mohawk  rivers,  and  their  connections  are 
there.  So  thev  have  a  double  advantage  of  seeing  their  friends 
and  doing  their  business  upon  more  advantageous  principles. 
Vast  numbers  of  the  most  leading  farmers  in  that  country,  have 
assured  me  they  vrould  go  to  Albany  in  preference  to  Montreal, 
if  it  took  them  three  days  longer.  I  am  confident  the  commerce 
that  would  flow  into  Albany  through  the  medium  of  this  road, 
would  very  soon  reimburse  the  state  for  the  expense.  Those  who 
live  on  our  own  side  of  the  river,  are  compelled  from  necessity 
to  trade  at  Montreal.  This  is  the  case  with  myself.  My  incli- 
nation is  to  trade  to  Albany,  but  it  is  impossible.  It  is  highly 
politic  to  prevent  if  possible,  the  commerce  of  this  country  from  » 
falling  into  a  regular  system  through  Montreal;  for  when  people 
once  form  mercantile  connections,  it  is  vastly  difficult  to  divert 
and  turn  the  current  into  a  new  channel.  I  see  no  rational  mode 
but  having  the  road  cut,  to  secure  to  Albany  so  desirable  an  ob- 
ject. I  havi!  taken  the  liberty  of  stating  my  ideas  upon  this 
subject,  which,  if  they  should  meet  yours,  I  trust  and  hope  you 
will  take  such  steps  as  will  secure  a  benefit  to  the  state,  as  well 
as  promote  the  interest  of  the  proprietors  and  settlers. 

Concerning  this  survey.  Ford  wrote,  Sept.  27, 1801,  to  Thomas 
L.  Ogden,  as  follows: 

"  Dear  Sir. — I  have  most  impatiently  waited  until  the  present 
time,  to  give  you  that  information  upon  the  subject  of  the  road, 
which  I  know  you  are  anxious  to  receive.  It  is  but  a  few  days 
since  Edsal  finished  the  survey;  and  Capt.  Tibbet's  setting  out 
for  Schenectady  to-morrow,  affords  me  the  earliest  opportunity  I 
have  had.  From  the  east  branch  of  Oswegatchie  Lake,  to  the 
Ox  Bow,  and  from  there  on  to  the  High  Falls,  Edsal  runs  a  line 
agreeable  to  the  plan  proposed  by  Mr.  Morris,  and  I  am  sorry  to 
add,  soon  after  leaving  the  Ox  Bow,  he  came  to  a  most  intolerable 
swampy  and  ridgy  ground,  growing  worse  and  worse  as  he 
progressed,  and,  before  he  reached  the  High  Falls,  became  so 
perfectly  confident  of  the  impracticability  or  a  road,  as  well  as 
the  impossibility  of  settlement,  that  he  abandoned  the  idea,  went 
to  Castorville,  and  from  thence  to  the  head  of  the  Long  Falls. 


■ik  ■i^hi'J^'ii^iiki^&ii^^JLi:^^:^^^!,-^::^ 


^^  7^9  diwegatchie  Road,,  n. 

From  the  information  I  had  been  able  to  collect  from  various^ 
quarters,  I  was  apprehensive  it  would  be  impossible  to  obtain 
our  object  by  that  route,  in  consequence  of  which,  I  directed 
Edsal,  in  case  he  should  find  it  as  he  really  has,  to  go  to  the  head 
of  the  Long  Falls,  and  run  a  line  from  there  to  the  Ox  Bow,  and 
I  am  happy  to  tell  you,  that  an  excellent  road  may  be  had  that 
way,  and  without  adding  to  the  distance.  And  a  further  advan- 
tage arises,  by  crossing  the  Black  River,  at  the  Long  /alls,  is, 
we  fall  into  the  Black  River  road,  which  saves  us  the  expense  of 
cutting  30  miles.  This  I  view  as  a  great  object,  particularly  so, 
as  our  distance  is  not  increased  thereby.  How  far  Mr.  Morris 
will  feel  disposed  to  go  on  in  the  subscription  he  has  made,  I  do 
not  know,  but  I  do  not  doubt  he  will  still  do  what  is  generous, 
for  the  French  lands  will  be  as  well,  nay,  better  accommodated 
by  the  road,  running  as  it  does,  than  it  would  by  going  to  the 
High  Falls.  I  shall  write  him  fully  upon  the  subject,  and  when 
you  see  him,  I.  wish  you  to  converse  with  him  about  it. 

I  have  contracted  with  Edsal  for  making  the  road  from  Louis- 
ville to  the  east  branch  of  Black  Lake,  at  16  dollars  per  mile; 
the  road  to  be  cut  and  cleared  one  rod,  cradle-knolls  and  sides 
of  ridges  to  be  leveled;  small  crossways  and  bridges  over  small 
streams  to  be  made.  I  have  also  contracted  for  8  miles  of  the 
road  beyond  east  branch,  west,  at  the  same  terms,  and  expect  to 
contract  for  the  whole  soon.  Where  it  falls  into  the  road  already 
cut  in  Madrid  and  Louisville,  deduction  is  to  be  made,  as  much 
as  the  cutting  those  roads  cost 

In  running  through  Lisbon,  and  going  to  the  north  of  the  Big 
Swamp,  the  introduction  into,  and  through  Madrid,  will  be  along 
the  road  already  cut,  and  I  think  it  no  more  than  propei;,  to  allow 
you  upon  your  subscription,  the  price  that  road  has  cost  you.  If 
I  am  not  very  much  mistaken,  you  told  me  it  was  not  of  much 
consequence  to  you,  if  it  should  happen  to  be  the  case.  I  am  of 
opinion,  it  will  be  more  advantageous  to  you,  to  have  the  road 
there,  than  where  you  first  talked  of.  I  wish  I  could  have  the 
road  come  as  nigh  to  me,  as  it  does  to  you. 
From  the  west  line  of  Madrid,  to  the  E?^st  Branch       •"'  ■'^■**'' 

(Oswegatchie  River), is _. 13miles. 

From  East  Branch  to  Ox  Bow, 26    *«  ^ 

From  Ox  Bow  to  West  Branch  of  Oswegatchie  Lake  "'  ^^ 

(Indian  River), 13    "    ' 

From  West  Branch  to  head  ofLong  Falls  (Carthage^     13    '* 
From  Lons  Falls  to  Shaler's  (Turin),  (is  good  road)     30    "   '^ 
From  Shaler's  to  Albany,  through  tne  Royal  Grant 
and  Old  Johnstown, 90    **    / 

Carried  forward, , -- 186    *' 


•■  i        31$  Th«  Otwegatchit  Road.     '       ^ 

drought  forward 185mUea. 

Allow,  that  I  may  not  be  correct  in  the  last  state- 
ment (thou^ih  I  am  pretty  sure), 6    ** 

•190  miles. 

There  will  be  the  croiswaying  and  the  bridging  to  be  done; 
these  two  things  will  cost  considerable,  but  running  the  road  as 
I  have  laid  it  out,  will  cost  us  certainly  not  more  than  half  as 
much  as  it  would  to  go  by  the  High  Falls.  £dsal  says,  he  is 
confident,  that  the  road  from  Ox  Bow  to  High  Falls,  would  not 
be  made  for  a  much  larger  sum  than  S,000  dollars,  and  then  it 
would  be  through  a  country  which  would  not  settle;  now,  we 
have  a  fine  country  all  the  way.  Tuttle  has  paid  the  money,  and 
Edsal  thinks  he  will  be  able  to  furnish  part  ot  the  draft  you  save 
roe.  I  shall  not  want  it  ail  this  fall,  unless  the  fall  should  he  a 
very  fine  one,  in  which  case  I  hope  to  see  the  greai^r  part  of  the 
business  of  cutting  done.  I  have  put  thepetition  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  the  county,  into  the  hands  of  Turner  and  Tibbet,  for 
signatures,  who  say  they  will  do  all  in  their  power  to  promote 
the  thing.    I  shall  bring  it  to  Albany  with  me. 

I  hope  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  you  this  winter  at 
Albany,  and  I  hope  you  will  in  the  mean  time  do  all  in  vour 
power  to  help  the  thing  forward.  I  expected  to  have  heard  from 
you,  upon  the  subject  of  the  road  't  ^m  Salmon  River  to  the 
townships. 

Pray,  has  the  Patroon  consented  to  our  road,  and  subscribed, 
or  does  he  still  cast  a  languishing  eye  to  Schroon  Laket 

Be  pleased  to  make  my  respects  to  Mrs.  Ogden  and  your  family. 

Believe  me  to  he  with  every  wish  for  your  nealth  and  happinefls. 
Your  humble  servant, 
Thwnas  L.  Ogden,  Esq.,  New  York."  N.  Ford.  ■ 

This  road  from  Salmon  River,  referred  to,  was  a  part  of  a 
qrstem  of  roads  that  originated  with  George  Scriba*  Nathan 
Sage,  and  others,  of  Oswego  Countv,  that  was  designed  to  ex- 
tend from  the  Salt  Works  to  Redfield,  and  thence  through  as 
directly  as  possible  to  Champion  and  St.  Lawrence  County.  A 
letter  by  Nathan  Sage,  before  us,  on  this  subiect,  to  Judge 
Hubbard,  of  Champion,  at  a  later  period  (October  24,  1810), 
says: 

^The  ^rst  object  is,  to  open  the  shortest  route  to  the  Salt  Springs, 
and  a  communication  to  the  Gepesee  country,  and  those  parts 

*  Thate  diitai^i  are  found  to  be,  h  follows:  Oswegatchie  River  at  Heu- 
velton,  to  Ox  Bow,  nearly  aa  above  stated.  From  Ox  Bow  to  Indian  River. 
7  noiles;  from  thence  to  Carthage,  16i  miles;  from  thence  to  Shaler's  old 
eettlemeot,  (now  CoaatablfviUe),  3?  miles. 


Th§  Oiwegatchu  Road. 


313 


adjacent  to  them.  The  people  south  and  weat  are  very  anxioua 
for  this  road,  and  will  use  oil  their  influence.  Mr.  Scriba  haa 
petitions  in  circulation  in  those  sections.  I  shall  put  some  in 
circulation  here,  and  hope  you  will  endeavor  to  do  all  you  can 
in  your  section.  I  look  on  this  road  as  of  the  greatest  importance 
to  this  part  of  the  state,  and  make  no  doubt  that  if  subscribers 
are  obtained,  and  some  uareful  influential  roan  be  employed  to 
attend,  an<]  your  members  influence  themselves,  aid  can  be  got 
by  a  lottery  for  this  purpose." 

In  a  letter  to  Gouverneui  Morris,  dated  September  27,  1801, 
Ml .  Ford  recapitulates  the  substance  of  the  previous  one  to  Off- 
deb,  apologizes  for  the  necessity  of  going  to  the  Long  Falls, 
instead  of  through  the  French  lands,  and  adds: 

"  You  will  be  pleased  to  vay  how,  and  in  what  proportion, 
the  liberal  subscription  you  have  made  shall  be  applied.  I 
lament  that  the  country  through  to  the  High  Falls  is  so  bad. 
Should ,  the  road  be  cut  through,  the  country  will  not  admit  of 
s^tiement)  consequently,  the  object  that  way  roust  be  abandoned. 
I  have  presumed  you  would  not  wholly  withdraw  your  patronage, 
because  there  are  vour  own  lands,  as  well  as  part  of  the  French 
lands,  which  will  oe  materially  benefited.  I  have  contracted  for 
about  onr^half  the  road  from  Louisville  to  the  Long  Falls,  and 
I  expect  to  close  a  contract  for  the  remainder  very  shortly.  The 
great  object  of  a  road  to  this  country  to  uj  all,  and  that  route 
being  the  most  practicable  one,  h  is  induced  me  to  hazard  the 
completion  of  it  upon  the  subscr  >tions  we  have  obtained.  I 
wish  there  had  been  a  sura  subscribed  that  would  have  justified  a 
wider  and  better  road;  but  so  it  is,  and  we  roust  make  the  best 
of  k.  My  contract  is  to  cut  out  trees  eighteen  inches  and 
under,*— «ixteen  and  a  half  feet  wide,  cradle  knolls,  and  side  hills 
to  be  dug  down,  small  croasways  and  small  bridges  over  small 
runs  to  be  made,  and  stumps  to  be  cut  so  low  as  not  to  obstruct 
a  wheel,  and  large  trees  to  be  girdled.  For  doing  this,  I  give 
sixteen  dollars  per  mile.  Bridges  and  crossways  are  a  separate 
thing,  and  must  be  the  subject  of  future  contracts.  I  hope  to 
have  much  of  the  road  finished  this  fall. 

"  From  the  lower  line  of  Louisville  to  the  East  Branch,  which 
the  road  crosses  about  3}  miles  from  the  Forks  (site  of  the  vil- 
lage of  Heuvelton),  33  miles;  from  East  Branch  to  Ox  Bow,  26; 
from  Ox  Bow  to  head  of  Long  Falls,  26;  from  Long  Falls  to 
Shaler's,  30;  from  Shaler's  to  Albany,  by  the  way  of  the  Royal 
Grant  and  Johnstown,  90.  I  possibly  may  not  be  correct  in  the 
last  distance,  but  I  am  pretty  confident  I  am;  but  allow  5  miles^ 
p;ives  210  miles.  This  is  the  distance  upon  this  route  to  Alba- 
ny, by  which  your  land  is  brought  within  170  miles  of  Albany; 


.rf*>f, !**■*> 


314    i 


The  OuMgaiehie  Road. 


which,  I  will  venture  to  my,  is  the  luoei  practicable  route  that 
will  be  had  to  that  city,  from  the  St.  Lawrence. 

!  am,  sir,  as  ever,  your  bumble  seryant, 

N.  FOKD. 

Tke  Hon,  0.  Morris,  Esq." 

To  Samuel  Ogden,  Mr.  Ford  wrote,  October  CO,  1801: 
"  Dear  Sir. — I  wrote  you  the  27th  of  last  month,  which  I 
hope  you  have  received.  In  that  I  told  you  I  was  pushing  at 
the  road,  and  it  gives  me  much  pleasure,  that,  by  a  little  extra- 
ordinary exertion,  I  shall  get  the  whole  of  it  so  far  completed, 
that  I  intend  finding  my  way  through  with  a  sleigh  this  winter. 
If  I  could  have  but  one  month  longer  I  would  have  it  all  bridged; 
but  the  season  is  too  far  advanced  and  forbids  my  attempting  it. 
I  have  spared  no  pains  to  get  the  road  on  the  best  ground.  I  was 
not  satisfied  witfi  Edsal's  first  return  of  the  road,  and  sent  him 
back  to  explore  the  ground  again,  between  the  Ox  Bow  and  the 
head  of  the  Long  Falls;  the  result  of  which  was  better  ground, 
and  four  miles  saved  in  distance.  My  intention  is  to  set  out  in 
January,  with  as  many  sleighs  as  I  can  muster,  and  break  the 
road  through,  and  advertise  the  thing  in  all  the  northern  papers, 
so  as  to  get  people  traveling  through  this  winter.  The  present 
opportunity  only  gives  me  time  to  tell  you  how  much  I  am. 

Yours,  N.  FoBD." 

To  T.  L.  Ogden,  on  the  same  dats,  he  wrote: 

*'  I  wrote  you  the  27th  of  last  month,  which  I  hope  you  have 
received.  In  that  I  told  you  what  were  my  prospects  about  the 
road,  &c.  The  present  opportunity  affords  me  only  time  to  tell 
you,  I  shall  have  the  whole  so  far  completed,  that  I  expect  to 
blunder  through  it  this  winter,  with  a  sleigh,  and  I  hope  to  induce 
many  to  follow  the  example.  In  order  to  get  the  road  in  as  much 
forwardness  as  I  hkve,  has  required  much  exertion;  but  the  at- 
taining of  the  desired  object  is  a  gratification,  which  will  atone 
for  a  little  slavery." 

To  Samuel  Ogden,  Mr.  Ford  wrote,  November  29,  1801. 

"  It  is  with  pleasure  I  announce  to  you  my  having  finished 
cutting  the  road,  and  all  the  logs  are  turned,  excepting  about  eight 
miles,  and  the  party  goes  out  to-morrow  morning  to  finish  that; 
after  which  I  think  the  road  may  be  said  to  be  passable  for  sleighs, 
although  there  is  considerable  digging  yet  to  be  done,  as  well  as 
crossways.  If  I  could  have  had  three  weeks  longer,  I  could  now 
have  pronounced  it  one  of  the  best  roads  in  any  new  country.  I 
have  nad  crossways  made  over  the  worst  places,  and  a  bridge 
over  the  west  branch  of  Black  Lake  (Indian  River),  eighty  feet 


long,  I 
(Oswe, 
tail  rai 
Ifll 
which  I 
putting 
which 
Howevi 
that  wj 
ice  will 
From  tl 
to  this  f 
rond  thr 
Albany, 
A  litt 
exertion 
this  wini 
The  re 
holders, 
known  ai 
proved  ir 
country  d 
were  wui 
a  subseqt 
with  the 
spring  to 
parsimon; 
tbero  my' 
It  was. 
for  this  w 
ated  for  t 
cent  adde 
wich,  anc 
County  of 
in  St.  Lav 
and  Nathi 
were  appt 
proved  Ian 
the  above 
thought  pi 
it  into  the 
of  the  lott( 
he  filled  by 
The  summ( 
of  the  roai 
wrote: 


Th9  Otwegatchie  Road. 


aifi 


long,  and  I  should  have  had  the  bridge  orer  the  east  branch 
(Oswegati  hie  Hiver),  but  1  was  fearful  of  being  caught  by  the 
tall  raiiiR.    That  is  a  bridge  which  must  be  twelve  rods  long. 

If  I  live  ill  I  have  my  health  next  summer,  I  will  have  that  a  road, 
which  shitll  be  drove  with  loaded  wagons,  for  I  have  no  idea  of 
putting  with  snch  a  thing  as  they  have  made  through  Chatauguay, 
which  scarcely  deserves  the  name  of  an  apology  for  a  road. 
However,  I  do  not  know,  but  it  will  be  good  enough  for  the  use 
that  will  be  made  of  it,  after  ours  becomes  finished.  I  expect  the 
ice  will  serve  as  a  bridge  over  the  East  Branch,  this  winter. 
From  the  East  Branch,  where  the  road  crosses,  I  have  cut  a  road 
to  this  place,  and  about  the  1st  of  January  I  intend  to  break  the 
rond  through  to  the  Long  Falls  (Carthage),  and  find  my  way  to 
Albanv,  by  this  new  route. 

A  little  extraordinary  exertion  has  made  the  i^oad,  and  a  little 
exertion  will  break  it,  for  I  am  determined  to  have  it  traveled 
this  winter,  by  which  we  shall  gain  one  year." 

The  road  was  at  first  opened  by  a  subscription  among  the  land 
holders,  and  its  continuation  through  Lewis  County  was  long 
known  as  the  Oswegatchie  road.  The  sums  raised  by  these  means 
proved  inadequate  to  build  the  road  of  the  character  which  the 
country  demanded;  and  narrow,  sectional,  and  local  jealousies 
were  iound  to  embarrass  the  enterprise.  Of  these,  Mr.  Ford,  in 
a  subsequent  letter,  says:  "  If  I  could  have  effected  any  thing 
with  the  proprietors,  as  to  the  road,  it  would  have  given  a  great 
spring  to  emigration;  but  they  conducted  themselves  with  such 
parsimony,  that  1  abandoned  the  thing  to  its  fate,  after  leaving 
them  my  proposition." 

It  was  next  attempted,  with  success,  to  obtain  state  patronage 
for  this  work;  and  on  the  9th  of  April,  1804,  a  lottery  was  cre- 
ated for  the  purpose  of  raising  the  sum  of  $22,000,  with  ten  per 
cent  added,  for  expenses  to  construct  a  road  from  Troy  to  Green- 
wich, and  "  from,  or  near  the  head  of  the  Long  Falls,  in  the 
County  of  Oneida,  to  the  mills  of  Nathan  Ford,  at  Oswegatchie, 
in  St.  Lawrence  County."  The  latter  was  to  be  six  rods  wide, 
and  Nathan  Ford,  Alexander  J.  Turner,  and  Joseph  Edsell, 
were  appointed  commissioners  for  making  it.  Owners  of  im- 
proved lands  might  require  payment  for  damages.  #12,000  of 
the  above  sum  was  appropriated  for  this  road.  If  any  person 
thought  proper  to  advance  money  for  either  road,  he  might  pav 
it  into  the  treasury,  to  be  repaid  with  interest  out  of  the  avails 
of  the  lottery.  Vacancies  in  the  office  of  commissioners  were  to 
be  filled  by  the  governor.  They  were  to  be  paid  $1*50  per  day. 
The  summer  of  1805  was  devoted  to  the  location  and  opening 
of  the  road,  and  on  the  26th  of  October,  1805,  Judge  Ford 
wrote:  -    ^  ,. 

21  ■    .  "■      :    ■" ''" 


316 


The  Oswegatchie  Road. 


n  ^\ 


"  I  have  just  returned  from  laying  out  the  State  Road  between 
Ogdensburgh  and  the  Long  Falls  upon  Black  River,  and  I  am 
happy  to  tell  you  we  have  made  great  alterations  (from  the  old 
road),  for  the  better,  also  as  well  as  shortening  the  distance.  This 
business  took  roe  nine  days,  and  roost  of  the  time  it  was  stormy, 
disagreeable  weather.  The  difBculty  1  find  in  forming  a  plan 
how  our  lottery  money  can  be  laid  out  to  the  best  advantage, 
makes' me  wish  for  some  abler  head  than  mine,  to  consult,  or 
those  with  whom  I  am  associated  in  the  commission.  To  contract 
by  the  mile  is  very  difficult,  and  to  contract  by  the  job,  compre- 
hending the  whole  distance,  is  still  worse.  After  consulting  and 
turning  the  business  in  all  the  ways  and  shapes  it  is  capable  of, 
I  proposed  to  my  colleague  the  propriety  of  employing  a  man  of 
reputation,  who  had  weight  of  character  equal  to  the  procuring 
of  thirty  good  hands  to  be  paid  by  the  month,  and  he  to  super- 
intend the  business;  the  superintendent  to  be  handsomely  paid, 
and  he  to  carry  on  and  conduct  the  business  under  the  direction 
of  the  commissioners.  This  plan  we  jiave  adopted,  and  I  trust  I 
have  found  a  man  who  is  fully  competent  to  ne  task,*  and  we 
shall  make  our  engagements  to  begin  on  the  25th  of  May.  I 
hope  nothing  will  interfere,  which  will  obstruct  our  progressing. 
I  am  sorry  to  say  I  am  not  wholly  without  my  fears,  although  I 
durst  not  whisper  such  an  idea.  You  would  be  astonished  to  see 
how  much  pains  are  taken  to  counteract  this  object,  by  those 
who  are  settling  lands  to  the  east  of  us;  and  you  would  be  equally 
astonished  to  see  the  exertion  there  is  now  making  to  get  loads 
in  every  direction  to  Lake  Champlain.  Their  exertion  is  by  no 
means  fruitless,  for  they  have  worked  through  with  several.  This 
1,  however,  am  happy  to  see;  notwithstanding  it  produces  Jo  us 
a  temporary  evil,  it  will  eventually  be  a  thing  which  can  not  fail 
to  produce  to  us  solid  advantages;  because,  through  these  avenues, 
we  shall  ultimately  reap  as  great  advantages  as  they  will.  All 
that  can  be  said  of  the  thing  is,  they  are  now  enjoying  the  first 
fruits." 

An  act  was  passed  March  26,  1803,  for  opening  and  improving 
certain  great  roads  of  the  state,  with  the  proceeds  of  a  lottery, 
to  be  drawn  under  the  supervision  of  Philip  Ten  Eyck,  Thomas 
Storm,  William  Henderson,  Mathias  B.  Tallmadge,  and  Jacobus 
Van  Schoonhovin.  The  fund,  so  raised,  was  intended  to  be  chiefly 
applied  to  the  opening  of  roads  in  the  Black  River  country,  and 
was  limited  to  $41,500.  The  following  sections  will  give  more 
fully  the  intentions  of  the  act. 

"  ^nrf  be  it  further  enacted:  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the 
person  administering  the  government  of  this  state,  by  and  with 


*  David  Sejrmour,  of  Springfield,  Vt.,  the  father  of  George  N.  Seymour,  Esq., 
of  Ogdensburgh. 


The  Otwegatchie  Road. 


317 


the  advice  and  consent  of  the  council  of  appointment,  to  appoint 
three  or  more  commissioners,  to  open  and  improve  the  road  as 
laid  out  by  Peter  Colt  and  Nathan  Sage,  from  Rome  to  Brown- 
vilie,  on  the  Black  River;  and  that  the  said  commissioners  so 
appointed,  shall  extend  the  said  road,  from  Brownville  to  the 
St.  Lawrence  River,  so  as  to  have  the  best  ground  for  a  road,  and 
the  most  convenient  ferry  across  the  said  water  to  Kingstown,  in 
the  province  of  Upper  Canada. 

iMnd  be  it  further  enacted:  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  per- 
son administering  the  government  of  this  state,  by  and  with  the 
consent  of  the  council  of  appointment,  to  appoint  three  or  more 
commissioners,  to  lay  out  and  improve  a  road  from  within  two 
miles  from . Preston's  tavern,  in  the  town  of  Steuben;  thenc^ 
to  within  three  miles  of  the  High  Falls  of  Black  River;  thence 
through  the  towns  of  Turin,  Lowville,  Champion,  Rutland,  Wa- 
tertown,  and  Brownville,  so  as  to  intersect  the  aforesaid  road, 
between  the  Black  River  and  the  south  bounds  of  great  No.  IV, 
of  Macomb's  Purchase. 

*dnd  be  it  further  enacted:  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  per- 
son administering  the  government  of  this  state,  by  and  with  the 
advice  and  consent  of  the  council  of  appointment,  to  appoint 
one  or  more,  not  exceeding  three  commissioners,  to  lay  out  a 
road  from  within  two  miles  of  Preston's  TaVern,  in  the  town  of 
Steuben,  as  aforesaid,  to  Johnstown,  or  as  near  Johnstown  as  the 
nature  of  the  ground  and  the  general  interests  of  the  Black  River 
country  require;  and,  that  when  this  part  of  the  road  shall  have 
been  so  laid  out,  the  commissioners,  for  laying  out,  opening,  and 
improving  the  road  through  the  Black  River  country,  generally, 
shall  open  and  improve  it." 

Of  the  avails  of  this  lottery,  $10,000  were  applied  for  opening 
a  road  through  Washington,  Essex,  and  Clinton  counties  to  the 
province  line,  and  $1,500  for  a  bridge  over  the  west  branch  of 
the  Hudson. 

Nathan  Sage,  Henry  Huntington,  and  Jacob  Brown,  were  ap- 
pointed commissioners  for  opening  the  road  above  mentioned, 
passing  through  Redfield,  and  these  were,  by  an  act  passed  April 
9,  1804,  authorized  and  empowered  to  make  such  deviations  on 
said  route  as  they  deemed  proper,  notwithstanding  the  provision 
in  the  original  act. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1805,  Henry  McNeil,  George  Doo- 
little,  and  Bill  Smith,  were  appointed  to  lay  out  a  road  in  as 
direct  a  route  as  practicable,  from  Whitesboro  through  Deerfield 
and  Floyd,  to  Turin  to  intersect  the  state  road  that  runs  along 
the  Black  River. 

Jacob  Brown,  Walter  Martin,  and  Peter  Schuyler,  were  appoin- 
ted under  the  act  of  March  26th   1803,  to  " 


the 


iuau 


318 


State  Roads. 


W:- 


t  ■ 


through  the  Black  River  valley,  which  has  since,  until  recently, 
been  known  as  the  State  Road,  and  $30,000  were  expended  un« 
der  that  act.  Silas  Stow  acted  a  short  time  as  one  of  the  com- 
missioners, both  on  the  Black  River  and  the  Johnstown  section, 
with  Brown,  Martin,  and  Schuyler.  !  ^> 

An  ..ct  of  April  8,  1808,  Augustus  Sacket,  David  I.  Andrus, 
and  John  Meacham  were  empowered  to  lay  out  a  public  road 
four  rods  wide,  commencing  at  such  place  in  Brownvillc  or 
Houndsfield  as  shall,  in  the  opinion  of  the  con:.nissioners,  best 
unite  with  the  great  road  leading  from  Rome  to  the  river  St. 
Lawrence  at  Putman's  Firry,  and  pursuing  such  route  as  in  their 
opinion  shall  best  accommodate  the  public  in  general,  to  the  vil- 
lage of  Salina. 

By  an  act  of  April  2,  1813,  the  surveyor-general  was  "au- 
thorized and  required  to  sell  and  dispose  of  so  much  of  the  unap- 
propriated lands  of  this  state,  on  a  credit  of  twelve  months,  lying 
in  the  county  of  Oneida,  called  the  Fish  Creek  Land,  as  shall  raise 
the  sum  of  $4,000,  and  the  same  is  hereby  appropriated  for  im- 
proving the  road  from  Sackets  Harbor,  on  Lake  Ontario,  to  the 
village  of  Rome,  in  the  county  of  Oneida,  being  the  road  hereto- 
fore laid  out  by  commissioners  appointed  by  the  state,  and  pay 
the  same  over  to  Henry  Huntington,  Clark  Allen  and  Dan  Taft, 
who  are  hereby  appointed  superintendents  to  take  charge  of  the 
expenditures  of  the  said  sum,  for  the  objects  aforesaid."  These 
men  were  required  to  give  security  to  double  the  amount  of  the 
trust,  and  were  to  be  paid  two  dollars  per  day. 

The  road  thus  opened,  subsequently  became  a  stage  route,  and 
one  of  the  principal  avenues  into  the  county,  and  it  repeatedly 
became  an  object  of  state  legislation  and  patronage.  In  1807, 
active  efforts  were  made  in  Oneida  and  Lewis  counties,  to  obtain 
a  lottery  for  improving  the  road  from  Whitesboro  to  Utica,  but 
failed  in  consequence  of  the  number  of  similar  applications  from 
other  localities. 

An  act  was  passed  April  1,  1814,  appointing  William  Smith, 
George  Brayton  and  Benjamin  Wright  to  lay  out  a  road  from 
Salina  to  Smitu's  Mills  (Adams),  to  intersect  at  that  place,  the 
State  Road  from  Rome,  through  Redfield  and  Lorraine,  to  Brown- 
ville.  The  sum  of  $5,000,  derived  from  duties  on  salt  and  a  tax 
on  the  adjacent  lands  that  were  to  receive  direct  and  inrmediate 
benefit  from  the  road,  were  applied  for  its  construction.  The 
road  was  completed  to  Adams,  and  was  long  known  as  the  Salt 
Point  Road,  or  State  Road. 

On  the  17th  of  April,  1816,  a  State  Ro<.d  was  directed  to  be 
laid  out  by  Robert  Mc  I)owell,Eben  Lucas,  and  Abel  Cole,  from 
Lowville  to  Henderson  Harbor,  which  was  surveyed,  but  the 
whole  of  it  was  not  opened.    It  was  principally  designed  to  be- 


State  Roads. 


319 


nefit  lands  in  Pinckney  and  the  other  thinly  settled  townships, 
but  never  became  of  public  importance.  It  was  to  be  opened 
with  moneys  derive;!  from  taxes  on  adjacent  lands. 

A  road  from  French  Creek  to  Watertown  was,  by  an  act  of 
April  1,  1824,  directed  to  be  made  under  the  direction  of  Amos 
Stebbins,  Azariah  Doane  and  Henry  H.  Coffeen.  It  was  to  be 
opened  and  worked  as  a  public  road  in  the  towns  through  which 
it  passed,  it  being  expected  that  the  commissioners)  would  secure 
its  location  in  such  a  manner  as  to  secure  the  public  interests 
only. 

An  act  of  April  18,  1828,  provided  for  improving  the  public 
road  between  Canton  and  Antwerp  by  a  tax  on  lands  to  be  bene- 
fited. 

By  an  act  of  April  19,  1834,  Loren  Bailey,  Azariah  Walton, 
and  Eldridge  G.  Merrick  were  appointed  to  lay  out  a  road  along 
the  St.  Lawrence,  from  near  the  line  of  Lyme  and  Clayton  ^o 
Chippewa  Bay,  in  Hammond.  The  cost,  not  exceeding  $100 
per  mile,  was  to  be  taxed  to  adjacent  lands;  and  in  1836,  1838, 
and  1839  the  act  was  amended  and  extended. 

A  State  Road  from  Carthage  to  Lake  Champlain  was,  by  an 
act  of  April  4,  1841,  authorized  to  be  laid  out  by  Nelson  J. 
Beach  of  Lewis  County,  David  Judd  of  Essex,  and  Nathan  In- 
gerson  of  Jefferson  Counties.  The  act  was  amended  April  18, 
1843,  April  30,  1844,  and  April  15, 1847,  and  the  road  has  been 
surveyed  and  opened  the  whole  distance.  Much  of  it  lays 
through  an  uninhabited  forest. 

The  enterprise  of  individual  proprietors  led,  at  an  early  day, 
to  the  opening  of  extended  lines  of  roads,  among  which  was  the 
Morgs  and  Hammond  Road,  the  Alexandria  Road,  &c.  The 
tour  of  President  Monroe  in  1817  probably  led  to  the  project  of 
uniting  the  two  prominent  military  stations  of  Plattsburgh  and 
Sackets  Harbor  by  a  military  road,  which  was  soon  after  be- 
gun. A  report  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  then  Secretary  of  War, 
dated  January  7,  1819,  mentions  this  among  other  national 
works  then  in  progress.  The  labor  was  done  by  relief  parties  of 
soldiers  from  these  garrisons,  who  received  an  extra  allowance  of 
fifteen  cents,  and  a  gill  of  whiskey  daily.  The  western  extremity 
ty,  from  Sackets  Harbor,  through  Brownville,  Pamelia  Four 
Corners,  and  Redwood  to  Hammond,  and  from  Plattsburgh  to 
the  east  line  of  Franklin  County,  only  were  completed.  The 
care  of  the  general  government  ended  with  the  opening  of  these 
roads,  and  the  portion  in  this  county  has  been  maintained  as  a 
town  road. 

Turnpikes. — ^The  Oneida  and  Jefferson  Turnpike  Company 
was  incorporated  April  8,  1808,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a 
road,  by  the  most  eligible  route,  from  the  house  of  James  Trycn,  in 


^^i 


320 


Turnpikes. 


Rome,  by  way  of  David  Butler's,  in  Redfield,  and  the  south  branch 
of  Sandy  Creek,  in  Malta  (Lorraine)  and  thence  to  Putnam's  Ferry, 
(two  miles  below  Cape  Vincent),  on  the  St.  Lawrence.  The 
persons  named  in  the  act  were  Nathan  Sage,  Peter  Colt,  Augus- 
tus Sacket,  Jacob  Brown,  David  Smith,  and  Eliphalet  Edmonds. 
Capital,  4700  shares  of  $25  each.  A  company  with  the  same 
name,  and  a  capital  of  $20,000,  was  chartered  May  3, 1834,  and 
amended  April  13,  1835,  but  never  got  into  efficient  operation. 
The  commissioners  named  w^ere  Elisha  Camp,  Thomas  C.  Chitten- 
den, Clark  Allen,  Ira  Seymour,  Nelson  Darley,  and  Alanson 
Bennet. 

The  St.  Lawrence  Turnpike  Company,  formed  April  5, 18 10,  of 
twenty-nine  leading  land  holders  of  northern  New  York,  headed 
by  J.  Le  Ray,  built,  in  1812-13,  a  turnpike  from  a  point  5^  miles 
north  of  Carthage  to  Bangor,  Franklin  County.  They  were  in 
18>13  released  from  completing  the  termination  which  had  origi- 
nally been  intended  to  be  the  Long  Falls  and  Malone.  The  road 
was  opened  under  the  supervision  of  Russell  Attwater,  and  built 
from  the  proceeds  of  lands  subscribed  for  its  construction  along 
tbe  route.  During  the  war  it  was  a  source  of  great  profit,  but 
afterwards  felt  into  disuse,  and  tbe  company  were,  by  an  act  of 
April  17, 1827,  allowed  to  abandon  it  to  the  public. 

The  Ogdensburgh  Turnpike  Company,  formed  June  8,  1812, 
capital,  $50,000,  and  mainly  sustained  by  David  Parish,  soon  after 
built  a'turnpike  from  Carthage  to  Ogdensburgh  by  way  of  An- 
twerp, Rossie  and  Morristown.  This  was  also,  by  an  act  of  April 
1826,  surrendered  to  the  public.  Few  persons  better  deserve 
honorable  mention  for  their  liberality  in  contributing  to  public 
improvement,  than  David  Parish,  whose  share  of  expense  in 
opening  the  Ogdensburgh  turnpike  was  $40,000,  and  in  tne  St. 
Lawrence,  upwards  of  $10,000.  Mr.  Le  Ray  is  also  equally  de- 
serving of  remembrance  as  the  early  and  constant  benefactor  of 
these  improvements,  and  his  expenditures  on  these  were  doubt- 
less greater  than  those  of  any  other  person. 

By  an  act  passed  March  30,  1811,  the  governor  was  to  ap- 
point commissioners  to  lay  out  two  turnpikes.  One  of  these  was 
from  Lwville,  by  way  of  Munger's  Mills  (Copenha- 
and  Watertown,  to  Brownville;  the  other  from  Munger's 
Sacketts  Harbor.  The  former  of  these  was  to  be  called 
the  Black  River  and  Sackets  Harbor  Turnpike^  with  a  capital 
of  $37,500,  in  shares  of  twenty-five  dollars  each.  Daniel  Kelley, 
John  Paddock,  and  John  Brown,  with  their  associates,  were  to 
constitute  the  company.  Elisha  Camp,  Corlis  Hinds,  and  Thomas 
M.  Converse,  were  to  constitute  a  company  under  the  name  of 
the  Sacketts  Harbor  Turnpike  Company,  for  building  the  latter, 
with  a  capital  of  $20,000,  in  shares  of  twenty  dollars  each. 
Neither  of  these  roads  were  built. 


Turnpikes. 


321 


On  the  13th  of  February,  1812,  Mr.  Le  Ray  addressed  the 
following  memorial  to  the  Legislature: 

"  To  the  Honorable,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York: 

The  petition  of  James  Le  Ray,  de  Chaumont,  respectfully 
sheweth:  That  the  St.  Lawrence  Turnpike  Road,  leading  from 
the  Black  River  to  the  town  of  Malone,  in  Franklin  County,  is 
now  opened  the  whole  of  the  distance,  and  it  is  expected  will  be 
completed  in  the  course  of  this  year.  That  a  direct  road,  lead- 
ing from  the  Black  River,  opposite  the  village  of  Watertown, 
and  intersecting  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  in  the  town  of  Le  Ray, 
would,  in  the  opinion  of  your  petilioners,  greatly  promote  the 
public  convenience;  that  the  country  through  which  such  road 
would  have  to  pass,  is  in  a  great  measure  unsettled,  and  the  set- 
tlement and  improvement  of  which  would  be  much  promoted  by 
a  good  road.  Your  petitioners  would  also  beg  leave  further  to 
represent,  that  the  road  leading  from  the  village  of  Chaumo'ht 
to  the  village  of  Cape  Vincent,  on  the  river  l^t.  Lawrence,  oppo- 
site Kingston,  in  Upper  Canada,  a  distance  of  about  eleven 
miles,  passes  through  a  very  level  and  an  unsettled  tract  of  coun- 
try, and  is  at  present  much  out  of  repair,  and  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  year  so  miry  as  to  be  almost  impassable;  that  by 
reason  of  this  road  being  in  such  situation,  persons  traveling 
through  the  Black  River  country,  to  Upper  Canada,  are  obliged, 
during  the  summer  season,  to  submit  to  the  inconvenience  and 
risk  of  (uossing  Lake  Ontario — a  navigation  by  no  means  safe, 
especially  in'open  boats;  that  in  case  the  said  road  was  so  im- 
proved that  it  could  be  safely  and  conveniently  passed  by  horses 
and  carriages  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  the  public  convenience, 
as  well  as  the  settlement  and  cultivation  of  that  part  of  the 
country,  would,  in  the  opinion  of  your  petitioner,  be  greatly 
promoted. 

Your  petitioner  therefore  humbly  requests  your  honorable  body 
to  authorize  him,  by  law,  to  make  a  turnpike  road,  from,  the 
village  of  Chaumont,  in  the  town  of  Brownville,  to  the  village 
of  Cape  Vincent,  on  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  and  from  the  Black 
River,  opposite  the  village  of  Watertown,  to  intersect  the  St. 
Lawrence  Turnpike  Road,  at  or  near  where  the  same  crosses  the 
Indian  River,  in  the  town  of  Le  Ray;  upon  such  conditions,  and 
under  such  limitations  and  restrictions,  as  you,  in  your  wisdom, 
shall  think  fit  to  impose.  And  he,  as  in  duty  bounds  will  ever 
pray,  &c  James  Le  Ray  de  Chamount, 

J ,,,  J  ^.  By  his  Attorney,  V.  Le  Ray  de  Chamount." 

The  war  which  soon  ensued  diverted  attention  for  a  time  from 
this  improvement;  but,  on  the  31st  of  March,  1815,  an  act  was 


fif 


322 


Ptank  Road«. 


passed,  empowering  Le  Rav  to  build  the  Cape  Vincent  Turnpike 
from  that  place  to  Perch  River.  Elisha  Camp,  Musgrove  Evans, 
and  Robert  Mc  Dowel  were  named  commissioners  ior  locating  it 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  best  promote  the  public  interests;  the 
usual  provisions  were  made,  as  with  companies,  to  obtain  the 
right  oi'way,  and  Mr.  LeP.ay  was  not  compelled  to  build  a  bridge 
over  Chaumont  River.  On  the  12th  of  April,  1816,  he  was  allow- 
ed to  extend  the  road  to  Brownville  village.  By  an  act  of  April 
21,  1831,  this  road  was  surrendered  to  the  public,  and  with  it 
ended  the  era  of  turnpikes  in  Jefferson  County. 
<  PtANK  Roads. — Measures  were  taken  for  building  plnnk  roads 
soon  after  the  passage  of  the  general  law.  The  first  one  built 
was  from  Watertovm  to  Sacketa  Harbor ^  ten  miles  of  which  (the 
half  toward  Watertown)  was  inspected  June  13,  1848,  and  the 
remainder  10th  of  August.  The  company  had  been  formed  Au- 
gust 7,  1847.  The  tirst  plank  road  inspectors  were  appointed 
November  17,  1847,  and  were  William  Wood,  Samuel  Boyden 
and  Walter  Collins. 

During  1849-50-1,  numerous  roads  were  constructed,  which 
will  be  named  in  the  order  of  their  connection  and  locality. 
The  Lotoville  and  Carthage  Plank  Road,  one  mile  ten  rods,  in 
this  county,  inspected  August  4,  1849;  the  Carthage  and  An- 
twerp  Plank  Road,  first  four  miles  finished  September  21, 1849; 
the  whole,  sixteen  and  one-fourth  miles,  inspected  November  13, 
1849  J  survey  recorded  May  11,  1849.  The  Sterlinghush  and 
JVorth  Wilna  Plank  Road,  just  built,  and  connecting  the  last 
road  with  the  village  of  Louisburgh,  or  Sterlinghush,  in  Lewis 
County;  the  articles  of  association  dated  May  10th  1853.  The 
Gouvemeur,  Somerville  and  jlntwei'p  Plank  Road,  survey  re- 
corded August  27,  1849;  five  miles,  seventy-two  chains  and  sev- 
enty links  of  this  road  in  this  county  inspected  November  14, 
1849.  A  continuous  line  of  plank  roads  connect  this  with  Og- 
densburgh,  Canton,  and  the  depot  of  Canton  and  Madrid,  on  the 
Northern  Rail  Road.  One  mile  from  Antwerp  Village,  this  road 
connects  with  the  Hammond,  Rossie  and  Antwerp  Plank  Road, 
which  was  formed  January  23,  1850;  seven  miles  in  this 
county  inspected  October  24,  1850;  length  twenty  miles,  pass- 
ing through  Rossie  Village,  mostly  on  the  line  of  the  Ogdensburgh 
Turnpike,  and  connecting  by  plank  road  with  the  village  and  port 
of  Morristown.  Several  very  expensive  grading  and  rock  cut- 
ting occurs  on  this  road*  At  the  Village  of  Ox  Bow,  in  An- 
twerp, it  connects  with  the  Evans'  Mills  and  Ox  Bow  Plank 
Road,  17  miles  long;  recorded  February  27, 1852;  completed  in 
June,  1852.  The  Pamelia  and  Evan's  Mills  Plank  Road  con- 
tinues this  route  to  Watertown,  nine  and  three-fourths  miles  long; 
completed  June  15,  1850.    Antwerp  is  connected  with  Water- 


Plank  Roads. 


323 


town  by  the  following  roaiis:  The  Antwerp,  Sterlingville  and 
Great  Bend  Plank  Road,  formed  December  6,  1848,|twelve  and 
three-eighths  miles  long,  completc<l  August  27,  1849;  the  TFa- 
tertoton  and  Great  Bend  Plank  Road,  ten  miles  completed  late 
in   1849. 

This  passes  through  the  villages  of  Black  River  and  Felts'  Mills. 
At  the  village  of  Great  Bend,  this  and  the  former  road  connect  with 
the  Great  Bend  and  Copenhagen  Plank  Road,  of  which  nine  miles 
are  in  the  county;  completed  November  31, 1849.  This  road  passes 
through  Champion  Village,  and  has  an  expensive  grade  near 
Pleasant  Lake,  in  flat  town.  It  connects  with  the  Rutland  and 
ChampionPlank  Road,  7miles  7 1  chains  long  which  is  laid  on  the 
former  main  road  between  Copenhagen  to  Watertown,  totheline 
of  the  latter  near  the  "  Big  Hill,"  three  and  one-half  miles  from 
Watertown  Village,  completed  August  30, 1849.  By  the  Water- 
tovm  Plank  and  Turnpike  Road,  thi«  line  is  continued  to  Water- 
town  Village.  This  road,  three  and  one-half  miles  long,  was 
completed  September  11,  1849.  The  Watertoum  Central  Rail 
Road,  two  miles  long,  completed  August  11,  1849,  was  at  first 
designed  to  connect  with  other  roads,  forming  a  line  of  plank 
roads  to  Syracuse,  but  the  completion  of  the  railroad  has  inde- 
finitely postponed  this  plan.  The  Mams  and  Ellisburgh  Plank 
Road,  through  these  towns,  was  recorded  February  14,  1849, 
and  10  miles  239  rods,  inspected  June  17,  1849.  It  is  continuous 
of  roads  to  Syracuse,  Oswego,  &c. 

The  Dexter,  Brovmville,  and  Pamelia  Plank  Road,  5  miles  12 
chains  long,  connects  Pamelia  Village,  opposite  Watertown 
Village,  with  Dexter.  It  was  recorded  May  6, 1849,  and  finished 
October  6,  1850.  It  is  continued  by  the  Dexter  and  Limerick 
Plank  Road,  tq  the  town  line  of  Lyme,  towards  Cape  Vincent. 
Surveyed  JFlay  2,  1849,  and  completed  thus  far  in  May,  1850.  It 
also  connects  with  the  Dexter  and  Hmndsfield  Plank  Road,  3 
miles,  26  chains,  94  links  long,  which  runs  from  Dexter  to  the 
Watertown  and  Sackcts  Harbor  Road,  near  the  latter  place.  It 
was  inspected  through,  August  13,  1849. 

A  line  of  roads  from  Alexandria  Bay  to  Watertown,  was  pro- 
jecter^  and  mostly  finished,  consisting  of  the  Theresa  and  Alex- 
andria Bay  Plank  Road,  12  miles  long;  completed  December  6, 
1849,  and  the  Theresa  Plank  Road,  towards  Evans'  Mills,  of 
which  about  4  miles  were  completed  July  6, 1852.  The  Theresa 
and  Clayton  Plank  Road  ( 16  miles  56  chains  60  links)  between 
these  places,  was  recorded  May  21,  1849,  and  completed  June 
25, 1860.    This  road  passes  through  La  Fargeville. 

The  completion  of  these  roads  has  contributed  much  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  country,  although  some  of  them  have  not  met 
the  expectations  of  those  who  invested  money  iu  them.    The 


.,! 


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324 


Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


rail  roads  finished  and  in  proq;res8  will  so  entirely  supersede  the 
use  of  several  that  they  will  never  be  rebuilt.  As  a  general  ave- 
rage they  have  cost  about  $1,000  per  mile,  and  the  companieit 
have  been  formed  in  the  localities  directly  interested  in  their 
construction.  The  mal<;n<il  has  generally  been  hemlock  plank, 
8  feet  long,  and  3  inches  t  lick,  usually  made  along  the  lines  of 
former  roads,  with  improved  routes  in  certain  points,  and  often 
with  costly  and  permanent  grades  auu  excavations.  The  enter- 
prise of  our  citizens  appears  lO  have  been  diverted  from  this 
branch  of  improvement  to  other  more  direct  and  easy  means  of 
access  to  the  markets.  Within  three  years,  about  170  miles  of 
plank  roads  were  built  in  the  county. 

Rail  Roads. — The  people  of  Jefferson  County  early  caught 
the  spirit  of  improvement,  of  late  years  so  strikingly  evinced  in 
the  construction  of  railroads;  and  that  from  Albany  to  Schenec- 
tady, the  first  one  in  the  country,  had  hardly  got  into  successful 
operation,  when  the  project  of  gaining  an  access  to  market  by 
this  means  was  brought  up  for  discussion;  and  on  the  17th  cf 
April,  1832,  an  act  was  passed  incorporating  the  Watertown 
and  Rome  Rail  Road,  which  act  was  never  allowed  to  expire,  but 
was  revived  repeatedly  by  the  Itgislature,  and  after  years  of  pa- 
tient and  persevering  effort,  this  truly  beneficial  road  was  opened. 
The  company  was  clothed  with  powers  to  build  a  road  from 
Rome  to  Watertown,  and  thence  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  or  Lake 
Ontario,  or  both,  with  a  Capital  of  $  1 ,000,000,  in  shares  of  $100. 
Work  was  to  commence  within  three,  and  end  within  five  years. 
The  commissioners  named  in  the  act  were  Henry  H.  Coffeen, 
Edn^jind  Kirby,  Orville  Hungerford  and  William  Smith,  of  Jef- 
ferson County;  Jesse  Armstrong,  Alvah  Sheldon,  Aitemas  Trow- 
bridge and  Seth  D.  Roberts,  of  Oneida;  and  Hiram  Hubbell, 
Benjamin  H.  Wright,  Caleb  Carr  and  Elisha  Hart,  of  Oswego, 
who  were  to  receive  stock  and  appoint  a  meeting  for  the  choice 
of  thirteen  directors.  On  the  10th  of  May,  1836,  this  act  was 
revived,  and  its  duration  extended  the  original  term;  a  new  com- 
mission named,  which,  with  the  addition  of  George  C.  Sherman, 
was,  for  JefiTerson  County,  the  same  as  before,  and  a  clause  in- 
serted, requiring  $25,000  to  be  expended  within  two  years,  and 
the  work  to  be  finished  in  four  years.  The  provisions  of  the 
Attica  and  Buffalo  Rail  Road  charter  were  made  applicable  to 
this.  On  the  6th  of  May,  1837,  the  charter  was  revived  and 
amended,  by  dividing  into  sections,  cf  which  the^r.;^  extended 
from  the  lake  or  river  to  Watertown;  the  second,  from  Water- 
town  to  Adams,  and  thence  to  Salmon  river,  and  the  third,  to 
Rpme.  The  company  might  organize  Ciud  commence  operations 
when  able  to  build  one  of  these  sections,  as  follows:  No.  l,on 
$76,000;  No.  2,  on  $250,000;  No.  3,  on  375,000.     The  sum  of 


fVaterlown  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


325 


$10,000  was  required  to  bo  expended  within  two  years;  withir/ 
tour  years,  one  section;  wi^iiin  six  years,  the  ^hole  road  was  to  be 
done.  Clarke  Rice,  Hermon  Cutler,  and  Alvah  Hazen  were  added 
to  the  commissioners.  On  the  17th  of  May,  1845,  the  last  two  acts 
were  extended  and  the  charter  continued  for  the  original  term; 
$25,000  were  required  to  be  spent  w  ithin  two  years,  and  the  whole 
to  be  finished  within  four  years.  On  the  28th  of  April,  1847,  the 
former  time  was  extended  one  year  and  the  latter  two  years. 
The  capital  was  extended  $500,000,  for  the  purpose  of  laying 
a  heavy  iron  rail  of  at  least  fifty-six  pounds  to  the  yard.  Hav- 
ing given  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  legislation  concerning  this  road, 
we  will  now  relate  the  progress  of  organization,  surveys  and 
construction. 

Nothing  was  attempted  towards  effecting  the  objects  for  which 
the  company  was  chartered,  till  near  the  time  when  it  would 
have  expired  by  the  limitation  of  the  act. 

A  numerous  and  respectable  meeting  of  citizens,  from  Jeffer- 
son and  Oswego  counties,  was  held  at  Pulaski,  June  27,  1836, 
and  a  committee  appointed  to  address  the  public  on  the  subject 
of  the  Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road.  The  principal  object 
of  this  addrcoS,  was  to  impress  upon  the  public  mind  the  import- 
arce  of  immediate  action  and  efHcient  exertion,  with  a  view  of 
securing  these  permanent  advantages,  both  individually  and  col- 
lectively, to  the  country.  A  belief  of  the  impracticability  of 
the  work  had  become  prevalent,  to  refute  which,  the  following 
facts  were  adduced,  which  are  instructive,  as  showing;  the  progress 
that  had  then  been  made  in  this  line  of  engineerin'^:  1st.  Upon 
the  Paterson  and  Jersey  City  Rail  Road,  sixteen  niiles  lo^g,  a 
train,  with  one  engine,  had  drawn  forty  passengers  around 
curves  of  400  feet  radius,  and  up  grades  of  forty-five  feet  to  the 
mile,  at  the  rate  of  twelve  miles  an  hour.  2d.  On  the  Camden 
and  Aihboy  Rail  Road,  the  daily  oars  carried  from  fifty  to  one 
hundred  and  fifty  passengers  froui  twelve  to  fifteen  miles  an  hour, 
up  grades  of  forty  to  fifty  feet.  3rd.  On  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Rail  Road,  an  engine,  weighing  seven  and  a  half  tons,  had 
drawn  two  cars,  each  thirty  feet  in  length,  and  containing  fifty 
passengers  each,  up  grades  of  forty-five  feet.  4th.  It  had  been 
ascertamed,  from  experiment,  that  a  Baltimore  engine,  weighing 
eight  tons,  would  draw  fifty  tons,  on  a  grade  of  fifty  feet,  at  the 
rate  of  ten  miles  an  hour.  5th.  An  elevation  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty-three  feet  per  mile  had  been  overcome  by  a  locomotive 
drawing  a  car  of  thirty-three  passengtrs. 

A  subscription  was  in  circulation  at  this  time,  to  secure  a  pre> 
liminary  survey;  a  concession  of  the  right  of  way  was  solicited-, 
and  the  public  generally  was  invoked  to  lend  aid  to  this  measure, 
so  indispensable  to  the  prosperity  of  the  country.    The  committee 


K}& 


k! }' 


326 


Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


;Arere:  William  Smith,  G.  C.  Sherman  and  I.  H.  Branson,  of 
Watertown,  J.  H.  Wells,  of  Pulaski,  and  Lemuel  Freeman, 
of  Williamstown,  who  employed  Mr.  William  Dewey  to  make 
a  survey  from  Watertown  to  Rome,  which  was  done,  with 
the  aid  of  Robert  F.  Livingston  and  James  Roberts,  and  the 
results  reported  in  September,  1836.  The  distance  of  the 
line  surveyed,  which  passed  through  Pulaski,  was  seventy-six 
miles,  forty-five  chains;  the  cost,  with  the  strap  rail  then  used, 
was  estimated  at  $6,460'29  per  mile,  and  the  whole  cost, 
with  nine  turnouts,  $512,615*95.  There  was  no  estimate  made 
of  station  houses,  and  other  appendages.  On  the  22d  of  August, 
fan  informal  meeting  was  hold  at  Watertown,  to  report  the 
progress  of  the  survey,  and  raise  means  to  complete  it.  The 
press,  in  reporting  these  proceedings,  awarded  especial  and 
merited  praise  to  Mr.  William  Smith,  for  the  energetic  and  dis- 
interested manner  in  which  he  was  engaged  in  this  measure. 
The  report  of  the  engineer  was  received  at  Pulaski,  September 
22,  and  a  committor  of  three,  in  each  town,  appointed  to  solicit 
subscriptions.  The  zeal  and  ability  with  which  Mr.  Dewey 
performed  this  survey,  deserve  especial  commendation;  but  the 
project  was  destined  this  time  to  fail  in  achievement,  and  the 
crisis  in  the  money  market,  which  followed  in  the  wake  of  spec- 
ulation that  ensued,  precluding  all  idea  of  progress,  the  rail 
road  project  was  allowed  to  slumber  for  nearly  ten  years. 

At  an  early  stage  of  these  movements,  an  anxiety  was  felt  in 
the  towns  of  Brown ville  and  Lyme,  then  including  Cape  Vin- 
cent, to  secure  the  continuation  of  the  road,  and  on  the  13th  of 
May,  1836,  an  act  was  passed,  incorporating  the  WcUertown 
and  Cape  Vincent  Rail  Road,  with  a  capital  of  $50,000,  and 
the  following  commissioners  were  named  to  receive  stock,  and 
organize  the  company:  Jerre  Carrier,  Henry  Ains\^orth,  Roswell 
T.  Lee,  Samuel  Lockwood,  Edmund  Kirby^  George  C.  Sherman, 
Isaac  H.  Bronson,  and  John  Williams;  who,  in  the  fall  of  the 
same  year,  also  employed  Mr.  William  Dewey  to  survey  the 
line.  This  was  accomplished  with  the  aid  of  Robert  F.  Living- 
ston and  L.  N.  Bow^lsby,  and  estimated  as  feasible  at  $65,429*29 
for  grading,  by  the  cheapest  route,  and  the  total  cost  of  grading 
and  superstructure  was  placed  at  $145,965*88.  Grades  were 
found,  not  exceeding  thirtyrthree  feet  per  mile,  and  the  distance 
surveyed,  twenty-five  miles  and  nineteen  chains.  Stock  to  the 
amount  of  the  capital  was  nominally  subscribed,  mostly  in  the 
localities  to  be  directly  benefited,  but  nothing  further  was  done, 
and  this  project,  as  distinct  from  the  former,  was  allowed  to 
expire. 

In  1836,  a  charter  was  granted  for  a  rail  road  in  Canada,  from 
Hamilton  to  Sandwich,  and  from  Toronto  to  Sarnia,  but  both 
charters  expired,  and  in  1845  both  were  renewed.    In  Septem- 


Watertoum  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


m 


ber,  1845,  Sir  Allen  McNab,  procured,  in  London,  subscriptions 
to  the  former,  of  $5,500,000,  of  which  $750,000  were  paid 
down.  This  was  the  beginning  of  that  system  of  Canadian 
rail  ronds,  which  may  be  said  to  form  a  connecting  link  with 
this,  by  lines  of  steamers,  and  to  constitute  a  part  of  the  same  ' 
system. 

In  the  spring  of  1844,  at  a  time  when  the  attention  of  the  pub- 
lic was  not  directed  to  this  object,  and  it  bad  apparently  been 
forgotten,  Mr.  Dewey,  who  had  taken  nn  active  part  in  the  form 
er  surveys,  began  writing  articles  tor  the  Black  River  Journal 
as  communications  or  editorials,  and  in  some  cases  by  quoting 
from  exchange  papers,  extracts  elucidating  the   advantages  of 
railroads,  he  endeavored  to  revive  the  public  interest  in  this  mea- 
sure.    In  July,  1844,  two  thousand  copies  of  a  pamphlet  entitled, 
"  Suggestions  urging  the  construction  of  a  Kail  Road  from  Rome 
to  Watertown,"  were  printed  and  distributed  by  him.*    The  sub- 
ject gradually  became  the  topic  of  conversation,  and  early  in 
1845  a  meeting  was  held  at  Cape  Vincent,  which,  on  the   1st 
of  May,  was  followed  by  one  at  Mechanics'  Hall  in  Watertown, 
upon  a  call  of  eighty-six  citizens,  at  which  a  committee  of  cor- 
respoiv  ience  was  chosen,  and  the  delegation  from  the  county  in 
the  Legislature  were  instructed  to  use  their  influence  in  securing 
a  renewal  of  the  charter.'    Meetings  were  soon  after  held  at 
other  places,  which  passed  strong  resolutions,  and  numerous  com- 
mittees were  appointed  to  excite  public 'attention  to  the  object. 
On  the  2d  of  August  a  meeting  was  held  at  Rome,  and  at  Water- 
town  on  the  29th;  a  large  assemblage  from  Oswego,  Jefferson 
and  Oneida  Counties  met  at  the  Agricultural  Hall  and  passed 
strong  resolutions  in  favor  of  immediate  action  towards  the  con- 
struction of  the  road.    On  the  19th  of  September,  pursuant  to  a 
call  signed  by  two  hundred  influential  citizens  of  Kingston,  a 
meeting  was  held  in  that  city,  at  which  the  Mayor,  Thomas  H. 
Robinson,  presided.    The  proposed  railroad  to  R'^me  met  with 
the  cordial  approbation  of  the  meeting,  and  u  proposition  was 
entertained  lor  procuring  a  charter  for  the  Wolf  Island,  Kings- 
ton and  Toronto  Rail  Road  to  form  with  one  from  the  latter  place  to 
Sandwich   a  continuous  line  to  Detroit.    The  subscriptions  to 
stock  having  amounted  to  $925,000,  and  as  the  charter  of  the 
road  would  expire  in  May  following,  the  commissioners  issued  a 
circular  December  26th,  1846,  calling  upon  stock  holders  for 
authority  to  transfer  their  subscriptions  to  sections  Nos.  1,  3,  2, 
from  Cape  Vincent  to  Salmon  River,  not  with  a  view  of  con- 
structing these  first,  but  to  enable  the  company  to  organize  and 
choose  directors,  by  whom  the  affairs  of  the  road  could  be  more 
effectually  managed.    No  intention  was  expressed  of  commencing 
work  on  the  road  until  enough  was  secured  to  complete  it. 

•See  not*  in  the  appendis,  •  ' 


.2:1 


ti> 


328  ^ 


7Vatertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


'  On  the  10th  of  February,  1847,  a  numerous  and  enthusiastic 
rail  roud  meeting  (having  been  several  times  adjourned^  met  at 
the  Universalist  church,  Watertnwn.  The  Hon.  VVilliara  C. 
Pierrepont  presided,  O.  V.  Brainard,  S  Buckley,  Jerre  Carrier  and 
John  Whipple,  were  chosen  vice  presidents;  John  A.  Sherinai, 
J.  H.  Fisk,  J.  N.  Rottiers,  and  John  Binsse,  secretaries.  Spirit- 
ed addresses  were  made,  and  a  series  of  forcible  resolutions  passed 
in  favor  of  the  speedy  commencement  of  the  work. 

In  March,  1847,  it  was  announced  that  a  sufficient  amount  of 
stock  had  been  taken,  or  transferred,  to  build  section,  one  and 
two,  and  on  the  6th  of  April  the  stockholders  completed  their 
organization  by  electing  the  following  persons  directors,  viz: 
S.  JV.  Dexter,  Charles  liiccy  William  C.  Pierrepont,  Robert  B. 
Doxtater,  John  11.  Whipple,  Orville  Hiingerford,  J\Wris  M. 
Woodruff',  William  Smith,  S.  Buckley,  Edmund  Kirby,  Jerre 
Carrier,  Theophilus  Peugnet,  and  Clarice  Rice. 

Orville  Hungerford  was  chosen  president ;  Clarke  Rice,  ^ecre- 
tary,  and  Orville  V.  Brainard  treasurer. 

Immediately  after  their  election,  the  directors  proceeded  to 
obtain  a  renewal  of  the  charter,  with  leave  to  increase  tlteir  cap* 
ital  for  the  purpose  of  laying  a  heavier  rail  than  was  originally 
intended.  A  committee  was  sent  to  Boston  and  New  York  to 
solicit  stock,  but  mostly  without  success,  and  a  new  effort  was 
made  at  home.  The  proposed  advantages  of  the  road  to  the 
country  were  eloquently^ set  forth  in  a  circular,  by  thedirectors,  da- 
ted August  20,  1847;  and  an  urgent  appeal  made  to  the  public 
for  aid.  The  sum  of  $150,000  was  at  this  time  needed.  A  suf- 
ficient sum  having  been  subscribed  to  save  the  charter,  a  meet- 
ing of  the  stock  holders  was  held  at  th«  Court  House,  on  the  21st 
of  March,  1848.  After  several  addresses  by  those  who  had  been 
actively  engaged  in  prosecuting  the  work,  among  whom  were 
0.  Hungerford,  Clarke  Rice,  William  Smith,  William  Dewey,  L. 
J.  Goodale  and  others.  Mr.  Lord,  from  the  committee  on  reso- 
lutions, repf^'-ted  as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  subscriptions  for  stock  in  the  Watertown,  Rome 
and  Cape  Vincent  Rail  Road  have  been  obtained,  sufficient  in 
amount  to  authorize  the  organization  of  the  entire  line,  thus  dis- 
pensing with  the  division  into  sections;  and  whereas,  the  stock- 
holders consider  this  coiitemplated  improvement  of  vital  import- 
ance to  the  northern  section  of  the  state,  through  which  it  will 
pass,  and  that  the  business  from  the  country,  from  the  lakes  and 
from  Canada,  which  will  be  drawn  to  it,  must  render  the  stock 
valuable;  therefore: 

Resdved,  That  the  entire  line  of  the  road,  from  Rome  to  Cape 
Vince  it,  be  considered  one  and  indivisible,  and  that  the  faith  of 
this  company  is  pledged  to  use  all  lawful  and  proper  means  for 


fVatertoum  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


329 


its  speedy  completion,  and  that  the  directors  be,  and  they  are 
hereby  requested  to  pass  a  resolution,  fixing  the  northern  termi- 
nus of  the  rond  at  Cape  Vincent,  and  enter  the  same  in  the 
books  oi  the  company. 

Resolved,  ThHt  the  directors  proceed  without  delay  to  the 
speedy  construction  of  s»id  road,  as  indicated  by  the  charter,  from 
Home  to  Cape  Vincent. 

Hesolvedy  That  we,  will  sustain  said  directors,  in  prosecuting 
such  project,  to  our  utmost  liabilities,  and  with  all  our  influence, 
and  that  we  will  exert  every  effort  in  our  power  to  aid  them  in 
procurinnr  the  balance  of  means  requisite  to  the  full  accomplish- 
uient  of  said  object. 

Resolved,  That  in  commencing  a  work  of  such  magnitude,  in 
anticipation  of  the  great  benelits  which  must  result  to  our  agri- 
cultural, manufacturing  and  other  interests,  we  should  not  hesi- 
tate nor  permit  seeming  difHculties  to  retard  our  progress,  but 
PERSEVERE,  Until  all  obstacles  are  overcome  and  the  road  com- 
pleted." 
These  resolutions  were  enthusiastically  passed. 
On  the  of  24th  April,  1848,  the  directors  employed  Isaac  W. 
Crane,  of  Troy,  a  civil  engineer,  to  re-survey  the  route,  who,  the 
same  day,  organized  three  parties,  under  the  charge  of  Charles 
F.  Smith,  Octave  Blanc  and  Henry  Van  VIect,  and  about  the 
middle  of  July  the  field  work  of  the  survey  was  completed.  The 
summit  was  found  to  be  onlv  190  feet  alcove  Rome,  the  heavust 
grades  towards  the  sno'li  b<  mg  thirty,  and  towards  the  north 
thirty-five  feet  per  .,iie.  The  estimated  cost  of  superstructure 
was  $6,062.40  p^r  mile,  and  the  total  of  grading,  bridging  and 
fencing,  $442,940.(»J.  The  entire  cost  of  the  road,  including 
engines,  cars,  depots,  land,  damages,  &c.,  was  estimated  at 
$1,260,620. 

The  viewing  committee  of  the  County  Agricullural  Society, 
in  their  report  of  September,  1848,  say  of  the  vast  importance  of 
this  road: — 

"The  farming  and  other  interests  are  at  this  time  making 
vigorous  efforts  to  raise  funds  to  construct  a  rail  road  from  Cape 
Vincent  to  Rome.  We  are  fully  satisfied  of  its  practicability, 
and  feel  safe  in  saying,  that  now  is  the  time  to  put  forth  united 
efforts  for  securing  this  all-important  object.  We  are  too  apt  tO' 
act  as  though  our  influence  was  of  no  account  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  great  public  improvements.  Is  it  estimated  that 
there  are  720,000  acres  in  the  county  of  JefTerson.  It  is  not  a 
low  estimate  to  make  the  benefits  of  the  road,  if  it  were  construct- 
ed, to  reckon  the  increased  value  of  the  products  of  the  soil  for 
the  first  five  years  at  $1  per  acre?  Is  it  too  much  to  calculate 
that  by  the  first  five  years  operation  of  the  road,  the  value  of  the 


\i¥\ 


•   s 


330  i 


■^. 


PFatertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


fv 


u\ 


soil  will  be  increased  $1  per  acre?  Now  add  the  increased  value 
of  the  first  five  years  products  of  the  soil  ($720,000),  to 
the  increased  value  of  the  soil  (720,000),  and  we  have 
$1,440,000,  an  amount  sufficient  to  construct  the  entire 
road.  But  it  is  thought,  by  those  competent  to  judge,  that  if 
$500,000  were  subscribed  in  this  county,  the  remainder  could  be 
easily  obtained  in  the  cities.  Farmers  of  Jefferson !  can  we  long 
slumber  when  such  high  interests  are  at  stake,  and  neglect  to 
come  forth  with  united  strength  and  reap  the  golden  harvest  that 
already  waves  in  the  breeze!  Already  a  favorable  charter  is 
secured;  capable  and  faithful  officers  are  elected;  over  $300,000 
of  the  stock  is  taken  in  the  county.  All  we  now  lack  is  at  once 
to  take  an  amount  of  stock  equal  to  the  direct  and  immediate 
benefit  we  shall  receive,  and  its  speedy  construction  is  rendered 
certain." 

In  November,  1848,  work  was  commenced  at  Rome,  and  soon 
after  at  other  important  points,  and  the  road  was  so  far  completed, 
as  to  allow  the  passage  of  trains  to  Camden,  in  the  fall  of  1849. 
On  the  10th  of  April,  1851,  the  Hon.  Wm.  C.  Pierrepont,  was 
chosen  president,  in  place  of  Orville  Hungerford,  deceased,  and 
on  the  same  day  a  resolution  was  passed  for  extending  a  branch 
of  the  road,  from  the  located  line  up  the  river  bank,  into  the 
village  of  Watertown. 

On  the  28th  of  May,  1851,  the  road  was  completed  to  Pierre- 
pont Manor,  and  a  large  party  from  Watertown,  Rome,  and  other 
sections,  assembled  to  telebrate  the  era  of  the  entrance  of  the 
first  rail  road  train  into  Jefferson  County.  The  occasion  passed 
off  much  to  the  enjoyment  of  all  parties,  which  was  greatly  en- 
hanced by  the  elegant  hospitality  of  Mr.  Pierrepont,  the  president. 

The  first  engine  reached  Watertown,  September  5,  at  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  night,  and  on  the  24th  of  the  same  month,  its 
completion  to  that  place  was  again  celebrated  with  festivities, 
which,  in  their  profusion,  evinced  the  cordiality  with  which 
the  citizens  of  that  thriving  village,  welcomed  the  completion  of 
this  long  desired  improvement.  On  the  20th  of  November  it  was 
finished  to  Chaumont,  and  in  April,  1852,  to  Cape  Vincent;  the 
cars  commencing  regular  trips  on  the  first  of  May. 

The  contract  for  building  the  road,  was  taken  by  Phelps,  Matoon 
and  Barnes,  of  Springfield,  Massachusetts.  The  rails  are  from  the 
manufactory  of  Guest  &  Co.,  Wales,  and  not  a  single  ba»  has 
broken,  since  the  road  has  been  in  operation. 

The  company,  to  obtain  the  means  of  completing  the  road,  has 
issued  three  classes  of  bonds,  the  first  on  the  1st  of  July,  1850, 
for  $400,000,  payable  from  1858  to  1868,  at  the  rate  of  $40,000 
a  year;  the  second,  July  1.  1851,  of  $250,000,  one  half  of  which 
has  been  converted  into  stock;  and  the  third,  of  $200,000,  which 

was  SQAti  nfVor  cnnVArfpil  intrt  sfnr.lr. 


Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road, 


831 


The  following  statistical  table  gives  the  principal  data  con- 
cerning this  road.  It  is  derived  from  the  official  map,  deposited 
in  the  state-engineer's  office. 


Length  in  miles.        | 

Total 
Acres. 

Length  in  miles  of  grades. 

Town*. 

Main 
track. 

Straight 
Line. 

Curved 
Line. 

Level. 

Ascent 
South. 

Descent 
South. 

Cape  Vincent. 

5.9826 

5.2224 

.7602 

65.856 

.9585 

3.1582 

1.8650 

Lyme, 

7.2674 

7.2138 

.0536 

68.205 

1 .9928 

2.3356 

2.9300 

Brownville,. . . 

8.6799 

7.4589 

1.2210 

77.473 

2.0114 

4.5242 

2.1443 

Pamelia, 

1.7879 

1 .0248 

.763, 

26.120 

.7218 

.8765 

.1896 

Watertown,... 

6.8843 

5.2210 

1.6633 

84.590 

1.8875 

4.2754 

.7214 

Adams, 

7.1212 

5.0422 

2.079 

83.890! 

1.1811 

4.5329 

1.4073 

Elhsburgh, . . . 

9.4391 

8.2610 

1.1981 

87.240 

1.0991 

3.5837 

4.7763 

Sandy  Creek,.. 

5.2793 

4.6973 

.5820 

45.I60! 

1.2905 

.7538 

3.5360 

Richland,  .... 

2.S818 

2.3773 

.2045 

25.490 

.0922 

1.4292 

1 .0604 

Albion, 

7.5227 

5.1516 

2.3712 

77.010: 

I. 0112 

3.8688 

2.C427 

Williamstown, 

7.6720 

5.0993 

2.5727 

75.816| 

.1360 

2.8831 

4.G529 

Amboy, 

.4839 

.2112 

.2727 

4.893 

.4839 

Camden, 

11.1428 

7.8447 

3.2981 

06.120 

2.7678 

i.6706 

6.7044 

AnnsvilUe,    . . 

5.3244 

3.5449 

1.7795 

65.566 

1.0252 

1.6010 

2.6982 

Rome, 

8.5360 

7.082L' 
75.4525 

1.4538 
20.2728 

100.965 

3.4259 

2.7974 

2.3127 

Total 

95.7253 

i  1188.997- 

19.6012 

38.2904 

37.8339 

Elevations  above  tide. — Rome,  442  feet;  Annsville,  430*24; 
Fish  Creek  (bridge),  Taberg  Station,  4 16'44;  McConnelsville, 
482j  Camden,  523-5;  West  Camden.  538 ;*  Will iamstown,  682-86; 
Kassoag,625  36;  Sand  Banks,  5S0;  Pineville,546;  Centreville, 
552-2;  Richland  Depot,  524-3;  Sandy  Creek,  556-9;  Pierrepont 
Manor,  587-8;  Adams,  596;  Centre,  600;  Watertown,  409*8; 
Black  River,  Bridge,  401;  Brownville,  327-5;  Limerick,  322*3; 
Chaumont,  289-2;  Chaumont  Bridge,  269;  Three  Mile  Bay, 
306-3;  St.  Lawrence  River,  at  Cape  Vincent,  250  feet.  The  lat- 
ter is  derived  from  the  survey  ot  the  engineer  of  the  road,  and 
diSers  from  other  measurements,  several  feet.  Upon  Burr's  State 
Map,  the  elevation  of  Lake  Ontario,  above  tide,  is  staled  to  be 
234  feet,  while  the  recent  Canadian  rail  road  surveys  make 
238J  feet. 

In  connection  with  this  road,  and  in  a  measure  forming 
a  part  of  it,  is  the  project,  now  nearly  completed,  of  con- 
structing a  canal  across  a  narrow  part  of  Wolf,  or  Long  Island, 
between  two  bays  that  form  deep  indentations  upon  its  opposite 
sides,  and  which  will  afford  a  communication,  nearly  direct,  be- 
tween Cape  Vincent  and  Kingston,  by  which  canal  boats  and 
small  craft  from  the  Rideau  Canal,  and  Bay  of  Quinte,  can  pass 
at  all  times  when  the  navigation  is  open,  without  encountering 
the  risks  of  weathering  the  exposed  points  at  the  head  of  the 
22  " 


332 


fVatfrtoum  and  Rome  Rati  Road. 


island,  which,  from  heing  opposite  to  the  open  lake,  are  liable  to 
accident  in  rough  weather.  The  contract  was  let  for  j£  14,000, 
to  Joseph  Millner,  and  the  stock  is  said  to  be  principally  owned 
in  Kingston. 

In  our  account  of  Cape  Vincent,  page  1 15,  we  noticed  the  extent 
and  number  of  warehouses,  &c.,  appertaining  to  this  road.  There 
are  also  depots,  built  in  a  substantial  manner,  at  Three  Mile  Bay, 
Chaumont,  Limerick,  Brownville,  Watertown,  Adams  Centre, 
Adams,  Pierrepont  Manor,  and  Mannsville,  in  Jefferson  County; 
Sandy  Creek,  Richland,  Sand  Banks,  Kassoag,  and  Williams- 
town,  in  Oswego  County;  and  West  Camden,  Camden,  McCon- 
nelsvilie,  laberg,  and  Rome,  in  Oneida  County.  Those  at  the 
two  extremities  of  the  road,  and  at  Watertown,  are  of  ample 
size;  and  additions  are,  from  time  to  time,  made  to  the  others,  as 
the  wants  of  the  road  require.  At  Pierrepont  Manor,  an  exten- 
sive eating  house  has  been  fitted  up,  affording  the  usual  refresh- 
ments served  at  restaurants,  except  spirituous  liquors.  Over  a  mile 
.of  depot  ground  has  been  secured  on  the  Erie  Canal,  at  Rome, 
for  lumber  yards  and  other  purposes.  Since  the  road  was  Hrst 
completed,  in  May,  1852,  trains  have  been  run  daily  (Sundays 
excepted)  with  great  precision,  and  hitherto  without  accident 
resulting  in  loss  or  injury  to  the  person  of  a  single  passenger. 
The  directors  of  the  road,  in  their  report  of  1852,  mainly  attrib- 
ute this  regularity,  and  exemption  from  accident,  to  the  energy 
and  ability  of  J.  L.  Grant,  assistant  superintendent,  and  master 
mechanic;  to  which  may  b&  added,  that  the  arrangements 
adopted  by  the  late  Robert  B.  Doxtater,  the  first  superintendent, 
which  have  been  ably  continued  by  Mr.  J.  Collamer,  his  succes- 
sor, have  done  much  to  secure  these  results.  The  engineers, 
conductors,  and  others  in  the  employ  of  the  corbpany,  have  evinced 
a  care  and  interest,  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  that  entitle 
them  to  especial  commendation. 

It  would  be  a  delicate  and  invidious  task,  to  particularize 
those  who  have  evinced  an  early  and  abiding  interest  in  the  suq- 
cess  of  this  improvement.  Many  we  have  mentioned  in  connec- 
tion with  the  above  account,  some  of  whom  pledged  large 
subscriptions,  when  the  profits  of  the  investment  were  uncertain, 
and  others,  without  the  means  of  aiding,  pecuniarily,  were  not 
the  less  serviceable  by  the  zeal  wi^h  which  they  labored  to  excite 
and  maintain  that  interest  in  the  improvement,  so  essential  to 
its  ultimate  success.  The  result  has  justified  the  most  sanguine 
anticipation  of  its  friends,  and  added  immensely  to  the  wealth 
of  the  country  through  which  it  passes.  Few  roads  in  the 
country,  of  the  extent  and  cost  of  this,  will  compare  with  it 
in  the  value  of  its  stock,  or  the  success  which  has  attended  its 
operations.  .      '  * 


.•^. 


Watertoum  and  Rome  Rail  Road. 


833 


The  following  are  the  stsitistical  returns  of  this  road  for  the 
year  1852  and  1853,  ending  September  30.  Of  the  former  year 
but  four  months  are  embraced: 


Capital  stock,  ns  by  charter, 

Amount  of  stock  subscribed  and  paid,  September  30, 

Amount  of  funded  debt,  .  .  . 

Amount  of  floating  debt,       .  ... 

Cost  of  grading  and  masonry  to  Sept4^     -•*  30, 1853, 

Bridges,         «...  .  . 

Superstructure,  including  iron,       .  .  , 

Passenger  and  freight  stations,  &c.,    . 

Engine  and  car  houses,  shops  and  fixtures, 

Land,  land  damages  and  fences, 

Locomotives  and  fixtures,  and  snow  plows, 

Passenger  and  luggage  cars. 

Freight  and  other  cars,        .... 

Engineering  and  agencies,      .... 

Total  cost  of  road 

^  -^"ifth  of  road,  .  ... 

'    Vth  of  double  track,  .  . 

nVhjlit  of  rail  per  yard  on  main  track, 
i:vum'ber  of  engine  nouses  and  shops,  j 
Engines,       ..... 


.  $1,500,000 

1853,    1,346,075 

514,000 

234,518 

^01,346 

42,150 
587,249 

98,991 

41,222 
160^229 
113,528 

28,033 
192,230 

43,013 


1852. 

131,672 

51,834 

12},982 

3,940,965 

60,949 

3,604,084 


Miles  run  by  passenger  trains, 

Freight  ti^ins. 

Number  of  passengers  carried  in  carp, 

Carried  one  mile,  .  .  . 

Xonsof  freight  carried  in  cars,  .    - 

Carried  one  mile,  .  . 

Average  speed  passenger  trains,  including  stops,  per  hour, 

In  motion,  .  ,  ... 

Freight  trains  in  motfon,  .  .        . 

Average  weight  of  passenger  trains,  exclusive  of  passengen 

baggage,  in  tons, 
Average  weight  of  freight  trains,  exclusive  of  freight  in  tons, 
Product  of  the  forest  in  tons,  .  .  . 

Animals,  .... 

Vegetable  food,  .  .  .  . 

Other  agricultural  products. 
Manufactures,    ,       .  ... 

Merchandize,      ..... 
Other  articles,  .... 

Expense  of  maintaining  road,  .  $30,409 

Exposes  of  repairs  of  amchinery,  .  1 1,862 

Ezpensesof  operating  the  road,  .  .         66,181 

Receipts  from  passengers,  .  110,635 

From  freight,  ....       104,497 

From  other  sources,  .  .  .        .  8,260 

Payments  for  transportation  expenses,  .         108,446 

Interest,  .  .  .       .        23,680 

Dividends,  .  ,  .  81,513 


$1,957,992 

96mi]er 

8i 
56  lbs. 

5- 

18 

1868. 

155,251 

85,788 

172,500 

5,328,273 

107,801 

6,683,662 

22 

27 

15 

66 

200 

41,868 

11,950 

19,425 

4,142 

10,570 

12,748 

7,098 

$40,418 

244233 

.  97,157 

145,392 

179,827 

9,682 

161,808 

41,519 

127-609 


and 


«  li 


i|  V 


U    .^J 


'iii 


-I  J'. 


ZBA       Sockets  Harbor  and  EUisburgh  Rail  Road. 

In  the  summer  of  1851,  the  projectof  a  rail  road  from  Water- 
town  to  Potsdam  being  undei*  discussion,  it-was  agreed  by  the 
Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road  Company,  that  if  the  new  route 
would  be  undertaken,  they  would  construct  a  branch  from  their 
present  depot,  up  into  the  central  part  of  the  village.  The  lat- 
ter was  commenced  in  1853,  and  is  so  far  advanced  that  it  will 
be  in  use  early  next  season.  The  right  to  taking  private  property 
for  a  road  way,  as  is  enjoyed  by  new  roads,  was  confirmed  by  an 
act  of  the  session  of  1853,  and  the  requisite  permission  has  been 
granted  by  the  village  authorities.  A  depot  is  to  bc^  constructed 
adjacent  to  the  Woodruff  House,  when  this  work,  and  the  Pots- 
dam and  Watertown  roads  are  completed. 

Sockets  Harbor  and  Ellisburgh  Rail  Road. — As  early  as 
May  15,  1837,  a  company  was  chartei^ed,  styled  the  "  Trenton 
and  Sackets  Harbor  Rail  Road  Company,"  capital  $600,000, 
in  which  James  Hough,  Herman  Terry,  Luther  Guitteau,  Elisha 
Camp,  M.  K.  Stow,  Thomas  S.  Hall,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Piatt 
Williams,  Ashley  Davenport,  Chester  Buck,  Samuel  Allen,  Noah 
M.  Harger  and  Arphaxed  Loomis  were  named  commissioners  to 
receive  subscriptions  for  stock,  but  effected  nothing.  In  the  fall 
of  1848,  the  present  road  began  to  be  discussed,  with  a  view  of 
connecting  with  the  Watertown  and  Rome  Railroad,  at  Adams 
or  Piferrepont  Manor.  The  opinion  was  expressed,  that  if  the 
road  from  the  harbor  to  one  of  these  points  was  opened  by  the 
time  that  the  other  had  reached  it  from  Rome,  the  latter  would 
not  be  continued  to  Watertown  and  Cape  Vincent.  Acting 
upon  this  belief,  strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  secure  the  means 
for  prosecuting  the  work,  and  May  23,  1850,  the  organization 
was  completed,  and  Willard  Dodge,  Jesse  C.  Dann,  Samuel  T. 
Hooker,  Augustus  Ford,  Marcellus  R.  Patrick,  David  Hunter, 
C.  C.  Symonds,  Elisha  Camp,  Dyer  N.  Burnham,  Samuel  Hack- 
ley,  Green  Packer,  F.  Wooley,  and  Henry  Green,  Jr.,  were  cho- 
sen first  directors.  A  survey  had  been  made  by  Bryant  C  Tilden, 
in  1840,  and  an  act  procured  April  9,  of  that  year,  declaring  the 
work  of  sufficient  public  utility  to  warrant  the  taking  of  private 
property  for  its  construction,  and  the  company  was  empowered 
to  consolidate  with  any  road  with  which  it  connected,  on  such 
terms  as  might  be  agreed  upon.  Soon  after  the  company  was 
formed,  the  present  connection  with  the  other  road  was  decided 
upon,  and  a  contract  made  w^ith  Thomas  Stetson,  of  Boston,  to 
build  the  road  for  $150,000 — one-third  in  cash,  one-third  in 
stock,  as  the  road  progressed,  and  one-third  in  cash  when  the 
work  was  done.  The  road  was  re-surveyed  by  Calvin  Brown, 
and  work  was  begun;  but  the  contractor  failed  to  complete  his 
agreement,  and  the  work  was  let  to  Barker  and  Hoes,  who  did 
likewise.    The  company,  after  spending  .ieveral  thousand  dol- 


i' 


Pctsdam  and  fVatertown  Rail  Road. 


335 


lars  in  small  Jobs  of  grading,  subsequently  let  the  work  to  Phelps, 
Matoon  and  Barns,  of  Springfield,  the  builders  of  the  connecting 
road,  by  whom  it  has  been  completed.  By  a  resolution  of  the 
board  of  directors,  passed  August  20,  1850,  bonds,  to  the  extent 
of  $160,000,  were  directed  to  be  issued,  redeemable  in  1862, 
with  semi-annual  interest.  On  the  14th  of  November,  1850,  ten 
mil"«t  bad  been  graded,  and  on  the  18th  of  January,  1851,  but 
three  miles  of  grading  remained.  In  the  returns  to  the  state- 
engineer,  dated  December  24,  1852,  $201,319'62  are  reported 
as  expended,  and  three-fourths  of  a  mile  of  track  laid.  The 
road  was  finally  completed  with  a  heavy  rail,  ant'  opened  for  the 
.regular  passage  of  trains  on  the  1st  day  of  June,  1853.  The 
capital  of  the  company  is  $175,000.  ijength,  eighteen  miles; 
least  radius  of  curve,  1,910  fee*  highest  grade,  forty  feet  per 
mile.  Trains  pass  over.the  road  twice  daily  in  each  direction, 
in  connection  with  the  treins  going  south,  on  the  Watertown 
and  Rome  Rail  Road,  and  with  the  steamers  of  the  Ontario  and 
St.  Lawrence  Steam  Boat  Company,  both  up  and  down  Lake 
Ontario  and  the  St.  Lawrence.  An  act  passed  by  the  late  Con- 
gress, granting  for  the  rail  road  the  privilege  of  extending  a 
wharf  from  the  present  depot,  at  Sackets  Harbor  (at  the  steam 
boat  landing),  in  front  of  Madison  Barracks,  to  the  U-  S.  Hos- 
pital, that  will  afford,  when  completed,  abundant  facilities  for 
transferring  lumber  and  freight  from  vessels  to  the  cars. 

Sackets  Harbor  is  acknowledged  to  possess  the  best  harbor 
now  in  use  on  the  lake,  always  safe  and  easy  of  access,  and 
sheltered  from  storms;  and  an  inspection  of  the  map  will  show 
that^this  rail  ."oad  affords  a  communication  about  twenty-five  miles 
nearer  to  Rome  than  by  way  of  Cape  Vincent.  Smithville,  Hen^ 
derson  and  Belleville  are  stations  on  this  road.  The  project  is 
now  in  discussion  of  continuing  the  line  to  Pulaski  and  Syracuse. 
Some  knowledge  of  the  commerce  of  Sackets  Harbor,  for  a  few 
years  before  the  completion  of  this  road,  from  the  records  of  the 
Custom  House,  which  show  that  during  1846  the  exports  coast- 
wise amounted  to  $  1,106 ,986 '75,  and  abroflU  to  $75,345-80.  The 
imports  coastwise  were  $1,550,909,  and  abroad,  $1,851*67. 
The  aggregate  tonnage,  December  31,  1646,  was  4,994|f,  and 
had  increased  in  1846,  l,669f  |  tons. 

The  Potsdam  and  Watertown  Rail  Road,  now  in  course  of 
grading,  is  to  be  about  seventy-six  miles  in  length,  and  is  to  ex- 
tend from  the  Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road,  in  the  village  of 
Watertown,  through  to  Evans'  Mills,  Philadelphia,  Antwerp, 
Gouverneur,  Canton  and  Potsdam  Villages,  to  the  North- 
ern Railroad  at  North  Potsdam,  or  Raquetteville. 

The  location  of  the  Northern  Rail  Road,  from  Ogdensburgh 
to  Rouse's  Point,  gave  great  dissatisfaction  to  citizens  of  Pots- 


SiRl 


H';-:i 


m 


..\\ 


336 


Pottdam  ano    ^''atertown  Rail  Road* 


dam  and  Canton,  who  imagined  that  their  villages  had  claims 
which  had  been  entirely  neglected.  That  rail  road  was  built,  and 
has  been  controlled  by  parties  interested  in  New  England  roads, 
and  forming  a  part  of  tne  gigantic  system  of  which  Boston  has 
made  itself  a  centre,  and  the  principle  object  of  its  builders  was  to 
g^et  a  direct  route  from  Lake  Champlain  to  the  foot  of  naviga- 
tion on  the  St.  Lawrence. 

The  project  of  a  branch  to  Potsdam  was  first  discussed  not  long 
after  the  final  location  of  the  Northern  Road;  but  nothing  was 
done  until  July,  1851,  when  a  convention  of  citizens  along  the 
proposed  line  met  at  Watertowu,  at  which  a  committee  was  ap> 
pointed  to  raise  the  funds  necessary  for  a  survey,  and  Edward 
H.  Brodhead  was  employed  to  examine  and  report  the  feasibility 
and  expense  of  the  road.  This  gentleman  had  been  previously 
engaged  in  canal  surveys  for  the  state  through  the  same  section, 
and  was  well  acquainted  with  the  natural  features  of  the  country, 
and  the  route  best  adapted  for  the  road.  The  survey  was  com- 
pleted the  same  fall,  and  on  the  8th  of  January,  1862,  a  meeting 
was  held  at  Gouvcrneur  to  receive  the  report  and  decide  upon 
an  organization.  There  had  been  ibund  no  point  where  the 
depth  of  filling  would  exceed  thirty  feet,  or^of  cutting  twenty 
feet,  nor  would  the  line  in  any  place  deviate  from  a  straight 
line  more  than  three  miles.  The  grades  were  found  not  to  ex- 
ceed thirty-seven  feet,  and  with  one  exception,  the  shortest 
radius  of  curve  was  2000  feet. 

The  statistics  which  had  been  collected  by  the  committee, 
gave  tkj  following  number  of  tons,  of  freight,  which  several  of 
the  towns  on  the  route  would  afford  annually: 

Canton,  14,000;  Hermon,  2,917;  Gouverneur,  15,016;  Pots- 
dam, 54,506;  Hermon  and  Russell,  4,000;  Jefferson  County,  63,- 
058.    Making  an  aggregate  of  103,497  tons. 

A  company  was  formed  the  same  day  (January  8,  1852),  un- 
der the  general  act,  to  continue  150  years,  with  a  capital  of 
$780,000,  and  the  following  persons  were  designated  as  first  direc- 
tors, viz:  Eli  Farewen,  Orville  V.  Brainard  and  Hiram  Holcomb, 
of  Waterlown;  William  McAllaster,  of  Antwerp;  Edwin  Dodge 
and  William  E.  Sterling,  of  Gouverneur;  Orville  Page  and  Bar- 
zillai  Hodskin,  of  Canton;  Zenas  Clark,  Joseph  H.  Sanford. 
Samuel  Partridge  and  William  W.  Goulding,  of  Potsdam. 

The  record  in  the  secretary's  office  shows  the  following  num- 
ber of  shares  of  $100  each,  originally  taken  in  the  severaltowns 
to  organize:  Watertown31,  Antwerp 33,  Rossie  14, Gouverneur 
120,  Herman  2,  Edward  1,  Canton  150,  Potsdam  268,  Ogdens- 
burgh  1.  These  subscriptions  were  not  secured  without  strenu- 
ous efforts;  and  on  the  7th  of  April,  1851,  an  act  was  procured, 
allowing  the  company  to  exercise  the  powers  of  the  general  act, 


Sockets  Harbor  and  Saratoga  Rail  Road.  337 

whenever  $5000  per  mile  should  be  subscribed.  In  October, 
1852,  the  company  contracted  with  Phelps,  Matoon  and  Barnes, 
the  builders  of  the  other  two  roads  in  the  county,  by  whom  the 
labor  is  to  be  completed  in  1854.  The  present  directors,  elected 
February  2,  1853,  are  A.  M.  Adsit,  of  Collon;  J.  H.  Sanford, 
Z.  Clark,  S.  Partridge  and  W.  W.  Goulding,  of  Potsdam;  £. 

<  Miner  and  B.  Hodskin,  ofCanton;W.£.  Stirling  and  E.  Dodge, 
of  Gouverneur;  Hiram  B.  Reen,of  Antwerp;  H.  Holcomb,0.  V. 
Brainard  and  H.  Cooper,  of  Watertown.  The  Hon.  Edwin 
Dodge,  of  Gouverneur,  has  been  the  president  of  the  company 

•  since  its  organization.     Henry  L.  Knowles,  of  Potsdam,  is  the 

f  present  secretary,  and  Daniel  Lee,  of  Watertown,  the  trecsurer. 
The  Sackets  Harbor  and  Saratoga  Rail  Ro,ad  Company  was  in- 

•  corporated  by  an  act  of  April  10,  1848,  by  which  Elisha  Camp, 
Jesse  C.  Dann,  Augustus  Ford,  Thomas  S.  Hall,  Samuel  T. 
Hooker  and  Dyer  N.  Burnbam,  of  Sackets  Harbor;  Francis  Seger 

'  and  Dean  S.  Howard,  of  Lewis  County;  Edward  Edwards, 
Thomas  J.  Marvin,  Gideon  M.  Davidson  and  Lebbeus  Booth,  of 
Saratoga  County;  Hiram  McCoUom  and  Patrick  S.  Stewart,  of 
Carthage;  John  Felt,  of  Felt's  Mills,  and  Charles  E.  Clarke, 
of  Great  Bend,  were  empowered,  with  their  associates,  to  con- 
struct a  rail  road  from  Sackets  Harbor,  by  way  of  Carthage,  and 
through  from  thence,  in  the  most  direci  and  eligible  route,  to 
.Saratoga  County.  Upon  paying  into  the  state  treasury  the  sum 
of  $5,000,  the  company  was  to  have  for  three  years  the  pre-emp- 
tion right  of  250,000  acres  of  state  lands,  in  tracts  of  not  more 
than  2000,  nor  less  than  1000  acres,  not  adjacent,  but  with 
intervals  of  at  least  1000  acres,  for  which,  so  often  as 
$25,000  was  expended  east  of  Carthage,  and  five  cents  per  acre 
paid  into  the  treasury,  the  comptroller  w^as  to  issue  deeds  of 
25,000  acres,  and  for  like  amounts  for  similar  expenditures  until 
the  whole  amount  of  250,000  acres  should  have  been  conveyed. 
The  $5,000  to  be  first  paid  was  to  be  credited  on  the  lands.  By  an 
act  passed  March  29,  1851,  the  provisions  of  the  general  rail 
road  act  were  applied  to  this,  and  the  limifation  of  the  organiza- 
tion extended  one  year. 

On  the  10th  of  January,  1852,  a  company  w^as  formed  at  Al- 
bany, .accordingly,  with  a  capital  of  $2,500,000,  of  whi^h  the 
trustees  first  named  in  the  articles  of  association  were  P.  S. 
Stewart,  of  Carthage;  C.  E.  Clarke,  of  Great  Bend;  Anson 
Blake,  of  Brooklyn;  Lyman  R.  Lyon,  of  Greig;  T.  P.  Ballou,  of 
Vtica;  Robert  Spicer,  of  West  Milton;  Otis  Clapp  and  Francis 
Tukey,  of  Boston;  Alva  Crocker  and  Ivers  Philips,  of  Fitch- 
burgh.  Mr.  Clapp  was  chosen  president.  Thirteen  individuals 
of  Boston  subscribed  fifty  shares  each;  at  Fitchburgh  one  hun- 
dred, and  at  Georgetown  fifty  shares;  and  in  Saratoga,  Lewis 


■  1 


^j?i 


rm 


I 


838  Socket*  Harbor  and  Saratoga  Rail  Road 

and  Jefferson  Counties  sums  of  less  amount.    On  the  15th  of 
April,  1853,  an  act  was  passed  confirming  the  validity  of  the  or- 
'  ganization. 

In  the  summer  of  1851,  a  preliminary  survey  was  made  by 
Bryant  P.  Tilden,  Jr.,  which  gave  the  length  of  the  route  160 
,  miled,  and  the  probable  cost  of  the  construction,  with  equipments, 
as  $3,669,045,  and  during  the  last  season  surveying  parti^  have 
been  engaged  in  exploring  new  routes,  in  hopes  of  finding  im- 
:  proved  grades,  and  the  location  of  the  road  has  not  yc'  been 
made.  It  is  said,  that  no  grade  will  exceed  thirty-five  feet  per 
mile,  and  that  there  are  no  deep  rock  cuttings  or  expensive 
crradings  and  bridges  on  the  entire  line.  By  a  circular,  dated 
February  7,  1853,  a  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Clarke, 
Stewart,  and  Lvon,  called  upon  the  proprietors  of  lands  in  the  wil- 
derness through  which  this  road  will  pass,  to  contribute  one-third 
of  these  lands  to  effect  this  object,  assuming  that  «he  remaining 
two-thirds  will  become  far  more  valuable'in  consequence.  This 
has  been  done  to  a  great  extent,  and  the  donation  from  the  state 
was  based  on  tlie  same  principle. 

This  road  may  also  be  considered  a  Boston  project,  and  should 
the  proposed  tunnel  through  the  Hoosic  Mountain  be  constructei!, 
it  will  form  a  more  direct  communication  between  the  great 
lakes  and  the  sea  board,  «than  any  now  existing.  The  vast 
amount  of  timber  and  mineral  products  which  it  will  open  to 
market,  with  the  directness  of  its  route  for  through  freight,  and 
the  immense  landed  estate  upon  which  the  company  is  based, 
are  features  which  render  the  friends  of  this  road  confident,  that 
it  will  be  soon  built,  and  become  an  object  of  profit  to  them- 
selves, as  it  will  assuredly  be  of  immense  benefit  to  the  country. 

In  December,  1852,  the.'plan  of  a  railroad,  from  some  point  on 
the  jentral  line,  through  the  Black  River  valley  to  the  St.  Law- 
rence, began  to  be  discussed,  and  a  meeting  to  be  held  at  Low- 
ville,  January  8,  1853,  signed  by  thirty-four  prominent  citizens 
of  Lewis  County,  appeared  in  the  Xforthern  Journal  of  Lowville, 
the  week  previous.  T'^is  luceting  was  accordingly  held.  A  com- 
mittee of  five  persons  in  each  county  interested  was  appointed 
to  collect  statistics  and  facts  to  report  to  future  raeetmgs,  of 
which  one  was  appointed  at  Theresa,  on  the  20th,  and  another 
at  Boonville,  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month. 

The  meeting  at  Boonville  was  attended  by  those  representing 
the  claims  of  Herkimer,  Utica,  and  Rome,  for  the  southern  ter- 
minus, but  the  weight  of  interests  represented  was  in  favor  of 
the  first  of  these,  and  a  company  was  formed  under  the  name  of 
the  Btack  River  Rail  Road  Company,  with  a  capital  of 
$1,200,000,  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  road  from  Clayton,  on 
Uie  St  Lawrence,  by  way  of  Carthage  and  the  west  side  of  the 


Rail  Roach  through  the  Black  River  VaXley.        339 

Blsck  River,  to  the  valley  of  West  Canada  Creek,  to  Herkimer, 
a  distance  of  about  120  miles.  The  directors  named  were  Benia« 
inin  Carver,  Harvey  Doolittle  and  Linus  Yale,  ofHerkimerCoiin* 
ty;  Jonah  Howe,  Matthew  Beecher,  and  Philip  M.  Schuyler,  of 
Oneida  County;  £la  Merriara,  Seth  Miller,  Moses  M.  Smith, 
Wm.  L.  Easton,  and  John  Benedict,  of  Lewis  County;  and  Sa- 
muel J.  Davis,  and  Lewis  T.  Ford,  of  Jefferson  County. 

It  may  be  here  noticed,  that  seventeen  years'  previous  (May 
21,  1836),  a  company  of  the  same  name  had  been  chartered  by 
a  special  act  to  build  a  road  from  Clayton  to  Carthage.  A  pre- 
liminary survey  was  made  the  same  year  by  K.  F.  Livingston, 
and  the  route  passed  through  Evan's  Mills,  and  La  Fargeville, 
was  thirty-one  miles  in  length,  and  was  estimated  to  cost 
)$ 226,015*62.  Nothing  but  a  survey  was  attempted.  Carthage 
was  found  by  these  measurements  to  be  473  feet  above  the  St. 
Lawrence,  at  Clayton.  This  effort  on  the  part  of  Herkimer  im- 
mediately excited  a  spirit  of  rivalry  at  Utica  and  Rome,  and 
three  days  after  the  Boonville  meeting,  viz:  January  29,  1853, 
the  Blaok  River  and  Utica  Rail  Road  Company  was  organized 
with  a  capital  of  $1,000,000,  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  road 
from  that  city  to  Clayton,  a  distance  of  about  one  hundred  miles. 
The  directors  named  were  T.  S.  Faxton,  Spencer  Kellogg,  John 
Butteriield,  Martin  Hart,  Alfred  Chtirchill,  James  V.  P.  Gardi- 
ner, Benjamin  F.  Ray,  James  S.  Lynch,  Wm.  H.  Terry,  Hugh 
Crocker,  Harvey  Barnard,  Jonathan  R.  Warner,  and  John  D. 
Leland,  all  of  Utica,  except  the  last  named,  who  is  of  Deerfield. 
T.  S.  Faxton  was  chosen  president,  and  J.  S.  Lynch  secretary. 
Daniel  C.  Jenne  was  employed  to  survey  a  route,  and  report 
the  proper  estimates  of  cost. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  a  meeting  was  held  at  Lowville,  at 
which  a  committee  of  three  from  each  town,  interested  in  the 
line  from  Boonville  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  was  appointed  to  exa- 
mine the  claims  of  the  three  southern  points.  Mr.  Jenne  re- 
ported the  results  of  a  survey  from  Utica  to  Boonville,  and  esti- 
mated the  cost,  witi>  equipment,  at  $20,000  per  mile;  am''  Mr. 
Octave  Blanc,  who  had  been  engaged  on  a  preliminary  survey 
for  Rome,  also  reported  the  result  of  his  operation  south  of 
i)oonviiio;and  Mr.  Woostcr,  of  Herkimer,  read  the  survey  made 
by  Mr.  Je.vis,  in  1837,  for  the  Herkimer  and  Trenton  Railway. 

After  hearing  these  several  reports,  the  general  committee 
found  themselves  unable  to  decide  the  question,  and  having  ap- 
pointed a  sub-committee  of  eight,  consisting  of  A.  H.  Barnes, 
of  Martinsburgh;  A.  Joy,  of  Clayton;  H.  Dewey,  of  Orleans; 
Wm.  L.  Easton,  of  Lowville;  ElaMerriam,  ofLeyden;  N.  Inger- 
soll,  of  Le  Ray ;  S.  Sylvester,  of  Copenhagen;  and  A.  A.  Goodale, 
of  West  Turin,  to  visit  these  several  places  proposed,  as  points 


340         Rail  Roads  through  the  Black  River  Vattey. 

of  junction  with  the  central  road,  and  report  at  the  meeting  to 
be  adjourned  to  Carthage,  on  the  22d  instant.  This  meeting  at 
Lowville  was  continued  two  days,  and  h  most  active  spirit  of 
rivalry  was  exibited  by  the  delegates  from  the  southern  sections. 
At  the  Carthage  meeting,  great  anxiety  was  felt  in  the  expected 
report  of  the  sub-committee,  and  nearly  every  member  of  the 
general  committee  was  present.  A  resolution  wat  adopted  by 
them,  that  a  majority  of  two-thirds  should  be  required  to  decide 
upon  the  termination  of  the  road.  The  committee  of  eight  re 
ported,  that,  having  met  and  organized  at  Rome  on  the  14th, 
they  resolved  cpon  a  series  of  questions  to  be  proposed  to  the 
rail  road  committees  oi  Rome,  Utica,  and  Herkimer,  to  ascertain 
the  cost  per  acre  of  fifteen  ur  twenty  acres  for  a  depot,  on  the 
heel  path  side  of  the  canal,  and  at  least  one  half  mile  Fong,  and 
the  amount  of  stock  that  would  be  pledged  for  each,  by  persons 
south  of  Boonville.  It  was  found  that  a  connection  could 
readily  be  obtained  with  the  central  road,  and  spirit  of  liberality 
and  accommodation  was  evinced  by  the  officers  of  that  line. 

At  Rome,  a  delegation,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Foster,  Stryker, 
Doty,  Comstock,  Hopkins,  and  others,  presented  the  claims  and 
preferences  of  tha.  place;  stated  that  the  requisite  amount  of  land 
oould  be  bought  at  a  price  not  exceeding  $250  per  acre,  and 
pledged  at  least  $300,000,  in  private  subscriptions,  besides  what 
might  be  obtained  from  the  village  corporation,  which  it  was 
supposed  would  amount  to  $150,000  more.  The  survey  of  Mr. 
Blanc  had  been  continued  since  the  meeting  at  Lowville,  on 
the  8th,  down  the'valley  of  the  Lansing  Kill,  as  far  as  Stringer's 
Creek  Aqueduct,  and  it  was  found  that  the  48  feet  grade  did 
not  exceed  7*91  miles,  in  reaching  the  flats,  instead  of  8^  miles, 
as  stated  ifk  a  former  report.  The  distance  to  Boonville  was  found 
to  be  23  miles.  '  ; 

At  Utica,  the  committee  was  received  by  Messrs.  Kellogg, 
Ferry,  Churchill,  and  others.  It  was  found  that  a  sufficient 
quantity  of  depot  ground  could  be  purchased  on  the  berme  side 
and  tow  path  side,  at  $200  per  acre.  The  sum  of  $250,000  was 
guaranteed  by  individuals  of  Utica,  and  $100,000  was  expected 
to  be  raised  between  that  city  and  Boonville.  A  further  sum 
from  private  means,  of  $50,000,  and  $250,000  more  from  ,city 
bonds  was  also  expected,  making  $650,000.  A  detailed  report 
was  received  from  Mr.  Jenne,  the  engineer,  on  the  subject  of 
forming  a  connection  with  the  canal,  and  several  plans  were 
pointed  out  by  which  that  object  could  be  effected. 

The  committee  also  visited  Herkimer,  but  as  it  was  understood 
that  that  place  had  withdrawn  its  claims  for  the  terminus,  and 
that  the  company  had  been  disbanded,  no  report  was  made  upon 
that  station.    These  facts  the  sub-committee  submitted  without 


Ogdentburgh,  Clayton  and  Rome  Rail  Road.        341 

expressing  their  preference  of  the  claims  of  either.  The  gene- 
ral committee  was  in  session  two  days  at  Carthage,  engaged  in 
discussing  the  merits  of  the  rival  stations,  but  the  two-third  rule 
which  tbev  had  imposed  upon  themselves,  prevented  the  requi- 
site majority  from  being  obtained.  The  first  ballot  was*22  for 
Utica,  22  for  Rome,  and  2  for  Herkimer;  and  Rome  afterwards 
gained  »  small  majority,  but  finding  it  impossible  to  agree,  the 
committee  was  discharged,  and  an  association  styled  the  Og- 
densburgh,  Clayton,  and  Rome  Rail  Road  Company  was  im-  -. 
mediately  announced  as  in  the  field,  ^nd  pledged  to  build  a  road 
from  Rome  to  Denmark,  and  thence  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  at  Mor- 
ristown,  and  Ogdensburgh,  with  a  branch  to  Clayton.  The  Og- 
densbui'qrh  and  Clayton  Rail  Road  Company  was  formed  Febru- 
ary 19,1853,  with  a  capital  of  $2,000,000,  and  the  following 
gentlemen  as  its  directors,  viz:  Henry  A.  Foster,  John  Stryker, 
Edward  Huntington,  and  Alva  Mudge,  of  Rome;  Elijah  B.  Al- 
len, and  Henry  Van  Rensselaer,  of  Ogdensburgh;  Augustus 
Chapman,  of  Morristown;  Wm.  Wm.  L.  Easton,  of  Lowville; 
Seth  Miller,  of  West  Turin;  Alanson  H.  Barnes,  of  Martins- 
burgh;  Sidney  Sylvester,  of  Denmark;  SamuelJ.  Davis,  of  Wil- 
na;  and  Jason  Clark,  of  Plessis.  Henry  A.  Foster  was  chosen 
president;  Elijah  B.  Allen,  vice-president;  James  L.  Leonard, 
of  Lowville,  treasurer;  Roland  S.  Doty,  of  Rome,  secretary; 
Bloomfield  J.  Beach,  of  Rome,  attorney  for  the  county  of  Onei- 
da; and  Octave  Blanc,  engineer. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  Watertown,  April  21,  a  code  of  by-laws 
was  adopted,  and  the  following  resolutions  passed: 

"  Resolved,  That  it  is  our  intention  to  construct  a  rail  road, 
from  the  central  line  of  rail  road,  and  Erie  Canal,  in  the  village 
of  Rome,  to  the  River  St.  Lawrence,  in  the  village  of  Clayton, 
and  also  to  said  River  St.  Lawrence,  in  the  village  of  Ogdens- 
burgh, and  touching  the  river  at  Morristown,  so  as  to  con- 
nect with  the  Northern  Ogdensburgh  Rail  Road,  and  the  Grand 
Trunk  Rail  Road,  the  By  Town  and  Prescott  Rail  Road,  and  the 
proposed  Pembroke  and  Brockville  Rail  Road  in  Canada. 

Resolved,  That  in  lowness  of  summit,  easy  grade,  cheapness 
in  cost  of  construction,  facility  of  connection  with  the  central 
line  of  rail  road,  and  the  Erie  Canal,  and  in  having  its  termina- 
tion at  such  points,  as  to  command  the  business  of  the  country, 
and  of  Canada,  this  road  has  decided  advantages  over  any  other 
proposed  line  of  rail  road  from  the  St.  Lr.wrence  River  to  the 
said  central  line,  and  canal,  and  can  and  will  he  built;  and  that 
we  unanimously  pledge  ourselves  to  the  stockholders  and  to  each 
other,  to  push  forward  the  enterprise  to  completion  and 
without  delay." 
This  claim  of  superiority  is,  of  course,  contested  by  the  rival 


>  iiii 


v-* 


342         .     Black  River  and  Utiea  Rail  Road. 

route,  as  well  as  that  now  tinitihed.  The  plan  of  connecting  Og- 
densburgh  with  some  other  road,  by  a  line  south-west  from  that 
place,  hud  come  up  for  discussion,  while  the  Potsdam  and  Wa> 
tertown  Kail  Road  was  in  course  of  organization,  but  nothing  was 
then  etifcted.  It  was  next  pioposed  to  connect  that  place  with 
the  road  last  named,  in  the  town  of  De  Kalb,  but  the  present  pro- 
ject has  fuptTceded  there. 

Both  the  Utica  and  the  Rome  routes  have  L  n  surveyed  and 
located,  and  the  most  active  eflforts  have  been  made  to  secure 
subscriptions  along  the  liqes  of  each,  which,  from  Boonville  to 
Theresa,  a  distance  of  about  sixty  miles,  nearly  coincide,  and 
repeatedly  cross  each  other.  Both  routes  have  been  let  to  res- 
ponsible parties,  and  subscriptions  sulHcient  to  warrant  the  un- 
dertaking have  been  secured  by  each. 

An  act  was  passed  May  27,  1853,  making  it  lawful  for  the 
common  council  of  the  city  of  Utica  to  borrow,  on  the  faith  and 
credit  of  that  city,  any  sum  of  money  not  exceeding  $250,000, 
for  a  term  not  exceeding  twenty  years,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding 
the  construction  of  this  road.  Before  this  act  could  take  effect, 
it  was  to  be  submitted  to  the  tax  paying  voters  of  the  city,  at  a 
special  meeting  to  be  held  for  th^  purpose.  On  the  same  day,  a 
similar  power  was  granted  to  the  trustees  of  the  village  of  Ilotne, 
to  the  extent  of  raising  $  150,000,  for  the  Ogdensburgh,  Carthage 
and  Rome  Rail  Road,  the  bonds  to  bear  the  corporate  seal  of  the 
village,  and  their  management  to  be  entrusted  to  Roland  S.  Doty, 
Harvy  Brayton,  William  L.  Howland,  Gordon  L.  Bissell  and  £ri 
Seymour,  who  were  styled  the  "  Commissioners  of  the  Rail  Road 
Fund  of  Rome."  Both  of  these  acts  have  since  been  confirmed 
by  large  majorities  at  elections  held  for  that  purpose. 

Several  prominent  capitalists  and  citizens  of  the  village  of  Og- 
densburgh haVe  decided  upon  an  application  to  the  legislature  for  a 
similar  power,  to  issue  the  bonds  oftheir  corporation  for  $100,000, 
and  there  is  little  doubt  that  such  a  measure  would  be  sanctioned  by 
the  citizens,  if  submitted  to  their  votes.  There  has  long  been  a  want 
of  sympathy  at  that  place,  in  the  welfare  of  the  Northern  Rail 
Road,  owing  to  the  control  which  has  been  exercised  by  the 
Boston  proprietors,  and  there  seems  to  be  a  desire  to  secure  a  di- 
rect communication  by  rail  road,  independent  of  the  one  now  con- 
structed. 

The  ceremony  of  breaking  ground  for  the  Black  River  and 
Utica  Rail  Road  took  place  at  Utica,  August  27,  at  which  ad- 
dresses were  delivered  by  Governor  Seymour,  ex-Governor  Hunt, 
and  other  distinguished  gentlemen,  and  the  occasion  was  cele- 
brated by  military  parade  and  general  festivities.  This  road 
was  contracted  August  10,  to  be  graded  in  1854.  The  Rome 
road  was  let  November  7,  to  be  graded  and  ready  for  the  super* 


Black  River  Company. 


843 


structure  September  1,  1854,  and  work  upon  this  has  also  been 
commenced. 

Thei  active  spirit  of  rivalry  that  has  characterized  these  two 
companies,  and  the  determination  which  has  been  evinced  by 
each,  render  it  probable  that  one  or  both  of  thr'tn  will  be  built; 
nor  has  it  been  determined,  at  the  time  of  our  writing,  whether 
a  union  will  not  be  effected  from  Boonville  to  Theresa,  between 
which  points  th?  routes  of  the  two  roads  nearly  coincide. 

A  line  has  been  surveyed  by  the  Utica  company,  from  near 
Philadelphia  to  Rossie,  and  south  of  Black  Lake  to  Ugdens- 
burgh;  and  an  eligible  route  is  said  to  have  been  found.  The 
prevailing  direction  of  the  valleys  correspond  with  that  of  this 
route. 

TsLEoaAPHS. — In  1860,  O'Reiley's  Merchants*  Line  of  t  'le- 
graph,  operating  on  the  Bain  principle,  was  erected  alonr  the 
stage  road,  from  Oswego,  by  way  of  Pulaski,  Adams,  W  ater- 
town,  and  Theresa,  to  Ogdensburgh,  at  each  of  which,  offices 
were  opened.  It  was  subsequently  purchased  by  the  Morse  line, 
and  on  the  1st  of  February,  1803,  the  principle  paten  '  by 
Professor  Morse,  was  adopted.  During  the  summer  of  1  ioo  a 
telegraph  was  built  by  citizens  of  Sackets  Harbor,  ak.ig  the 
direct  plank  road  from  Watertown  to  that  place. 

Water  Communication. — The  incorporation  of  a  company  for 
improving  the  navigation  of  Black  River  to  Brownville  Village, 
has  been  noticed  on  page  99.  The  river  was  declared  a  public 
highway,  from  High  Falls  to  Carthage,  by  an  act  passed  March  16, 
1831,  which  also  authorized  road  commissioners  to  forbid  the 
crossing  of  bridges  faster  than  a  walk,  within  fifty  miles  of  its 
mouth.  On  the  28th  of  March,  1828,  the  Black  River  Canal 
Company  was  formed.  This  company  organized,  and  caused  a 
survey  of  a  canal  to  be  made,  from  Rome  to  the  High  Falls, 
by  Alfred  Cruger,^ut  did  nothing  more.  Th-  may  be  considered 
the  first  step  towa.ds  the  Black  River  Can.'/.  The  route  had 
been  noticed  in  the  governor's  message,  in  1625,  among  many 
others,  and  t^e  first  proposition  was  to  construct  a  navigable  com- 
munication from  the  Erie  Canal,  at  Herkimer,  to  the  head  waters 
of  Black  River,  and  thence  to  Ogdensburgh.  The  former  act 
having  expired,  another  was  passed,  April  17,  1832,  incorpora- 
ting the  Black  River  Company  for  the  purpose  of  connecting,  by 
rail  roads,  or  canals,  the  Erie  Canal,  at  Rome,  or  Herkimer,  with 
Ogdensburgh,  Cape  Vincent,  or  Sackets  Harbor,  including  the 
improvement  of  Black  River,  from  the  High  Falls  to  Carthage 
for  steam  navigation.  The  capital  was  limited  to  $900,000,  in 
shares  of  $50  each;  and  one  or  more  of  the  following  sections 
was  to  be  completed  within  three  years,  viz:  From  the  Erie 
Canal  to  High  Falls;  from  the  latter  through  Watertowu  to 


ifil'^ 


-\\ 


344 


Black  River  Canal. 


Sackets  Harbor;  from  Carthage  to  Sackets  Harbor;  from  the 
river  at  Carthage  to  Cape  Vincent;  from  Carthage  to  Ogdens- 
burgh,  or  the  improvement  of  the  river  above  Carthage  for  steam 
boat  navigation.    The  persons  named  in  the  act,  were  Vincent 
le  Ray  de  Ctiaumont,  Eli   West,  Samuel  Allen,  £la  Collins, 
John    W.  Martin,  Jerre  Carrier,   Elisha  Camp,  John  Brown, 
Abram  Parish,  Charles  A.  Mann,  George  Varigh,  Ralph  Clapp, 
John  Felt,  Isaac  W.  Bostwick,  Homer  Collins,  Jamf^r.McVickar, 
Peter  Schuyler,  George  Brayton,  and  Benjamin  P.  Jobnson.  This 
company  was  so  far  organized  as  to  build  a  steam  boat  on  Black 
River,  at  Carthage,  which  was  called  the  Cornelia.    It  was  bu'lt 
in  1832,  by  Paul  Boynton,  for  the  company,  at  a  cost  of  $6,000 
with  a  keel  90  ieet  long,  and  a  breadth,  across  the  guards,  of  22 
feet.     She  had  two  upright,  high  pressure  engines,  of  ten  horse 
power  each,  built  by  N.  Starbuck  &  Son,  of  Troy.  Being  found  to 
draw  100  much  water,  one  engine  was  taken  out.    The  first  trip 
was  September  22,  1832,  to  Lowville,  where  she  grounded,  and 
was  got  off  with  much  difficulty.    The  boat  continued  to  riiu, 
the  ensuing  season,  to  the  High  Falls,  with  an  hourly  6peed 
of  six  ana  one  half  miles,  frequently  getting  aground,  and 
proving  to  be  too  large  for  the  river,  and,  eventually,  nearly  a 
total  loss  to  the  proprietors,  of  whom,  Mr.  Le  Ray  was  the  prin- 
cipal.   A  thrilling  incident  occurred  on  the  first  trip  of  this  boat 
to  the  Falls.    The  man  at  the  tiller  wishing  to  show  the  party 
on  board,  and  the  spectators  on  shore,  the  qualities  of  his  craft, 
st'^ered  up  so  near  under  the  falls,  that,  as  he  turned,  the  spray 
from  the  torrent  deluged  the  deck,  and  the  boat,  itself,  came 
within  a  few  feet  of  being  brought  under  the  fall.    Fortunately 
there  was  a  heavy  pressure  of  steam  up  at  the  moment,  and  they 
escaped  with  a  tiioroiigh  drenching.    This  attempt  proved  the 
practicability  of  navigating  the  river  forty-two  and  a  half  miles; 
but  no  subsequent  attempt  was  made  until  the  summer  of  1853, 
when  the  Enterprise,  a  canal  boat,  temporarily  fitted  up  by  G. 
H.  Gould,  for  the  purpose,  with  a  stern  wheel,  was  rigged  out 
at  the  High  Falls,  and  made  a  few  trips.  , 

On  the  22d  of  April,  1834,  an  act  was  passed^  authorizing  the 
survey  of  a  canal,  from  >ip1ow  the  High  Falls  to  the  Erie  Canal, 
with  a  navigable  feeder,  and  an  improvement  of  the  river  to  Carth- 
age. Having  ascertained  tha  feasibility  of  this  route,  on  the  19th 
of  April,  1836,  an  act  was  pa;<;sed,  providing  for  the  construction 
of  the  Black  River  Canal,  and  Erit  Canal  Feeder,  of  which 
the  river  was  to  be  a  part.  Work  was  soon  after  commenced, 
and  more  or  less,  except  during  the  "  suspension,"  prosecuted 
since,  till  at  present  we  almost  realize  this  long  expected,  and 
long  deferred  communication  with  the  great  markets;  which, 
from  being  anticipated  by  rail  roads,  will  possess  much  less  im- 


Black  River  Canal 


845 


portance  than  was  formerly  attached  to  it.  Stil],  for  the  lumber 
and  mineral  products  of  a  portion  of  the  county,  it  will  afford  a 
valuable  exit,  and  will  contribute  to  the  public  welfare. 

Many  interesting  topographical  details  have  been  obtained  in 
the  course  of  these  surveys,  which  possess  permanent  interest. 
The  following  is  a  concisie  description  of  the  canals,  as  given  in 
the  report  of  the  state  engineer  and  surveyor  for  1861  (p.  77): 
"This  canal  diverges  from  the  Erie  Canal,  at  the  village  of 
Rome,  Oneida  County,  following  up  the  valley  of  the  Mohawk 
River  and  its  tributary,  the  Lansing  Kill,  to  the  summit  level,  a 
distance  of  twenty-three  miles;  thence  crossing  the  dividing 
ridge  between  the  Mohawk  and  Black  Rivers,  about  two  miles, 
to  the  village  of  Boonville;  thence  descends  into  the  valley  of 
the  Black  River,  and  at  the  distance  of  ten  and  one-third  miles 
it  enters  said  river  below  the  Hii^h  Falls,  in  the  county  of 
Lewis;  thence  it  follows  the  river,  by  slack  water  navigation,  a 
distance  of  forty-two  and  one-half  miles,  to  Ihe  village  of  Car- 
thage, in  the  county  of  Jefferson,  making  the  whole  length  of 
the  canal  and  river  about  seventy-eight  miles. 

A  navigable  feeder,  of  ten  miles  in  length,  is  constructed  from 
the  Black  River,  entering  the  canal  at  the  village  of  Boonville, 
which  is  designed  for  a  feeder  to  the  Black  River  Canal,  and 
also  for  the  Erie  Canal.  Add  to  the  canal,  river  and  feeder, 
two  miles  of  navigation  on  the  reservoir  above  the  State  Dam, 
making  in  all  ninety  miles  of  navigation,  when  the  whole  work 
is  finished. 

From  Rome  to  Boonville,  a  distance  of  twenty-five  miles, 
there  are  seventy  locks,  overcoming  an  elevation  of  six  hundred 
and  ninety-three  feet,  which  are  distributed  as  follows:  Five 
single  locks  of  eight  feet  lift,  three  of  nine  feet,  forty-six  often 
feet,  four  of  eleven  fe«t,  one  of  twelve  feet,  two  combinations  of 
three  each  of  ten  feet,  and  one  combination  of  five  locks,  each 
ten  feet  lift.  There  are  also  located,  on  this  part  of  the  canal, 
four  aqueducts,  eight  culverts,  seven  waste-weirs,  seventeen 
road  bridges,  eighteen  farm  bridges,  one  dam  and  bulk-head, 
eighteen  lock  houses  built,  and  three  to  build,  and  a  feeder  and 
guard-lock  at  Delta,  yet  to  be  built. 

From  Boonville  to  the  High  Falls,  a  distance  of  ten  and  one- 
third  miles,  there  are  located  thirty-nine  locks,  with  a  descent  of 
three  hundred  and  eighty-rix  feet,  the  lifts  of  which  are  as  fol- 
lows: Four  single  locks  of  nine  feet  lift,  ten  often  feet,  one  of 
ten  and  one-half  feet,  one  of  eleven  and -one-half  feet,  one  of 
twelve  feet;  one  combination  of  four  locks,  each  nihe  feet;  two 
combinations  of  four,  each  ten  feet;  one  combination  of  three, 
each  ten  feet;  one  combination  of  three,  with  two  of  ten  feet 
and  one  of  four  feet;  one  combination  of  two,  of  eleven  feet^ 
and  one  combination  of  two,  of  twelve  feet. 


,;;    '    i 


fftfi 


HI  :  W 


111 


346 


Black  River  Canal. 


. '  f 


-  There  are,  also,  one  aqueduct,  seven  culverts,  one  waste-weir, 
six  road  bridges,  sixteen  farm  bridges,  two  change  bridges,  and 
one  dam,  located  on  this  part  of  the  canal,  and  when  brought 
into  use,  eleven  lock  houses  will  be  required. 

On  the  Black  River  Feeder,  from  Boonviile,  to  and  including 
the  reservoir  on  the  Black  Kiver,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles, 
there  are  located,  one  guard-lock,  three  culverts,  three  waste- 
weirs,  ten  road  bridges,  two  farm  bridges,  one  tow-path  bridge, 
one  dam,  one  lock  house,  and  six  stop-gates.  On  the  Black 
River,  between  High  Falls  and  Carthage,  a  distance  of  forty-two 
and  one-half  miles,  are  located,  one  dam  at  Carthage,  and  two 
draw  bridges,  one  at  Illingworths,  and  the  other  at  Beach's 
Landing. 

On  the  whole  line  of  canal,  feeder  and  river,  there  will  be 
one  hundred  and  nine  locks,  five  aqueducts,  eleven  waste-weirs, 
eighteen  culverts,  thirty-three  road  bridges,  thirty-six  farm 
bridges,  three  change  and  tow-path  bridges,  two  guard-locks, 
one  dam  and  bulk-head,  three  dams,  thirty-three  lock  houses,  six 
stop-gates,  two  draw  bridges,  and  the  Delta  feeder." 

At  the  time  when  the  work  was  suspended,  in  1842,  the  sec- 
tion work  south  of  Boonviile  was  mostly  done,  except  on  five 
sections;  forty -seven  locks  were  mostly  finished,  except  framing 
and  hanging  gates,  and  a  large  amount  of  other  work  was  more 
or  less  completed;  but  during  the  five  years  that  the  labor  was 
suspended,  a  great  part  of  the  timb^y  was  so  injured  as  to  be- 
come almost  useless.  North  of  Boonviile,  about  six  miles  of 
section  work  had  been  let,  of  which  two  were  completed,  and 
the  others  well  advanced.  Two  locks  were  nearly  finished,  and 
the  feeder  had  been  about  half  done.  Two  culverts  were  built 
upon  it,  and  the  materials  in  part  delivered  for  the  guard-lock 
and  dam.  The  value  of  materials  on  hand,  at  that  time,  was 
$60,383-86,  of  which  $20,000  worth  weri  made  available,  and 
the  remainder  was  a  loss  to  the  state. 

In  1851,  the  canal  had  been  brought  into  use  as  far  as  Port 
Leyden,  and  such  is  the  forwardness  of  the  remainder,  that  its 
coni|)letion  to  Carthage  appears  not  distant.  During  the  dry 
season  of  1849,  all  the  water  at  the  head  of  the  feeder  was  used, 
and  still  there  was  a  deficiency  of  7000  cubic  feet  per  minute. 
This  led  to  a  plan  for  ensuring  a  supply  by  constructing  dams 
at  the  outlets  of  some  of  the  lakes  above  this  point  which  receive 
the  drainage  of  many  thousand  acres. 

The  descent  of  Black  River  from  the  High  Falls  to  Carthage 
is  9^  feet  in  low  water,  and  23  feet  in  high  water;  as  at  such 
times  the  rise  at  the  former  place  is  22  feet,  and  at  Carthage 
but  eight  feet.  The  quantity  of  water  passing  the  falls  at  its 
lowest  stage  is  about  30,000  cubic  feet  per  minute,  and  is  not 


Black  River  Canal. 


347 


maferially  increased  until  it  receives  the  Otter  and  Tiid^endence 
Creeks.  Among  the  several  plans  that  were  proposed  to  im- 
prove the  channel,  that  of  constructing  a  dam  and  lock  near  In- 
dependence Creek,  is  said  to  have  been  decided  upon.  A  dam 
is  also  to  be  built  at  the  village  of  Carthage  above  the  present 
dam,  where  the  river  is  about  700  feet  wide,  and  from  three  to 
four  feet  deep  in  low  water,  with  a  rock  bottom. 

In  1837,  the  project  of  extending  the  Black  River  Canal  from 
Carthage  to  Ogdensburgh,  or  some  point  on  the  St.  Lawrence, 
began  to  be  discussed;  and  in  the  fall  of  1838  meetings  were 
held  at  Watertown,  Evans'  Mills,  Theresa,  and  other  places. 
Petitions,  memorials,  and  statistics,  were  forwarded  to  the  legis- 
lature, and  on  the  2d  of  May,  1839,  a  bill  was  passed  author- 
izing a  survey  of  the  several  routes  proposed.  This  labor  was 
entrusted  to  Edward  H.  Brodhead,  who,  in  the  summer  of  1839, 
surveyed  a  route  from  Carthage  to  Clayton,  from  Carthage  to 
Sackets  Harbor,  from  Carthage  to  Ox  Bow,  and  thence,  by  im- 
proving the  Or'vegatchie,  to  Ogdensburgh.  and  another  branch  of 
this  route  to  Gouverneur,  and  thence  near  the  river  to  Ogdens- 
burgh. By  these  surveys,  Carthage  was  found  to  be  480  feet 
above  the  lake.  These  surveys  created  a  lively  interest  through- 
out the  central  and  northern  parts  of  the  county,  and  a  conven- 
tion from  St.  Lawrence  and  a  part  of  Jefferson  Counties  met  at 
Gouverneur  on  the  27th  of  June,  1839,  at  which,  a  series  of  reso- 
lutions was  passed,  reasserting  the  claims  of  northern  New  York 
upon  a  share  of  the  state  patronage,  and  the  wants  of  this  sec- 
tion for  a  cheap  and  direct  access  to  market.  The  report  of  Mr. 
Brodhead,  with  an  accompanying  map,  was  submitted  to  the 
legislature  in  1840,*  and  provision  was  made  for  the  selection 
of  one  of  the  routes  surveyed,  by  three  disinterested  men  from  the 
1st,  2d  and  3d,  or  8tli,  senate  districts;  but  a  change  of  policy  in 
relation  to  the  minor  public  works,  which  also  suspended  the 
larger,  put  an  end  to  the  discussion  by  postponing  it  indefinitely. 
The  experience  at  present  had  in  relation  to  railways  renders  it 
probable  that  the  subject  of  a  canal  beyond  Carthage  will  never 
be  revived. 

On  the  12th  of  April,  1848,  the  Black  River  Steam  Boat  Com- 
pany was  chartered  for  fifteen  years,  with  a  capita^  of  $25,000, 
to  build  one  or  more  boats  to  navigate  the  river,  subject  to  such 
tolls  as  might  be  imposed.  The  persons  named  in  the  act  were 
Amos  Buck,  Harrison  Blodget,  Hiram  McCollom,  Dean  S.  How- 
ard, Lyman  R.  Lyon,  Alburn  Foster,  Alfred  Lathrop,  Walter 
Nimocks,Eli  West,  Charles  Day  an,  James  Smith,  Wm.  F.  Strong, 

*  Anembly  Documents,  1840,  No.  233. 

*  88 


!fif 


348 


Navigation  of  the  Lakes. 


Elijah  Horr  and  Reuben  Rice.  A  subscription  was  circulated, 
but  nothing  uas  accomplished  by  this  company. 

By  an  act  of  April  15,  18 16,  the  Osvvegatchie  was  declared  a 
highway,  irom  its  mouth  to  Streeter's  Mills,  the  present  village 
of  Wegatchie.  On  the  6th  of  April,  1853,  Indian  River  was 
declared  a  public  highway  for  floating  logs  in  Antwerp,  Phila- 
delphia, Le  Ray,  and  Theresa,  and  the  u^^ual  penalties  were 
imposed  lor  obstructing  the  channel.  ,  ; 

From  the  earliest  period  of  our  existence  as  a  state,  the  St. 
Lawrence  was  regarded  as  a  natural  outlet  for  the  great  chain 
of  inland  lakes,  for  which  it  served,  in  a  great  measure,  as  the 
channel  of  trade,  until  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Canal.  Both 
the  French  and  the  English  had  built  vessels  on  this  lake,  while 
the  supremacy  of  its  waters  v«ras  with  them.  A  small  but  thriving 
commerce  had  arisen  before  the  war,  and  during  that  period  a 
formidable  naval  tbrce  sprang  into  existence,  that  was  opposed 
by  a  similar  one,  fitted  out  at  Kingston;  and  the  hostile  fleets 
upon  Lake  Ontario,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  were  increasing  in 
number  of  sail,  and  amount  of  force,  with  a  rapidity  that  has  had 
few  parallels  in  naval  annals. 

At  the  conclusion  of  peace,  these  fleets  were  gradually  broken 
up,  or  converted  to  commercial  purposes,  and,  almost  iromediatel) 
after,  the  application  of  steam  to  navigation,  which  had  already 
assumed  importance  on  the  Hudson  and  other  waters,  began  to 
be  applied  to  the  lakes. 

The  subject  having  been  examined  in  the  summer  and  fall  cf 

1815,  articles  of  agreement  were  drawn  up,  dated  January  2, 

1816,  between  Harriet  Fulton,  and  Wm.  Cutting,  of  New  York, 
executors  of  Robert  Fulton,  and  Robert  R.  Livingston,  and 
Edward  P.  Livingston,  of  Clermont,  owne''s  of  the  right  and 
privilege  of  steam  boat  navigation  in  the  state,  by  special  act  of 
the  legislature,  on  the  one  part;  and  Charles  Smyth,  Joseph  C. 
Yates,  Thomas C.  Duane,  and  David  Boyd,  on  the  other  part,  by 
which  the  latter  acquired  the  sole  right  to  navigate  boats  and 
vessels  (steam  ships  and  vessels  of  war  excepted)  by  steam,  on 
all  or  any  of  the  waters  of  Lake  Ontario,  within  the  state  of  New 
York,  and  the  fuHand  entire,  and  exclusive  right,  of  employing 
in  the  navigation  of  the  same  waters  such  inventions  and  im- 
provements, in  the  navigation  of  boats  by  steam  or  fire,  to  which 
the  grantors,  or  any  of  them,  had  or  hereafter  might  have  right 
or  title  by  patent,  &c. 

It  was  provided  and  stipulated,  that  but  one  boat  should  be 
employed  at  a  time  on  any  route  to  be  established  on  the  said 
waters,  by  virtue  of  this  contract,  without  the  consent  in  writing 
of  the  grantors,  and  until  the  nei  proceeds  of  the  said  on?  boat 
should  exceed  twenty  per  cent  per  annum.    One  boat  was  to  be 


Steam  Navigation  on  Lake  Ontario, 


349 


built  )vithin  two  years.  The  grantees  paid  ten  dollars  on  the 
execution  of  the  agreement,  and  covenanted  to  pay,  annually, 
on  the  first  of  January  (deducting  $1,500  from  the  gross  receipts 
of  each  year,  and  the  current  expenses  of  running  the  boat), 
one  half  of  all  moneys  received  above  twelve  per  cent  on  the 
investment.  The  $1,500  was  to  be  withdrawn,  annually,  until 
it  should  amount  to  $12,000,  which  was  to  constitute  a  sinking 
fund  for  rebuilding  the  boat.  Should  the  grantees  acquire  from 
the  British  government  any  privileges  for  the  navigation  of  the 
lake,  they  were  to  be  shared  equally  by  the  contracting  parties, 
and  these  privileges  were  not  transferable.  Application  was  to 
be  made  for  the  incorporation  of  an  association,  to  be  styled  the 
Ontario  Steam  Boat  Company,  with  a  capital  of  $200,000. 

On  the  6th  of  February,  1816,  a  petition  from  Charles  Smyth, 
David  Boyd,  £ri  Lusher,  Abraham  Van  Santvoord,  John  J.  De 
Graff,  and  their  associates,  was  presented,  in  which  the  essential 
facts,  above  stated,  were  given,  and  an  act  of  incorporation 
solicited.  A  bill  was  prepared  and  passed  the  house,  by  a  vote 
of  76  to  40,  but  did  not  become  a  law,  in  consequence  of  the 
early  adjournment  of  the  legislature.  On  the  16th  of  August,  of 
the  same  year,  Eri  Lusher,  and  Charles  Smyth,  became,  by  assign- 
ment of  De  Ora{f  and  Boyd,  partners  in  the  enterprise,  and  a 
boat  was  commenced  at  Sackets  Harbor,  the  same  summer,  after 
the  model  of  the  Sea  Horse,  then  running  on  the  Sound  near  New 
York.    She  was  110  feet  long,  24  feet  wide,  and  eight  feet  deep, 


-.h0  ■■■, 


.  ..^..;•.4     ■'. 


Fint  Steam  Boat  on  the  Great  Lake$    T810. 


measuring  S37  tons.  The  boilers  are  said  to  have  been  seventeen 
feet  long  and  three  and  a  half  feet  in  diameter,  with  a  cross  head 
engine,  and  cylinder  of  twenty  inches  diameter,  and  three  feet 
stroke;  wheels  eleven  feet  four  inches  across,  and  capacity  of  en- 
gine, twenty-one  horse  power. 
The  following  application  for  an  act  of  incorporation,  is 


'h 


'  f. 


I 


t  yjii~^  ,A  v,j 


I 


V'%i 


&i 


n 


B60 


Steam  Navigation  on  Lake  Ontario. 


without  date,  but  waii  drawn  up  in  December,  1S!(),  far  iW  lei- 
sioa  of  the  legislature  next  ensuing. 

"  To  the  HonoiMe  the  Legislature  of  the  SlaU  u/.^few  York: 

The  petition  of  Charles  Smyth,  of  the  city  of  Aik^nv,  and  £)'i 
Lusher,  of  the  cily  of  Schencctudy,  wiio,togt  b..%'i  wit!;  Majw  ,•  G«> 
nerai  Jacob  Brov«  n,  are  i\\*i  proprietors  of  the  <>xclusive  right  to 
the  navigationot  the  America n  waters  of  Lake  Ontario  by  steam 
or  6re,  most  humbly  f  howet^:  tt 

That  your  petitioners,  with  M.  T.  Woolsey,  SanuelF.  Hooker, 
Hunter  Crane,  and  Elisha  Camp,  l^qui  es,  hri  ve  lately  awiutnitied 
a  steam  boat  at  Sacke'.a  Harbor;  thai  they  are  desirous  o?  ob- 
taining aa  act  of  incorporation  for  a  ;'ompanv,  under  \i     ^^iyh  of 
the   Lake    Ontario   Steam    Beat  Ctsnpiuiy,  with  a  ca^iital  uf 
*;  vo  bitnd'od  thoui^and  (iollars,  and  powt-r  to  ostablisibi  branches  at 
LinvJsv.  .J  Gerjf  see  River,  Oswego,  Sackets  Harbor,  Cape  Vin- 
cciif'  a^iu  Ogdeijsburghj  that  whatever  reasons  may  be  urged 
egKin^it  steam  boats  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  on  Lake  Onta- 
rio, they  can  not  fail  of  producing  the  best  effects,  as  instead  of 
Injuring  the  villages  on  its  banks,  they  will  materially  tend  to 
promote  their  increase  and  prosperity;  th^il  the  cost  of  a  boat  so 
far  exceeds  the  means  which  mercantile  men,  generally,  can  now 
command,  that  your  petitioners  are  unable  lo  build  any  further, 
and  for  obvious  reasons,  they  can  not  induce  large  capitalists  to 
embark  with  them  without  an  act  of  incorporation;  that  the 
English  in  the  province  of  Upper  Canada  have  constructed  a 
steam  boat  of  seven  hundred  tons   burthen,  avowedly  for  the 
purpose  of  engrosf  ing  the  business  of  both  sides  of  the  lake;  that 
independent  of  the  wealth  of  the  individuals  composing  that 
association,  the  provincial  government  has  promised  them  every 
encouragement,  and  has  actually  passed  an  order  in  council,  impos- 
ing a  duty  of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  per  ton  on  all  American 
vessels  above  one  hundred  tons  burthen,  by  which  means  the 
steam  beat  of  vour  petitioners,  exceeding  two  hundred  tons,  is 
effectually  excluded  from  the  Canadian  waters,  while  the  Eng- 
lish boat  may  freely  navigate  ours,  in  which  no  such  tonnage  duty 
exists. 

It  is  well  known  to  your  petitioners  and  to  every  man  acquaint- 
ed with  the  commerce  of  the  Jakes,  that  an  establishment  of  thiw 
nature  will  be  of  very  great  benefit  to  th:  inhabitants  of  the 
western  country.  The  delays  which  now  <  •  ar  in  the  transport- 
ation of  property  destined  for  Detroit  9  ■'\e  settlements  on 
Lake  F****;,  would  be,  in  a  great  mea*iure, '  r  ad,  and  with  them 
the  ob'  ions  frequently  made  by  nn.  >■  * :  j  from  that  quiirter  to 
extern  .  .purchases  in  Albany  and     nv    vork. 

The  navy  department  of  the  Unties     nates,  apparently  influ- 


Steam  Navigation  on  Lake  Ontario. 


«}1 


enced  by  an  opinion  of  the  great  utility  of  steam  boats  on  Lake 
Ontario,  generously  directed  a  sufficiency  of  timber  from  the  na- 
val depot  to  be  delivered  to  the  agent  of  one  of  your  petitioners, 
upon  his  paying  therefor  a  reasonable  sum  of  money.  The  boat 
is  now  built,  and  if  the  experiment  succeed,  it  is  the  intention  of 
your  petitioners  to  grant  privileges  to  as  many  associations  on 
the  American  shore  as  apply  for  a  right.  They  therefore  hum- 
bly entreat  that  your  honorable  body  will  be  pleased  to  grant  them 
the  charter  prayed  for,  or,  if  that  should  be  deemed  improper, 
such  an  act  of  incorporation  as  will  enable  them  to  dispense  the 
advantages  of  steam  navigation  to  their  fellow  citizens  from 
Lewiston  to  Ogdensburgh. 

And  as  in  duty  bound, 
V   i  if  Your  petitioners  will  ever  pray. 

'     .'I  ,    (Signed)  Charles  Smyth. 

Eri  Lusher. 

This  application  did  not  succeed.  Early  in  1817,  the  steamer 
Ontario  was  completed  and  performed  her  first  trip,  being  every 
where  greeted  with  the  most  lively  demonstrations  of  joy.  Bon- 
fires, illuminations,  andmutualcongratulationsof  friends,  bespoke 
the  satisfaction  with  which  this  achievement  was  regarded,  and 
the  event  was  hailed  as  a  new  era  in  the  commerce  of  the  lakes. 
Weekly  trips  from  Ogdensburgh  to  Lewiston  were  first  attempted, 
but  on  the  first  of  July,  1817,  the  owners  advertised,  that  finding 
the  trip  of  about  600  miles,  too  extensive  to  be  performed  within 
that  time,  it  would  be  altered  to  ten  days.  The  fare  through 
w&s  fixed  at  $  15.  Capt.  Francis  Mallaby,  U.  S.  N.,  was  her  first 
master.  The  Ontario  continued  to  run,  seldom  exceeding  five 
miles  an  hour,  until  1832,  when  she  was  broken  up  at  0»wego. 

The  monopoly  of  steam  navigation  on  the  waters  of  the  state, 
granted  bj  repeated  acts  of  the  legislature  to  Robert  R.  Lit- 
ip'^^iton  and  Robert  Fulton,  gave  rise  to  much  litigation;  and,  in 
in  a  suit  of  OgiJen  against  Gibbons,  commenced  in  the  Court  of 
Chancery,  ^September  27,  1819,  it  was  decided  in  favor  of  the 
grant.* 

An  appeal  was  made  to  the  Court  of  Errors,t  and  the  case 
was  finally  decided  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,} 
in  February,  lv^-?4,  that  the  act  was  "  repugnant  to  the  clause 
ui'  *ht  Cunsiitution  of  the  United  States,  which  authorises 
l^ongress  to  reg'hte  commerce,  so  far  as  the  said  acts  pro- 
hibit vessels,  licensed  according  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
for  carrying  on  the  coasti}<^  trade,  from  navigating  the  said 
waters  by  means  of  fire  or  steam." 


♦  .Tohnson's  Chancery  Reports,  iv,  148. 
I  Wheaton's  Reports,  is,  1    . 


t  Cowen's  Reports,  iii,  713. 


t  1 


!;■ 


'^t-^^K 


862         Steam  BoaU.— Wreck  qf  the  Martha  Ogden.  f 

The  Ontario  was  the  first  steamer  built  on  abater  subject  to  a 
swell,  and  determined  the  interesting  problem  that  steam  boats 
were«dapted  to  the  navigation  of  open  seas,  as  well  as  sheltered 
rivers.  The  Fronienac  was  built  soon  after,  at  Kingston,  and 
the  next  season  the  first  steamer  appeared  on  Lake  Erie. 

The  Martha  Ogden  was  built  in  1819,  at  Sackets  Harbor,  and 
continued  in  use  until  lost  in  1832,  under  the  following  circum- 
stances: The  boat  (William  Vaughan,  master)  had  left  Oswego 
on  the  afternoon  of  November  12,  when  she  encountered  a  gale, 
and  being  unable  to  regain  the  port,  started  for  Sackets  Harbor; 
but  a  leak  having  sprung,  the  fires  were  put  out,  and  her  sails 
were  raised.  The  wind,  which  in  the  afternoon  had  been  S.  W., 
veered  to  W.  N.  W.,  then  N.  W.,  and  lastly  N.,  which  prevented 
her  from  doubling  Stony  Point.  Both  anchors  were  thrown 
out  in  eight  and  a  half  fathoms,  which  held  from  4  till  11  f.  m., 
when  they  successively  parted,  and  she  soon  after  struck  and 
bilged  in  ten  feet  of  water.  There  were  on  board  six  hands,  and 
twenty-two  passengers.  With  much  peril,  a  man  at  length 
reached  the  (bore,  eight  rods  from  the  boat,  rallied  the  inhabit- 
ants, built  fires,  and  in  the  morning  a  line  was  passed  to  the 
shore,  and  the  whole  company  on  board  were  safely  drawn 
ashore  in  a  three-hushel  basket,  rigged  upon  a  line,  with  a  Dutch 
harness.  Captain  Vaughan  was  the  last  one  to  leave  the  wreck, 
which  went  to  pieces  during  the  day.  She  was  owned  by  S.  & 
L.  Denison,  of  Sackets  Harbor,  and  proved  a  total  loss.  This 
wreck  occurred  at  Nutting's  Bay,  on  the  coast  of  Henderson. 

The  Sophia,  Robbins,  Black  Hawk  (afterward  the  Dolphip), 
Brownville  (afterwards  the  William  Jivery),  Charles  Carroll, 
(afterwards  the  jjmenca), and  Paul  Pry,  were  steamers  on 
the  lake  and  river,  built  at  an  early  period  end  previous  to 
1834. 

On  the  28th  of  January,  1831,  an  act  was  passed  constituting 
Joseph  Denison  and  his  associates  a  corporate  body,  under  the 
name  of  the  Ontario  and  St,  Lavorence  Steam  Boat  Company, 
with  a  capital  of  $100,000,  and  limited  in  duration  to  May  1st, 
]850.  The  owners  of  the  Ontario  and  Martha  Ogden,  hereto- 
fore employed  in  navigating  the  lake  and  river,  'were  entitled  to 
the  amount  of  the  appraised  value  of  those  boats.  The  affairs  of 
the  company  were  to  be  managed  by  fifteen  directors,  of  whom 
the  first  were  to  be  Joseph  Denison,  Edward  BronSon,  Gerrit 
Smith,  Elias  Trowbridge,  Theopilus  S.  Morgan,  Richard  L. 
De  Zeng,  Horatio  N.  Walton,  Josinh  T.  Marshall,  John  T. 
Trowbridge,  Frederick  Bushnell,  Elisha  Camp,  Jacob  Arnold, 
William  Baron,*  John  C.  Bush,  and  Samuel  Denison.  The  stock- 
holders were  jointly  and  severally  liable  for  the  d^bts  contracted 

*  *'BueB,*'  ia  tht  Mt{  probtUy  WiUiam  Smm. 


Steam  J^avigation  on  Lake  Ontario, 


363 


by  the  corporation,  and  persons  having  demands  against  the 
company  might  sue  any  stockholder  or  director  for  the  recovery 
of  the  same.  The  place  of  business  of  the  company  was  to  be 
fixed  at  Oswego,  and  its  transactions  limited  solely  to  the  navi- 
gal  ion  of  the  Ontario  and  River  St.  Lawrence.  This  company  built 
at  Ogdensburgh  the  steamer  United  States,  which  for  size  and 
amount  of  accommodation,  far  surpassed  any  boat  that  had  been 

Sreviously  run  by  Americans  on  this  water.  She  was  launched  in 
November,  1831,  and  came  out  on  htr  first  trip  July  1st,  1832, 
under  the  command  of  Eiias  Trowbridge.  Her  dimensions  were 
as  follows:  length,  142  feet;  width,  26  feet  beam,  and  55  feet 
overall;  depth  of  hold  10  feet;  engines,  low  pressure,  with  a 
40  inch  cylinder  and  8  feet  stroke.  Cost,  $56,000.  She  con- 
tinued running  on  the  through  line,  from  Ogdensburgh  to  Lew- 
iston,  till  1838,  when,  having  become  obnoxious  to  the  Canadians 
from  the  use  made  of  her  at  the  affair  at  the  Wind-mill,  near 
Prescott,  she  was  run  upon  the  lake  only  afterwards,  until  1843, 
when  she  was  broken  up  at  Oswego,  and  her  engines  transferred 
to  the  Rochester. 

The  following  boats  have  since  been  built  on  this  lake: 

Oswego,  at  that  place,  1833,  286  tons.  After  running  six 
years  her  engines  were  transferred  to  the  St,  Lawrence. 

Jack  Douming,  built  at  Carthage  in  1834,  by  Paul  Boy./oh, 
and  drawn  on  wheels  to  Sackets  Harbor — very  small.  Aft"r- 
wards  a  ferry  boat. 

Oneida,  of  227  tons,  built  at  Oswego  in  1836;  A.  Smith  first 
master;  owned  by  Henry  Fitzhugh  of  Oswego,  £.  B.  Allen  and 
G.'  N.  Seymour  of  Ogdensburgh.  In  1845  fitted  up  as  a  sail  ves- 
sel, and  lost  at  Lake  Erie. 

Telegraph,  196  tons,  built  at  Dexter,  in  1836;  owned  by 
parties  at  Utica,  Watertown  and  Sackets  Harbor;  afterwards 
changed  to  a  sail  vessel,  and  burnt  on  Lake  St.  Clair. 

Express,  built  at  Pultneyville,  in  1839 — H.  N.  Throop,  first 
master  and  part  owner.     Laid  up  in  1850. 

St.  Lawrence,  402  tons,  enrolled  at  Oswego,  in  1839;  rebuilt 
in  1844,  and  increased  to  434  tons;  cost  $50,000.  Laid  t;  „ 
Clayton,  in  1850.    Length  180  feet,  beam  23  feet,  hold  11  feet. 

George  Clinton  and  President,  small  boats,  built  at  Oswego, 
about  1842. 

John  Marshall,  a  small  steamer  wrecked  in  a  storm  off 
the  mouth  of  Sandy  Creek,  October  18,  1844.  Several  other 
boats,  of  minor  class,  have  at  various  times  run  upon  the  lake 
arii!  "^l  Lawrence  River. 

.  orporation  that  built  the  steamer  United  States,  never 
attei  pted  any  other  boat.  About  1842,  a  stock  company,  styled 
the  Ontario  Steam  and  Canal  Boat  Companyt  was  formed  at 


I 


' 


i';1i 


364 


Steam  Navigation  on  Lake  Ontario, 


Oswego,  and  in  that  year  built  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  of  4?3 
tons,  which  was  used  on  the  through  line  until  1852,  when  she 
was  chartered  n«  a  ferry,  from  Cape  Vincont  to  Kingston,  in 
connec  '  I  itVi  tV>.  lail  road.  She  was  the  first  American  boat 
on  ^^i  -  watf,    •     h  stete-rooras  on  the  upper  deck. 

The  Rocnester  was  built  at  Oswego,  by  the  same  company,  in 
l^l*),  of  364  tons,  and  run  on  the  through  line  till  1848,  since 
which  she  has  run  from  Lewihton  to  Hamilton. 

The  Magara,  of  433  tons,  built  at  French  Creek,  by  the  ^t. 
Lawrence  Steam  Boat  Comjtf^i',  which  had  been  formed  soon 
after  that  at  Oswego.  Vl.iu  uoat  is  sl'U  in  use  in  the  American 
Mail  Line;  has  a  length  of  182  feet;  beam,  21\  feet;  total 
breadth,  47  feet;  depth  of  hold,  7^  feet.  The  engine  was  built 
at  the  Archimedes  Works,  in  New  York,  and  has  a  cylinder  40 
inches  in  diameter,  with  11  feet  stroke;  wheels,  30  feet  in 
diameter. 

The  Cataract,  built  at  Clayton,  in  1847,  measures  677  tons; 
length  of  keel,  202  feet;  breadth  of  beam,  27^  feet;  across  the 
guards,  48  feet;  depth  of  hold,  10  feet;  wheels,  30  feet  in  di- 
ameter. Engines,  oy  H.  R.  Dunham  &  Co.,  Archimedes  Works, 
New  York;  cylinder  44  inches  in  diameter,  and  a  stroke  of  11 
feet;  cost  about  $60,000.  Commanded,  in  1847-8,  by  James 
Van  Cleve;  in  1849-51,  by  R.  B.  Chapman,  and  'n  1852-3,  by 
A.  D.Kilby. 

Ontario,  was  built  in  1847,  at  Clayton.  Extreme  length, 
240i  feet;  breadth  of  beam,  32  feet,  and  over  all,  64 §  feet; 
depth  of  hold,  12  feet.  Engine,  by  T.[F.  Secor  &  Co.,  New 
York;  cylinder,  50  inches  in  ''  ameter,  and  11  feet  stroke.  Ton- 
nage, 900.    Cost,  $80,000. 

Bay  State,  built  at  Clayton,  and  came  out  on  her  lirst  trip  in 
June,  1849,  with  James  Van  Cleve,  master,  the  first  season. 
She  has  a  tonnage  of  9'^5,  and  the  following  dimensions,  viz: 
Length,  222  f.et;  breat.  a  of  beam,  31|  feet,  and  over  all,  58 
feet;  depth  of  hold,  12  ftet.  Engines  from  Archimedes  Works, 
New  York,  with  cylinder  56  inches  in  diameter,  and  11  feet 
stroke.     V^'Iioels,  32  feet  in  diameter 

The  JVortherner,  built  at  Oswego,  by  G.  S.  Wee1<s,  and  came 
out  in  May,  1850.  Tonnagp,  905.  Lengin,  232  feet;  beam, 
30J  feet;  extreme  bread.      58  feet;  depth  of  hold,  12^  feet; 

"     ■     ~    "  Cost,  $95,000.     Engines,  by  T.F. 


oeter. 
ide 


60  inches  in  diameter,  and  11  feet 


wheels,  32  feet  ind-- 
Secor  &  Co.,  with 
stroke. 

The  JVew  York,  tiie  largest  steamer  on  the  lake,  was  built  in 
1851-2,  at  Clayton,  by  John  Oades,  the  builder  of  the  others  at 
this  place,  and  came  out  on  her  first  trip  in  August,  1852,  with 
R.  B.  Chapman,  master.    Tonnage,  994.    Length,  224  feet; 


lilt 


/. 


Steam  Navigation  on  Lake  Ontario. 


366 


beam,  33}  feet;  entire  breadth,  64  feet.  Engines,  b^  H.  R. 
Dunham  &  Co.,  of  New  York;  cylinder,  60  inches  in  diameter, 
and  12  feet  stroke.  Wheels,  64  feet  in  diameter,  and  cost  about 
$100,000. 

In  i|848,  the  two  companies  above  named,  which  were  gener- 
ally styled  TheUtica  Company,  and  the  St  Lawrence  Com- 
pany, united  into  one,  and  assumed  the  name  of  the  Ontario 
and  St.  Lawrence  Steam  Boat  Company,  having  a  capital  of 
$750,000,  and  the  following  officers:  E.  B.  Allen,  president; 
E.  B.  Allen,  O.  N.  Seymour,  H.  Van  Rensselaer,  A.  Chapman, 
£.  O.  Merrick,  8.  Buckley,  H.  Fitzhugh,  A.  Munson,  T.  S.  Fax- 
ton,  H.  White,  L.  Wright,  directors;  and  James  Van  Cleve, 
tecretary  and  treasurer. 

This  company  is  the  owner  of  eleven  steamers,  in  daily  use 
during  the  summer  season,  as  follows: 

Express  Line,  from  Jgdensburgh  to  Lewiston  direct,  touching 
at  Clayton  and  Cape  Vincent,  a  daily  line  of  two  steamers,  from 
May  till  October,  viz:  Bay  State,  Captain  John  Ledyard,  and 
JS^ew  York,  Captain  R.  B.  Chapman. 

Mail  Line,  from  Ogdensburgh  to  Lewiston,  touching  at  Pres- 
cott,  Morristown,  Brockville,  Alexandria  Bay,  Clayton,  Kings- 
ton, Sackets  Harbor,  Oswego,  Genesee  River  and  Lewiston.  A 
daily  line  of  three  steamers,  viz:  Cataract,  Captain  A.  D. 
Kilby;  JViagara,  Captain  G.  B.  Estes;  Ontario,  Captain  H.N. 
Throop.  In  1852,  the  steamer  JVorthemer,  Captain  R.  F.  Child, 
iormed  one  of  this  line. 

»  The  American  Line,  from  Ogdensburgh  to  Montreal  daily, 
viz:  British  Queen,  Captain  J.  La  Flamme;  British  Empire, 
<^'aptain  D.  S.  Allen;  Jenny  Lind,  Captain  L.  Moody.  'From 
Cape  Vincent  to  Kingston,  The  Lady  of  the  Lake,  Captain  Root. 
From  Lewiston  to  Hamilton,  the  Rochester,  Captain  I.  Mason. 

In  safety,  regularity  and  despatch,  these  boats  will  com- 
pare with  those  on  any  inland  wat'  r  in  the  Union;  and  such 
has  been  the  skill  and  care  exercised  in  their  nsnagement, 
that  not  a  single  life  has  been  lost,  or  injury  to  pa^^engers 
occurred  from  accident,  upon  these,  or  any  of  the  steamers 
owned  and  run  upon  the  American  side  of  the  lake.  The  me- 
lancholy accident  tliat  befel  the  Ocean  Wave,  a  boat  with  a 
British  license,  nnd  running  in  connection  with  the  Northern 
Rail  Road,  in  the  spring  of  1853,  is  entirely  without  parallel 
upon  this  lake,  and  was  said  to  be  due  to  a  faulty  construction. 
The  multiplied  means  of  safety  which  are  provided,  according 
to  law,  upon  these  boats,  would  do  much  to  prevent  the  tragic 
results,  which,  with  the  exemplary  care  exercised,  could  scarcely 
happen.  The  steamers  upon  this  lake  are  characterized  for  the 
perfection,  neatness  and  convenience  of  their  arrangements,  and 


I: 


V 


d 


i    ■ 

4      I 

V 

I 


II 


' 


lit! 


i  P 


i  I 


Mi 


iimlM 


m 


II 


'■^t 


3S6 


Steam  Navigation  on  Lake  Ontario. 


the  attracth  e  scenery  upon  their  routed;  nnd  the  thronff  of  plea- 
sure-seeking tourists  that  pass  up  and  down  the  St.  Lawrence 
during  the  summer  season,  is  constantly  increasing. 

The  steamer  Day  State,  during  the  season  of  1852,  run  47,310 
miles,  equal  to  sixteen  times  across  the  Atlantic,  anil  her  wheels 
performed  6,000,000  of  revolutions.  No  accidents  or  delays,  what- 
ever, occurred.  The  duty,  performed  by  the  other  boats,  would 
doubtless  compare  with  this. 

No  opportunity  has  occurred  to  collect  the  statistics  of  steam 
navigation,  upon  the  Canadian  side  of  the  lake. 

The  Passport,  Magnet,  Maple  Leaf,  New  Era,  Arabian,  Lord 
Elgin,  St.  Lawrence,  Boston,  and  other  boats,  were  running  upon 
regular  lines^  in  1853,  some  of  them  from  Montreal  to  Hamilton, 
and  the  Champion^  Highlander  and  May  Flower,  formed  a  daily 
line  between  (Jape  VincenW  and  Hamilton,  touching  at  the  prin- 
cipal ports  on  the  north  shore  of  the  lake. 

The  Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road,  and  the  Northern  Rail 
Road,  have  each  lines  of  propellers  running  to  the  Upper  Lakes, 
connecting  with  freight  trains,  and  afToiding  families  of  emigrants 
to  the  western  country,  a  cheap  and  convenient  mode  of  passage. 

In  accordance  with  a  law  of  Congress,  passed  March  3,  1849, 
sail  vessels  on  the  northern  lakes  are  required  to  display  in  the 
night  time  a  red  light,  if  on  the  starboard  tack;  a  green  one,  if 
on  the  larboard,  and  vessels  going  off  large  or  before  the  wind,  a 
white  light.  Steam  boats  and  propellers  are  required  to  carry  by 
night,  a  triangular  light,  with  red  glass  on  the  larboard,  and  green 
on  the  starboard  side,  with  reflectors,  and  of  sufTicient  size  to 
give  a  good  light.  A  failure  to  observe  these  regulations,  renders 
the  parties  liable  to  all  damage  resulting,  and  a  fine  of  $100. 

The  exemption  from  accident,  which  these  steamers  have 
hitherto  enjoyed,  may  be  ascribed,  in  part,  to  the  excellence  of 
their  construction,  and,  in  part,  to  the  direct  interest  of  the  officers 
of  the  boats  in  their  safe  management,  from  their  pecuniary  in- 
terest invested  in  them.  A  submarine  railway  at  Ogdensburgh, 
now  constructing,  is  destined  to  confer  great  benefits  upon  the 
navigation  of  the  lake,  by  affording  the  means  for  taking  the 
largest  class  of  steamers  and  vessels  out  of  the  water  for  repairs. 


M 


Statittica  qf  Population  and  Retouroet, 


857 


CHAPTER  VI. 

STATISTICS  CF  POPULATION  AND  RES01RCE8. 

The  following  table  gives  the  results  of  the  several  censuses, 
taken  bv  order  of  the  state  and  general  governments,  since  the 
first  settlement  of  the  county.  Ttie  returns  for  1807  give  the 
number  of  legal  voters,  with  property  qualifications,  only.  In 
1801  there  were  76  voters  in  Cnaropion,  and  134  in  Watertown. 


TowHi. 


AdUDM 

AltJiiuidria. . . 

Aniwtrp 

BrownvUle. . , 
Cape  Viiioeut. 
Clmmpion ... 

Clayio.n 

Eili»l)ar|h . . . 
Heiidnnon... 
Houmbfield  . . 

ImVLhy 

Lorraine 

Lyme 

Orlcan* 

Patnelia 

Fhiladclphla . 

Rodman 

Rutland 

Theresa 

Waiertown. . . 

Wiliia 

Worth 


1607. 


163 


181 


06 
138 

'na 

133 
161 


936 
936 


931 


1810. 


1,376 


1,663 
1,481 


1,73S 
Ij.'MS 

tM3 
1,190 

813 


1,977 
1,738 


1,841 


1814. 


1,603 


3(13 
1,037 


1,001 


933S 

1.40!2 

1.3H6 

1,180 

810 


1,464 
1,694 


9,4S8 
961 


1890. 


9,461 


1.310 
3,000 


3oeo 


3.3,31 
1,010 
3480 
9  044 
I  113 
1,791 


1.349 

890 

1,734 

1,046 


9,870 
61S 


Total 1,963  1»,I43  lS,a(l4  33.9P9  41.041  48  49S  Sl.798  60,640  61,000  66,449 


1883. 


9.413 
1.343 
9337 
9,8£0 


9,096 


4,733 
9,074 
9,760 
9  530 
1,400 
9563 
3,341 
1,»H8 
690 
1,7I» 
9,109 


3,416 
1,196 


1830. 


9,003 
1.593 
9.419 
9,038 


9.349 


3,909 
9,49s 
3,413 
3.430 
1,797 
9,879 
3101 
9.963 
1,167 
1.001 
9,330 


4,768 
1,009 


less. 


3  070 
3,701 
9GI4 
9,800 


9.400 
3314 
6U90 
2,070 
3,336 
3066 
1,613 
3.616 
9,(M4 
3,339 
1.010 
1,606 
2,111 


4,979 
9,C53 


1640. 


9,000 
3,470 
3,1(J0 
3,068 


3306 
3,000 
3.340 
9,480 
4.140 
3,791 
1.600 
3,479 
3.001 
9,104 
1969 
1.703 
9,000 


3037 
3,301 


1S43. 


3,053 
3.711 

3  nfu 

4,390 


9,146 
4,083 
3,331 
9,343 
3,017 
3,833 
1,H40 
0.01  i« 
3.047 
9,934 
1049 
1,684 
9,148 
9,100 
8.439 
9,714 


1830. 

3.100 
3.169 

a,(ira 

4,393 
3,044 
9,«!-a 
4!l01 
3  399 
3.330 
4,140 
3,094 
1.3U 
9,033 
3,469 
9.398 

i.ais 

1.7«4 

:9.96S 

9,310 

-,903 

9.l>03 
390 


The  grades  of  qualification  in  1801,  in  the  two  towns 
then  comprising  the  county,  were  as  follows:  Champion,  worth 
JCIGO  and  upwards,  one;  worth  less  than  j£20,  but  renting  pro- 
perty  worth  40s.  per  ann.,75.  Watertown,  worth  JEIOO  and  up- 
wards, two;  vorth  less  than  je20,  but  renting  property  worth  40 «. 
per  annum,  132.    In  1807  the  result  was  as  follows: 


TOWHB. 

AdatTiS 

BrownvUle...... 

Champion 

Elliaburgh 

Harrison 

Henderson 


£100. 

£20-100. 

10  ». 
132 

25 

6 

34 

24 

123 

138 

38 

6 

88 

4 

4 

146 

70 

20 

57 

49 

22 

Towns  . 

Houndsfield . . 

Le  Ra^ 

Malta 

Rutland 

Watertown  . . 
Total.... 


£100. 

£20-100. 

47 

0 

36 

22 

18 

3 

193 

21 

54 

6 

835 

219 

40  f. 


The  census  of  1810,  gave.the  following  returns  of  manufqictures 
in  this  county: 


i!ii; 


!H 


:fi: 


K.    'fi!.; 


,!"■ 


'-h 


S6B 


•,%»■ 


Sti:ttgtici> 


^'h,  ii 


Cotton  goods  made  in  ftmilies,  vardd  (av.  32  ots.),. 
Flaxen  goods  made  in  families,  yds.  (av.  37)  cts.),. . . . 

Blended  and  unnamed  cloths,  yds.  (av.  35  cts.), 

Woolen  goods  made  in  families,  yds.  (av.  87i  cts.),. . . 
Looms,. 


1,393 

106,623 

1,475 

51,013 

660 

35,000 

40,000 

1,000 

50 

9 

16 

9,650 

32,000 

25,600 

900 


Carding  machines  5,  pounds  carded  (av.  50  cts.  per  lb.), 

Fulling  mills  8,  yards  fulled  (av.  $1-25  per  yd), 

Hattenes  2,  hats  made  (av.  $2-50), 

Furnaces  2,  tons  of  iron  (av.  from  $100  to  $120  per  ton),. 

Trip  hammers, •  • 

Tanneries, ^ 

Hides  tanned  750  (av.  $4*25  each),  calfskins  1,000  (&v.  $M2  each.) 

Oil  mills  3,  gallons  made  (av.  $1-25), 

Distilleries  16,  gallons  made  (av.  80  cts.), 

Breweries  2,  gallons  made  (av.  17  cts.), 

Paper  mills  1,  reams  made  (av.  $3.), > 

The  census  of  1814,  taken  in  pursuance  of  an  act  passed 
Apri)  15,  of  that  year,  gave  the  following  results: 

Total  population  in  the  thirteen  towns, 18,564 

Electors,  with  freeholds  of  the  value  of  £100, , 1,039 

Electors,  with  freeholds  worth  from  £20  to  £100, 107 

Electors,  not  freeholders,  renting  tenements  worth  40«.  per  ann.,  1,641 

Free  white  males,  under  IG  years  of  age, . .  5,367 

Free  white  males,  of  the  age  of  18  and  under  45, 3,376 

Free  white  males,  of  45  years  and  upwards, < .  716 

Free  white  females,  under  18  years, .5,204 

Free  white  females,  of  the  age  of  18  and  under  45, 2,954 

Free  white  females,  of  45  years  and  upwards 700 

All  other  free  persons, 217 

£!{ave«(Brownville  1,  Houndsfield  18,  Le  Ray  4,  Watertown  5, 

Wilna2), •. 30 

No  statistics  but  those  of  population  were  taken  at  this  time. 
The  national  census  of  1820,  gave  the  following  returns: 

3,005 


White  males  under  10,  ....  5,692 

White  males  from  10  to  16,  2,459 

«♦          "        "      16  to  18,  700 

"  «•        «      16  to  26, 

includ'g  heads  of  families,  3,831 

White  males  from  26  to  45, 

includ'gheads  of  families,  4,143 
White  males,  45  and  upw'ds, 

includ'g  heads  of  families,  1,574 

White  females  under  10,  ..  5,521 

White  females  from  10  to  16,  2,397 
«'     '    «          "    16  to  26, 


includ'g  heads  of  families. 
White  females  from  26  to  45, 

includ'g  heeds  of  families,  3,040 
White  females  of  45  and  up- 
wards, including  heads  of 

fi«milies,  1,250 

Foreigners  not  naturalized,.  787 

Persons  eng'd  in  agriculture,  134 

"         "      manufactures,  1,603 

Slaves  (Antwerp  4,  Le  Ray  1)  5 

Colored  males,  free, .......  79 

Colored  females,  free 63 


Statistics  of  agriculture  and  manufactures  were  taken  in 
1820,  but  we  are  not  aware  that  they  were  printed  in  detail  by 
separate  counties. 

The  several  state  censuses,  taken  in  1825,  1835,  and  1845, 
give  the  following  numbers  of  the  different  classes  of  population, 
and  statistics  of  agriculture  and  manufaetu    -^  in  this  county. 


Mar.  feiR. 
Vnmar.  " 


Statiitict. 


359 


Male*, 

FemalM, 

Sub't  Mil'y  duty, 

Voters 

AUens, 

Panpen, 

Col.  penona  not  taxed, 
"       «'    taied, 
"       '•    voters^ 
Mar.  fern,  under  4S, 
Uomar.  "      16-45,. 

"  "  under  10, 
Mar.  year  previoui ,. . 
Birtba  male*,    " 

«'  frmalei, "  ... 
Deaths malef,    '*.... 

"  females,".... 
Asres  improved  land. 

Neat  cattle, 

HoraeM, 


1835. 

1S35. 

81,832 

97,140 

19,818 

25,808 

6,060 

4669 

8,153 

10,498 

1,030 

1,7)8 

187 

89 

153 

195 

IS 

U 

8 

•  •  ••  ■ 

5,490 

6,918 

2,V43 

4,063 

0,657 

11,992 

332 

395 

069 

1,068 

000 

1,017 

281 

355 

SIS 

378 

173,147 

958.348 

44,rj0 

70,737 

8,072 

16.813 

04,999 

33,334 

6,803 

13,772 

2,040 

147 

168 

9 

6 

.8,399 

5,4^-5 

13,495 

749 

1,203 

1,025 

354 

430 

386.789 

85,934 

10,39' 


Sheep 

Hogs, 

Yd*,  fulled  cl.yr.  pre 

"  flannel  &c 

"  linen,  coiton  tie. 

Gristmills, 

(taw  mills 

Oil  milU, 

Fulling  mills 

Carding  machines... . 

Cotton  factories, 

Woolen  factories, 

Iron  works, 

Trip-hammers, 

Distilleries, 

Asheries, 

Tanneries, 

Glass  factories, 

Rope  factories, 

Breweries, 


1885. 


96,408 

38,290 

76,814 

101,122 

130,2;i9 

54' 

107 

4 

34 

39 

3 

a 

IB 

7 

30 

149 


1835.      184S. 


114,371 

57.696 

77.043 

09,438 

08,055 

47 

134 

3 

28 

27 

9 

0 

10 

12 

13 

43 

30 

1 

1 

3 


184,536 

53,068 

80,135 

113,104 

70,304 

54 

168 

9 

96 

fe 

9 

la 

81 

u 

6 

""49 
1 

9 

« 


'J 


The  census  of  1830  and  1840  gave  the  following  returns  from 
Jeiferson  County: 


1830. 

1840. 

Males. 

Females. 

Males. 

Females. 

IVh'fAM  iinHfir  •)«  •••>•...•.• 

4,361 

3,901 

3,211 

2,599 

4,376 

3,042 

1,872 

1,030 

474 

195 

47 

2 

2 

65 

4,074 

3,698 

3,053 

2,716 

4,152 

2,440 

1,641 

830 

417 

176 

4 

4 

•  •  ■  • 

74 

4,855 

4,615 

3,907 

3,647 

5,083 

3,687 

2,606 

1,567 

838 

351 

79 

11 

•  •  •  • 

70 

4,638 
4,217 
3,623 
3,677 

«       6  to  10 

«      10   "  15 

u      15   ««  20 

«      20    "  30 

5531 

M      30   **  40 

3,462 
2,184 

a      40   ««  50 

-      50    "   60 

1,408 
727 

"      fiO    •*   70... 

«      70   "   80 

299 

«      80   "  90. 

«      90   «100.   ..i 

"      over  100  

96 

7 

Colored  pereons 

71 

From  the  census  of  1840,  we  derive  the  following: 


iron — Cast  iron  furnaces, 

6 J  tons. .«••.•«•••••        1,166 
Forges — mill,  1 ;  tons . .  80 

Tens  of  fuel  consumed 

in  furnaces 1,869 

Men  employed 256 

Capital  invested $59,000 

Lewi— Smelting  house,  1; 

pounds 300,000 

Capital  invested,  o $10,000 

JFbFMt— Value  of  lumber.  $247,448 
Tons  pot  and  pearlasb.       1,006 


Vnlue  of  furs  and  skins 
Other  products  of  the 

forest 

Men  employed « 

JUanufadurts  — Machinery 

made 

Men  employed 

Manufactures  of  motal . 

Men  employed 

Marble,  value 

Bricks  and  limo 

Men  en.ployed' 


I*  «  I  •  tt  •  •  • 


$25 

$15,854 
131 

$35,000 

48 

$22,000 

'  18 

$30 

$11,732 

32 


\mi 


m 


■•■  i 


|-*-'4(f-* 


I-  i. 


!'S(Ji 


360 


Statiiticg. 


Total  mnnufact'ing  cap- 
ital   

]Too2— Fulling  mills 

Woolen  innnufactoriea. 

Value  manufactured . . . 

Persons  employed 

Capital  invested 

CoMon— Factories,  1 ;  s|)in- 
dles 

Value  manufactured . . . 

Persons  employed 

Capital  invested 

Tobacco — Manufactured . . 

Persons  employed 

Hals,fyc. — Value  niauufnc- 

turcd 

Value  straw  bonnets. . . 

Persons  employed 

Capital  invested 

Letdher — Tanneries 

Sides   of  sole    leather 
tanned 

Sides  of  upper  leather 
tanned 

Men  em|>Ioyed 

Capital  invested 

Other  manufac.  leather 

Value  manufactured. . . 

Capital  invested 

Soap  and  Candles— Pouada 
of  soap 

Tallow  candles,  lbs. . . . 

Men  employed 

Capital  invested 

DislUled  and  FermttUed  Li- 
quora — Distilleries... . 

Gallons  produced 

Breweries 


$14,301 

22 

11 

$205,300 

292 

$273,800 

1,000 

$16,000 

40 

$10,000 

$1,000 

3 

$13,350 
$),000 

32 
$7,000 

31 

10,448 

22,340 

143 

$88,200 

29 

$98,800 

$19,400 

19,700 

34,640 

5 

$3,000 

9 
313,344 

b 


Gallons  produced 64,000 

Men  employed 31 

Capitol  invested $37,500 

Medicinal  Drugs,  Paints,ffe    $1,500 

Paper — Manufactory,   1; 

value  made $10,000 

Printing,  ifc, — OfBces...  4 

Binderies f  •  1 

Weekly  papers 5 

Men  employed 28 

Capital  invested $15,300 

Cordage — Rope  walk,  1; 

value  made $8,000 

Men  employed 5 

>Carrut|^e«,^e— Value  m'de  |$44,400 

Men  employed 76 

Capital  invested $20,150 

MUls — Flouring  mills ....  8 

Barrels  of  flour  made. .     11,900 

Gristmill 34 

Sawmills 109 

•Oil  Mills 4 

Vclne  of  manufactures  $299,514 

Men  employed J77 

Capitrl  invested $194,200 

Fumuure — Value  made..   $24^250 

Men  employed 42 

Capital  invested $9,340 

Houses — Built    of  wood 

year  previous 147 

Brick  and  stone  houses  fi3 

Men  employed 318 

Value  of  buildings ....  $223,790 

All  other  manufactures  not 

enumerated $74,493 

Capital  invested ......    $22,358 

Total  manufacturing  ca'p- 

ital $721,249 


The  census  of  1845  gave  many  details,  for  which  the  former 
ones  afford  no  means  of  comparison,  viz: 

Natives  of  New  York, 50,582 


u 
u 

M 


M 
« 


New  England,..  7,528 

"  Other  Stotes,...  557 
"  Gr.   Britain  and 

provinces,....  4,209 

"  France, 424 

"  Germany, 425 

Natives  of  other  Europeon 

Counties, 99 

Children,  between  5and  16,  18,619 

**        attend.  Com.  Sch.  15,659 

"           "       Priv.    "  623 

«           "       Academ..  73 

•*          •*       Colleges,.  14 


Baptist Churche  >,..•• 

Episcopal 

Presbyterian 

Congregational 

Methodist 

Catholic 

Dutch  Reform. 

Unitarian 

Jewish 

Quakers 

Academies,  .... 

Common  Schools, 357 

Cost  of  Coram.  Schools,  $74,927-70 
"    *«  other  improvem.,  $3,041'10 


« 
(i 
(( 
II 
II 

u 
II 
II 
II 


19 
6 

16 
9 

24 
5 
3 
2 
1 
2 
1 


,;<««(f>> 


Statitticg. 


Yl ' 


361 


Piipil>,t •••<•'  •*•••*  •*••••  35.761 

Average  attendance,^ 9,'J86 

Priviite  Schools, 26 

"      Pupils, 620 

Mechanics, 3,369 

Attorneys, 48 

Physicians, 102 

Clergy, 106 


Salary,  ,,»,,,.,.\.i... $98,040-30 

Merchants, 200 

Maniifncturers, 2S3 

Farmers 11,002 

Inns, 118 

Wholesale  stores,. ...' 3 

Retail  stores, :.       161 

Groceries, 57 


Barley, 

Peas, 

JD6lin8j»  •  •  •  •    •  »  • 

Buck  Wheat, . . 
Turnips, 


ACRES. 


11,007 

10,079 

660 

2,882 

1.59 


BUSHELS. 


159,872 

153,374 

6,974 

42,128 

18,538 


ACRES. 


Wheot  Charv.;,'  32,949 

Corn, I  17,432 

Rye, 9,989 

Oats, 26,462 

Potatoes, '  8,028 


BCSHELS. 

421,819 

467,230 

55,457 

709,232 

1,235,139 


Flax,  1,106  acres.— 208.545  pounds. 

Cows  milked,  41,360.    Pounds  cf  Butter,  3,080,767.  Pounds  of  Cheese 
3,802,314. 

The  census  of  1850  not  having'  been  published,  we  are  una- 
ble to  give  more  than  the  following  statistics: 


Total  population 68,1.53 

Males 34,748 

Females 33,223 

Colored(m.90,  r.92),  182 

United  Slates  born. . .  60,28 1 

Foreign  born 7,872 

Deaths  year  prev.  JuiiC  1  572 

Marriages    "        "      "  773 

Averages  per  month . . .  $12 
Personb   over  20    who 

can  not  read 1,577 

Do.  foreigneri? t:99 


Dwelling  houses 11,926 

Families. 12,235 

Farms 5,500 

Mnnufnctiiring  capital,  $1,443,002 
Raw  material  used ....  $  1 ,452,345 

Value  of  product $2,657,9&3 

M.^-les  employed 2,094 

Females     "       391 

Nutrtber  of  churches. . .  89 
Number  of  children  at- 
tending schools 18,605 

Acres  of  improved  land  418,540 


Of  the  place  of  nativity  of  our  citizens,  the  census  of  1850 
gives  the  following: 


New  York 53,199 

Maine 88 

New  Hampshire     816 

Vermont.. 2,055 

Massachusetts . .  1,877 
Rhode  Island...  338 
Connecticut  ...  1,369 
New  Jersey....  169 
Pennsylvania...      163 

Delaware 8 

Maryland 14 

Dist.  Columbia..        8 


Virginia 11 

North  Carolina..  1 

South  Carolina . .  1 

Georgia 1 

Louisiana 3 

Ohio 60 

Michigan 42 

Illinois 27 

Other  states....  31 

h'ngland 1,047 

Ireland 3,546 

Scotland 284 


Wales 55 

Germany 585 

France 401 

Holland 3 

Italy 6 

Switzerland ....  65 

PruhHia 1 

British  America  3,830 

West  Indies....  1 

Othar  countries.  17 

Unknown 52 


The  following  list  of  revolutionary  pensioners,  and  (heir  wid" 
cws,  living  in  the  county,  in  1840,  wil'  be  read  with  interest. 


1    'I  i\ 


i 


'  V 


»     1  'I^  t 


Revolutionary  Petmonen. 

From  some  inadvertence,  Watertown  and  Champion  do  not 
occur  on  the  official  list  from  which  we  copy.  The  ages  and 
place  of  residence  of  each  are  given: 

Jldamt — ^Peter  Doxtater,  88;  Lucy  Thompson,  73;  Cynithia 
White,  77;  John  Merriam.  84;  Abel  Bassett,  80;  Danforth 
Doty,  86. 

Alexandria — George  Rappole,  89;  William  Garter,  83;  Dan- 
iel .Whorry,  76;  ikiith  Patten,  80;  Ephraim  Hogert,  84;  Peter 
Lutz,  76;  Abram  Newman,  81. 

Antwerp — Lydia  Turner,  76;  Noah  French,  86;  Martha 
Clark,  76;  Josiah  Drake,  78. 

Brotonville — John  Baxter,  88;  Walter  W^ilson,  86;  Selah 
Burton,  79;  David  Rimiston,  93;  John  P.  Beecher,  78.  , 

Clayton — Solomon  Ingalls,  90;  Hosea  Randolph,  7^,  Lydia 
Dixon,  86;  Amos  Richards,  82;  James  Bothell,  Bi;  Maiy  Da- 
vis, 73;  Abraham  Joy,  78;  James  Rankin,  83;  ThomiA  Fet- 
terly,  76. 

Ellisburgh — Solomon  Tracey,  81 ;  Jonathan  Fiah,  83 ;  Stepheu 
Lindsley,  81;  Mrs.  Deuse,  80;  Bryant  Eddy,  79;  Jonathan 
Matteson,  78;  Ri^fus  Richardson,  79;  Abel  Porter,  80;  Samuel 
Hubbard,  79;  James  Gault,  83;  Simeon  Russell,  84;  Samuel 
Mixer,  82;  Levi  Smith,  86;  Abiezar  Philips,  81;  Thomas 
Worden,  82;  Simeon  Russell,  89;  Ebenezer  Wallace,  79;  Ste- 
phen Hicks,  86;  Henry  H.  Fall,  90. 

Henderson  —  John  Pettiugell,  73;  Ebenezer.  Sawyer,  86; 
Abijah  Stickney,  82;  John  Carter,  78:  John  Morris,  81;  Ste- 
phen Hawkins,  82. 

Houndsfield — Jared  Olcott,  81;  Charles  Ripley,  76;  Sumner 
Adams,  66;  Solomon  Livermore,  78;  Anna  Dorchester,  79; 
Elias  Taylor,  72;  Thomas  Cole,  72;  Julius  Terrey,  64;  Ebene- 
zer Philips,  80. 

Le  iitfy— Timothy  Tamblin,  83;  Joel  Dodge,  79;  Hiel 
Truesden,  78;  Ezekiel  Lyman,  80;  William  Rogers,  83;  Han- 
nah Harwick,  81;  Elizabeth  Ainstcd,  74;  Elisha  Scofield, — . 

Lorraine — ^Jacob  Weaver,  83;  Benjamin  Fletcher,  80;  Caleb 
Tift,  81. 

Lyme — Samuel  J.  Mills,  81;  Jacob  H.  Oveij,  83;  Nicholas 
Smith,  86;  Prudence  Hodges,  7*^^;  Lucretia  Marsh,  84;  Felix 
Powell,  77. 

Orleans — ^Joseph  Rhodes,  78;  Adolphus  Picket,  79;  William 
Colins,  80;  John  Monk,  89;  Moses  Limon,  78;  Elizabeth  Rix- 
ford,  76;  Nicholas  Smith,  86;  Elizabeth  Bairet,  80;  Caleb 
Willis.  78;  M.  Contreman,  70. 

Pame/ia— J.  Gloyd,  85. 

Philadelphia — Editha  Taylor,  84;  James  Hewitt,  77;  Jona- 
than Carr,  83;  Isaac  Hurd,  79.         "  ,•  .-■-w;,^:  ,;i?:»,^^..;;::::.:Z:;;^.. .; 


Pogt  Houtes. 


363 


Rodvmn — Ephraisn  Wright.  73?  To^r.  Russell j  Elijah  Mcin- 
tosh, 78. 

Rutland — Mary  I>arney,  74;  Samuel  Dunham,  88. 

Wilna — Peter  Brown,  88;  Stephen  Shew,  79;  Josiah  Hurl- 
bert,  79;  Solomon  Cleaveland,  86. 

Very  few  of  the  above  persons  are  now  living,  and  the  last 
will  soon  have  disappeared  from  among  us. 

Post  Routes  in  the  County,  and  Dates  of  Formation^  by  Acts  of 

Congress. 

Jipril  21, 1806.  From  Harrisbureh,  through  Williamstown 
(De  Kalb),Ogdensburgh,  Potsdam,  Cbateaugay,  to  Plattsburgh. 
From  Rome,  through  RedBeld,  Adams,  by  Smith's  Mills,  to 
Sackets  Harbor,  and  from  thence  to  Chemangh? 

.4pn7  28,  1810.  From  Utica,  by  Whitestown,  Rome,  Cam- 
den, Adams,  and  Sackets  Harbor,  to  Brownville.  From  Utica, 
by  Trenton,  Steuben,  Leyden,  Turin,  Lowville,  Harrisburgh,  Ox 
BoWjDe  Kalb,  Canton,  Ogdensburgh,  Lisbon,  Hamilton  (Wad- 
dington),  Madrid,Potsdam,  Chesterfield  (Lawrence), Malone  and 
Chetango  (Cbateaugay),  to  Plattsburgh.  From  Harrisburgh,  by 
Champion,  Watertown,  and  Brownville,  to  Port  Putnam. 

April  30,  1816.  From  Williamstown,  by  Richland,  Ellis- 
burgh,  and  Henderson,  to  Sackets  Harbor.  From  Brownville  to 
Cape  Vincent. 

April  20,  IS  18.    From  Denmark,  by  Le  Raysville,  to  Wilna. 

March  3,  1821.  From  Turin,  by  Harrisburgh,  Copenhagen, 
Tylerville,  Pinckney,  and  Rodman,  to  Adams.  From  Water- 
town,  by  Le  Raysville,  to  Antwerp. 

May  8,  1822.  From  Champion  to  Alexandria,  by  Felt's 
Mills,  Le  Raysville,  Evans'  Mills,  Theresa  and  Plessis. 

March  3,  1825.  From  Watertown,  by  Adams  and  Manns- 
ville,  to  Sandy  Creek,  and  from  thence,  by  Richland,  &c.,  to 
Syracuse. 

March  2,  1827.  From  Ellisburgh,  by  Smithville,  to  Sackets 
Harbor. 

May  24,  1828.  From  Watertown,  by  Evans'  Mills,  Phila- 
delphia, Antwerp,  Gouverneur,  De  Kalb,  and  Heuville,  to  Og- 
densburgh. 

June  15,  1832.  From  W^atertown,  by  Brownville,  La  Farge- 
ville,to  Cornelia,  at  the  mouth  of  French  Creek;  thence,  by  De- 
pauville,  to  Brownville.  From  Heuville,  by  De  Peyster,  to  Ox 
Bow. 

July  2,  1836.     From  Watertown,  by  Burrville,  to  Rodman. 
From  Carthage,  through  Great  Bend,  Le  Raysville,  Felt's  Mills, 
Lockport,  and  Huntington's  Mills,  to  Watertowh.     From  The- 
resa, by  the  Glass  Works  and  South  Hammond,  to  Hammond. 
24 


II 


I 


1.5:1 
'I 

iw 

m 


^1 


364 


Po9t  Officeg. 


July  7,  1838.  From  New  Haven,  by  Port  Ontario  and  Lind- 
seyville,  to  £llisburgh. 

August  31,  1842.  From  North  Adams,  through  Field's  Set- 
tlement, to  Watertown. 

March  3,  1845.    From  Wilna,  by  Natural  Bridge,  to  Diana. 

March  3,  1847.  From  Antwerp,  by  Shingle  Creek,  Fowler, 
Fullerville,  Edwards,  and  Russell,  to  Canton. 

August  14,  1848.  From  Copenhagen,  by  Boynton's  Corners, 
Worthville,  and  Jacksonville,  to  Lorraine.  From  La  Farge- 
ville,  by  Sbantyville,  Parker  Settlement,  Theresa,  Ox  Bow,  and 
Wegatchie,  to  Gouverneur. 

September  27,  1850.  From  Pierrepont  Manor  to  Sackets 
Harbor,  by  rail  road.  From  Adams  Centre  to  Sackets  Harbor, 
on  the  direct  road.  From  Natural  Bridge  to  Diana.  From 
Evans'  Mills  to  Ox  Bow.  From  Lowville,  by  Harrisburgh  and 
Pinckney,  to  Rodman. 

March  3, 1851.  From  Great  Bend,  by  Evaas'  Mills,  to  French 
Creek  (Clayton). 

Post  Offices. — The  following  is  a  list  of  the  post  offices  now 
existing  in  the  several  towns  in  Jefferson  County: 

Adams.  Adams,  Adams  Centre,  Appling,  North  Adams, 
Smithville  (on  line  of  Henderson). 

Alexandria.  Alexandria,  Alexandria  Centre,  Plessis,  Redwood. 

Antwerp.    Antwerp,  Bentley's  Corners,  Ox  Bow. 

Broumville.  Brownville,  Dexter,  Limerick,  Perch  River, 
Pillar  Point. 

Cape  Vincent.    Cape  Vincent,  Millen's  Bay,  Saint  Lawrence. 

Champion.    Champion,  Great  Bend,  Champion  South  Road. 

Clayton.    Clayton  (formerly  Cornelia),  Depauville. 

Ellisburgh.  Belleville,  Ellisburgh,  Mannsville,  Pierrepont 
Manor,  Rural  Hill,  Woodville. 

Henderson.    Henderson  (formerly  Naples),  Robert's  Comers. 

Houndsfield.  E.  Houndsfield,  Sackets  Harbor,  Sto  well's  Corners. 

Le  Ray.    Evans'  Mills,  Le  Raysville,  Sandford's  Corners. 

Lorraine.    Lorraine. 

Lyme.    Chaumont,  Point  Peninsula,  Three  Mile  Bay. 

Orleans,  La  Fargeville,  Omar,  Orleans  Four  Corners,  Stone 
Mills. 

Pamelia.    Paraelia  Four  Corners. 

Philaaelphia.  Philadelphia,  Pogeland,  Sterlingville,  Whit- 
ney's  Corners. 

Rodman.    East  Rodman,  Rodman. 

Rutland.    Black  River,  Felt's  Mills,  Rutland,  South  Rutland. 

Theresa.    Military  Road,  Theresa,  West  Theresa. 

Watertovm.    Burr's  Mills,  Watertown. 

Wilna.    Carthage,  Natural  Bridge,  North  Wilna,  Wilna. 

Worth.    Worthville. 


Liit  of  PuUic  Officert. 


366 


CHAPTER  VII. 


LIST  OF  PUBLIC  OFFICERS. 


''    '  i  i 


Congressional  Districts. — By  an  act  of  March  20, 1804,  Her- 
kimer, Oneida  and  St.  Lawrence  were  made  the  15th.  The  act 
of  erection  made  Jeiferson  and  Lewis  a  part  of  this,  and  April 
8,  1808,  Herkimer,  Lewis,  Jefferson  and  Si.  Lawrence  were 
made  the  10th.  On  the  10th  of  June,  1812,  Lewis,  Jefferson 
and  St.  Lawrence  were  made  the  18th;  April  17,  1822,  Oswego, 
Jefferson,  Lewis  and  St.  Lawrence,  the  20th,  entitled  to  two 
members;  June  29,  1832,  Jefferson  the  18th;  September  6, 
1842,  Jefferson  the  19th;  and  July  10,  1851,  Jefferson  and 
Lewis  the  23d. 

Members  of  Congress,  with  the  years  when  they  were  elected. 


1806— William  Kirk  Patrick. 

180g_john  Nicholson. 

1810— Silas  Stow. 

1812-14— Moss  Kent. 

1816— David  A.  Ogilen. 

1818— William  D.  Ford. 

1820— Micah  Sterling. 

1822— Ela  Collins. 

Nicoli  Fosdick, 
Egbert  Ten  Eyck. 

iQo«  J  Silas  Wright, 

^°^  <  Rudolph  Bunner. 


1824 


1828 

1830 
1832- 


Joseph  Hawkins, 

George  Fisher. 

Daniel  Wardwell, 

Charles  Dayun. 

— Daniel  Wardwell. 
1836 — Isaac  H.  Bronson. 
1838-40— Thomas  C.  Chittenden. 
1842-4— Orville  Hungertord. 
1846- Joseph  Mullin. 
1848— Charles  E.  Clarke. 
1850-Willard  Ives. 
1852— Caleb  Lyon. 


The  candidates  who  were  run  against  these  in  the  several 
years,  and  not  elected,  were:  1806,  John  Nicholson;  1808, 
Moss  Kent;  1810,  Simon  Ford;  1812,  Perley  Keyes;  1814, 
Samuel  Whittlesey;  1816,  Ela  Collins;  1818,  Horatio  Orvis; 
1820,  Perley  Keyes;  1822,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck;  1824,  Daniel 
Hugunin,  Jr.,  Horace  Allen;  1826,  Elisha  Camp,  Nicoli  Fos- 
dick; 1828,  Silas  Wright,  Perley  Keyes;  1830,  Chester  Buck, 
George  Fisher;  1832,  Daniel  Lee;  1834,  Jesse  Smith;  1836, 
Elisha  Camp;  1838,  Isaac  H.  Bronson;  1840,  Alpheus  S.  Green? 
1842,  Eldridge  G.  Merrick;  1844,  John  Bradley;  1846, Orville 
Hungerford;  1848,  Willard  Ives;  1850,  Charles  E.  Clark, 
Jesse  C.  Dann;  1852,  Pearson  Mundy. 

Assembly  Districts. — By  an  act  of  March  31st,  1802,  Oneida 
and  St.  Lawrence  were  allowed  ybwr  members  in  Assembly.  On 
the  1st  of  April,  1808,  Jefferson  was  allowed  two,  and  on  the 
12th  of  April,  1822  three,  which  has  since  been  the  number. 


ii-'ii 


Itfct.iS 


*   S: 


366 


List  of  PuMic  Officers. 


Jl»»mblymtn<—lti  1805,  Joseph  Jennings,  George  Bray  ton,  and  Joseph 
Kirklaud,  from  Oneida  county,  when  divided. 


1815,  E.  Bronson,  M.  Hopkins, 

1816,  Amos  Stebbins,  Abel  Cole. 

1817,  A.  Stebbins,  Eben.  Wood. 

1818,  Abel  Cole,  Horatio  Orvis. 

1819,  CSeo.  Brown,  Jr.,  J.  Cowles. 

1820,  H.  Steele,  C.  McKnight 
1831,  Amos  Stebbins,  R.  Goodale. 
1822,  G.  Andrus,  J.  B.  Esselstyn. 


1806,  Henry  Coffeen. 

1807,  Moss  Kent. 

1808,  Lewis  Graves. 

1809,  Corlis  Hinds,  D.  I.  Andrus. 
1810-1,  Moss  Kent,  E.  Bronson. 

1812,  D.  I.  Andrus,  John  Durkee. 

1813,  E.  Ten  Eyck,  Clark  Allen. 

1814,  E.  Brov  don,  Clark  Allen. 

1823-5,  Richard  Goodale,  George  White,  John  B.  Esselstyn. 
1826-8,  David  W.  Bucklin,  Daniel  Wardwell,  Aipheus  S.  Greene. 

1829,  Jerre  Carrier,  Titus  Ives,  Fleury  Keith. 

1830,  Aaron  Brown,  Curtis  G.  Brooks,  Charles  Orvis. 

1831,  Walter  Cole,  Fleury  Keith,  Joseph  C.  Budd. 

1832,  William  H.  Angel,  Philip  Maxwell,  Nathan  Strong. 

1833,  Jotham  Ives,  John  Burcn,  William  H.  Angel. 

1834,  William  H.  Angel,  Eli  West,  Calvin  McKnight 

1835,  Charles  Strong,  Eli  Farwell,  Calvin  Clark. 

1836,  Lowrey  Barney,  Otis  P.  Starkey,  Richard  Hulbert. 

1837,  Jotham  Bigelow,  Richard  Hulhert,  John  W.  Tamblin. 

1838,  Daniel  Wardwell,  Richard  Hulbert,  John  W.  Tamblin. 

1839,  Calvin  Clark,  Charles  E.  Clarke,  Philip  Gage. 

1840,  Calvin  Clark,  Charles  E.  Clarke,  Stephen  Johnson. 

1841,  William  C.  Pierrepont,  Joseph  Webb,  William  McAllaster. 

1842,  Elihu  McNeil,  Elihu  C.  Church,  John  W.  Tamblin. 

1843,  Elihu  C.  Church,  Joseph  Graves,  Job  Lamson. 

1844,  Samuel  Bond,  William  Carlisle,  Eli  West. 

1845,  Edward  S.  Salisbury,  Azel  W.  Danforth,  Lysander  H.  Brown. 
1S46,  Levi  Miller,  Henderson  Hnwk,  Elihu  M.  McNeil. 

1847,  John  Boyden,  John  D.  Davidson,  Samuel  J.  Davis. 

Jefferson  County,  under  the  new  constitution,  was  divided  into 
three  assembly  districts  as  follows: 

The    First    District,    comprises,    Watertown,    Henderson, 
Adams,  EUisburgh,  Lorraine,  Roduan,  Houndsfield,  and  Worth. 
The  Second  District,  comprises,  Rutland,  Champion,  Wilna, 
Philadelphia,  Antwerp,  Le  Ray,  Theresa,  and  Alexandria. 

The  Third  District,  comprises,  Brownville,  Lyme,  Cape  Vin- 
cent, Clayton,  Pamelia,  and  Orleans.  The  members  have  since 
been: 

1848, 1 8t,  Benjamin  Maxson,  2d,  Harvey  D.  Parker,  3d  Fleury  Keitb. 

1849, 1st,  George  Gates,  2d,  John  L.  Marsh,  3d,  Bernard  Bagley. 

1850, 1st,  John  Winslow,  2d,  Joel  Haworth,  3d,  Alfred  Fox. 

1851, 1  St,  William  A.  Gilbert,  2d  John  Pool,  Jr.,  3d,  Lorin  Busbnell. 

1852, 1st,  William  A,  Gilbert,  2d,  Merril  Colburn,  3d  William  Rouse. 

1853, 1st,  James  GifTord,  2d,  Dewitt  C.  West,  3d,  Charles  Smith. 

1854, 1st,  Calvin  Littlefield,  2d,  Jesse  E.  Willis,*  3d,  William  Dewey. 

Delegates  to  the  ccnvntion  of  1821. — Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  and 
Horace  Steele.  To  the  convention,  of  1846. — Aipheus  S. 
Greene,  Azel  Danforth,  and  Elihu  M.  McNeil. 

*  The  county  canvassers  awarded  the  election  to  Alden  Adams,  on  account 
of  a  clerical  error  in  the  returns  from  Antwerp.  The  question  will  be  settled 
by  the  legislature.  ( 


Liit  of  Public  Officert. 


367 


Jefferson  County  formed  a  part  of  the  6/4  Senatorial  District, 
under  the  late  ronstitution,  and  candidates  vfere  elected  on  a 
general  ticket.  .  ;ow  forms,  with  Lewis,  the  21st  district,  from 
which  the  following  senators  have  been  elected: 

1848,  John  W.  Tamblin;  1850,  Alanson  Skinner  (Caleb 
Lyon  to  fill  vacancy);  1862,  Ashley  Davenport;  1864,  Robert 
Lansing. 

County  Clerks. — By  annual  appointment  of  governor  and 
council,  before  1821,  since  which  time  they  have  been  elected 
triennially. 

Henry  Coffeen,  April  3d,  1806;  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  March 
6th,  1807;  Benjamin  Skinner,  February  3d,  1811;  Richard  M. 
Esselstyn,  February  28th,  181^;  B.  Skinner,  February  16th, 
1816;  George  Andrus,  June  3d,  1820;  Henry  H.  Sherwood, 
A>arch  6th,  1821,  who  was  elected  and  held  the  office  one  term, 
\i'  -^er  the  late  constitution;  Peleg  Burchard,  1828  (4  terms); 
Daniel  Lee,  1840;  Charles  B.  Hoard,  1843;  James  G.  Lynde, 
1846;  Isaac  Munson,  1849;  John  L.  Marsh,  1862. 

Sheriff's. — By  appointment  before  1821,  by  election  since. 
Abel  Sherman,  April  6th,  1806;  Perley  Keyes,  March  16th, 
1808;  David  L  Andrus,  March  16th,  1812;  John  Paddock, 
February  23d,  1813;  David  L  Andrus,  Februarjr  16,  1816; 
Joseph  Clark,  February  26th,  1818;  Amasa  Trowbridge,  March 
6th,  1819;  Jason  Fairbanks,  February  12th,  1821,  and  elected 
under  the  late  constitution  one  term;  Henry  H.  Coffeen,  1826; 
John  Fay,  1828;  Heman  Millard,  1831;  Chauncey  Baker,  1834; 
Abner  Baker,  1837;  Albert  P.  Bray^^n,  1840;  Herman  Strong, 
1843;  Walter  Collins,  1846;  Rufu.-^  Herrick,  1849;  John  R. 
Rouse,  1862. 

Surrogates."  By  appointment  previous  to  1847,  by  election 
since.  Benjamin  Skini  er,  April  13th,  1806;  John  M.  Canfield, 
March  16th,  1811;  Elisha  Camp,  February  28th,  1813;  David 
Perry,  June  27th,  1816;  Lyman  Munson,  April  2d,  1816;  Ben- 
jamin  Wright,  February  26th,  1820:  \i.  Munson,  February  13th, 
1821;  B.  Wright,  March  27th,  18£7;  John  Clarke,  February 
28th,  1840;  Nathaniel  B.  Wardwell,  February  28th,  1844,  who 
held  till  his  death,  February  15tb,  1847,  when  John  Clarke  was 
appointed;  Lysander  H.  Brown,  June,  1847  (elected);  James 
R.  A.  Perkins,  November,  1861. 

Local  officer  to  discharge  the  duties  of  Surrogate. — George 
W.  Hungerford,  1849,  Isaac  Van  Vleck  1851.  The  seal  of  the 
surrogate  of  the  county  consists  of  the  words  "Jefferson  County 
Surrogate  Seal"  in  a  circle,  around  the  words  "  The  End,"  in 
the  centre. 

County  Treasurers. — By  appointment  of  supervisors,  till  the 
adoption  of  the  present  constitut*     .  f^ince  which  time  they  have 


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368 


Lift  qf  Public  Officer*. 


bet  i.  (voted  by  the  people.  Benjamin  Skinner,  October  1, 1805; 
Joseph  Clark,  October  7, 1807;  William  S  u :  \\,  October  20, 18 13; 
Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  October  17,  l^j^Jj  Jasrn  Fairbanks, 
November  20, 1828;  Thomas  Baker,  November  16, 1838;  Aiiriel 
Ely,  November  1840;  John  Sigourney,  November  1842;  Wil- 
liam H.  Robinson,  November  1843;  Silas  Clark,  November 
1846. 

William  Smith,  elected  1848;  Silas  Clark,  do.  1861. 

Circuit  Judgesy  under  the  late  constitution,  appointed  by  the 
governor  and  senate.  6th  district:  Nathan  Williams,  April  21, 
1823;  Hiram  Denio,May  6, 1834;  Philo  Gridley,  July  16, 1838; 
S.  Beardsley,  was  appointed  in  1834,  and  J.  H.  Bronson,  in  1838, 
but  neither  served. 

First  Judges,  Augustus  Sacket,  February  26,  1807;  Moss 
Kent,  February  26,  1810;  Abel  Cole,  February  26,  1818; 
Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  November  14, 1820;  Calvin  McKnight,  Jan- 
uary 29.  1829:  Thomas  C.  Chittenden,  February  28,  1840;  Cal- 
vin Skinner,  January  25,  1845;  Robert  Lansing  (elected)  June 
1847;  William  C.  Thompson  (elected)  November  1861. 

Judges.  Under  the  first  constitution,  the  following  persons 
held  thisolBce  with  the  year  of  their^r^^  appointment: 

1805,  Joshua  Bealls,  Perley  Keyes;  1806,  Isaac  Conklin, 
Augustus  Sacket;  1800,  Joseph  Clark,  Lyman  Ellis,  Thomas 
White;  1811,  John  Durkee;  1812,  Eliphalet  Edmonds;  1813, 
£<l)el  Bronson,  John  Brown,  Joel  Doolittle,  Noadiah  Hubbard, 
v.ibez  Foster,  Clark  Allen;  1814,  Jesse  Hopkins;  1816,  Abel 
Cole;  1818,  William  Robinson,  Amasa  Trowbridge,  Elijah  Fields, 
Jr.,  Aaron  Palmer,  Calvin  McKnight;  1820,  Hart  Massey,  Sam- 
uel C.  Kennedy;  1821,  Hiram  Steel,  Richard  Goodale,  Joseph 
Hawkins;  1823,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Zeno  Allen,  Alpheus  S. 
Greene. 

Under  the  late  constitution:  1823,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Eli- 
phalet Edmonds,  Joseph  Hawkins,  Zeno  Allen,  Alpheus  S. 
Green;  1824,  Daniel  Wardwell;  1829,  Benjamin  Wright, Zeno 
Allen,  John  Macomber,  George  Brown;  1834,  the  same;  1840, 
Hiram  Carpenter,  £.  Ten  Eyck,  M.  K.  Stowe,  E.  G.  Merrick; 
184),  John  Thurman,  Hiram  Dewey;  1843,  G.  C.  Sherman; 
1845,  Jason  Clark;  1846,  Thomas  Wait,  Joseph  Bover. 

Assistant  Justices,  \iin\er  the  first  constitution:  1805,  Thomas 
White,  Wm.  Hunter,  Lyman  Ellis,  Ethni  Evans,-  1807,  Asa 
Braylon,  Corlis  Hinds;  1811,  Abel  Cole,  Wm.  Huntingdon, 
James  Henderson,  Jr.;  1813,  Jesse  Hopkins,  Jonathan  Davis, 
WolcottHubbel,Gdorge  White;  1814,  Wm.  Baker;  1816,  Con- 
verse Johnson,  James  Shurtliff,  Seth  Peck,  Asa  Smi:h,  Elijah 
Fields,  Jr.,  Amasa  Trowbridge,  Melvin  Moffatt,  Daniel  Sterling; 
1818,  Henry  H.  Sherwood,  John  S.  Porter,  Joha  Macomber, 
ThoDcas  Brayton* 


Lift  qf  Public  Officert. 


360 


"i^e;  1849-62,  Thomas 

eh  II.  1808,  Jefferson, 
'^  district  attorney.   In 
WhUtlesey;  1810, 


Justicet  of  Sessions^  elected  under  the  present  constitution: 
1847,  Samuel  Boyden:  1840-60,  Geo.  Brown;  1850,  Dexter 
Wilder,  A.  S.  Babcock}  1851,  Dexter  W  il  'or,  Medad  Cook, 
Henry  Lord;  1853,  Qeo.  A.  Gates,  Eleazer  W.  Lewis. 

Insolvent  Commissioner:  Samuel  Whittlesey,  April  8,  1811. 

Commissioners  to  perform  duties  of  judge  of  Supreme  Court: 
1817,  Wra.  D.  Ford;  1821,  Dav    'V.  BuclJin. 

Local  o^cer  to  discharge  th  dut 
P.  Saun^lers. 

District  attorneys.  By  an  a  »  "*" 
Lewis  and  St.  Lawrence,  wen 
1818  Jefferson  was  to  have  one.     i 

Amos  Benedict;  1811,  S.  Whittlesey  ,  i3-14,  A.  Benedict; 
1815,  Ela  Collins;  1818,  D.  W.  Bucklin;  1820,  Horatio  Shum- 
way;  182],D.W.  Bucklin.  Under  the  late  constitution,  this  officer 
was  appointed  by  the  court.  The  succession  has  been,  D.  W. 
Bucklin,  Robert  Lansing,  Geo.  C.  Sherman,  Wm.  D.  Ford,  D.  N. 
Burnham,  Joseph  Mullin,  Robert  Lansing.  Elected  under  the 
present  constitution:  1847,  Joshua  Moore,  Jr.;  1851,  James  F. 
Starbuck;  1853,  Delano  C.  Calvin.  By  a  resolution  of  the  board 
of  supervisors,  passed  November,  1852,  the  salary  of  this  officer 
is  fixed  at  $800. 

CoronerSi  with  date  of  first  appointment:  1804,  Eleazer  House, 
of  Turin;  this  territory  extended  over  this  county;  1805,  Am- 
brose Pease,  Hart  Massey,  Fairchild  Hubbard;  1808,  Orimel 
Brewster;  1809,  Benjamin  Pool,  Jr.;    1810,  Nathaniel  Haven; 

1811,  Jason  Fairbanks,  William  Waring,  Andrew  S.   Bond; 

1812,  Simeon  Forbes;  1813,  Elijah  Fox,  Henry  Martin,  Seth 
Bailey, Ezra  Stearns;  1814,  Daniel  Leonard;  1815,  Elijah  Shel- 
don, Nathan  Burnham;  1816,  James  Perry;  1817,  Hiram  Steele; 
1818,  Seth  Otis,  John  B.  Esselstyn,  James  Shields,  Joseph  Kel- 
logg, John  Cowles,  Nathan  Brown,  Abijah  Jenkins;  1820,  Wil- 
liam Merrills;  1821,  Suel  Wilson,  Luther  Gilson,  Gideon  S. 
Sacket,  Eseck  Lewis,  Jacob  C.  Greene,  Sylvester  Smith,  John 
Chamberlain,  Eleazer  A.  Scott,  Pardon  Smith;  1822,  Alfred 
M.  Ackley. 

Under  the  late  and  present  constitution,  coroners  have  been 
elected,  but  we  have  not  been  able  to  procure  the  names  of  those 
between  1822  and  1828. 

Azariah  Walton,  Alfred  M.  Ackley,  William  Wood,  Abijah 
Jenkins,  in  1828;  A.  Jenkins,  Archibald  Fisher,  James  McKen- 
zie,  Elijah  Fields,  in  1831;  Luther  G.  Hoyt,  E.  Fields,  Mahlon 
P.  Jackson,  in  1834;  Truman  S.  Angel,  E.  Fields,  Jotham  Bige- 
low,  Ebenezer  Sabin,  in  1837;  Henry  D.  Caldwell  (did  not 
qualify),  Asahel  Smith,  Liberty  Comins,  Samuel  W.  Vincent, 
James  G.  Lynde,  in  1841;  Arba  Strong,  Jedediah  McCumber, 


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370  Ligt  of  Public  Officers, 

Pearson  Mundy,  in  1843;  Samuel  W.  Gilbert,  in  1844;  Samuel 
J.  DaviS;,  in  1845;  James  White,  Thomas  Benjamin,  Jacob 
Cramer,  John  W.  Fuller,  :n  1346;  Andrew  Comwell,  in  1847; 
Abraham  Schuyler,  Thomsd  Benjamin,  Horace  P.  Mitchell,  in 
1849;  Jesse  Davis,  in  1850;  A.  Schuyler,  Aaron  Eddy,  Patrick 
Keon,  in  1852;  Lyman  £.  Hungerford,  in  1853. 

Loan  Commissioners. — 1808,  Gershom  Tuttle,  Amos  Stebbins; 
1810,  Henry  H.  Sherwood,  in  place  of  Stebbins;  1818,  Daniel 
£ames,  in  place  of  Tuttle;  1822,  Seth  Otis,  in  place  of  Eames; 
1829,  Curtis  G.  Brooks,  in  place  of  Sherwood;  1835,  Joseph 
Graves,  in  place  of  Brooks;  1839,  Daniel  Eames,  in  place  of 
Otis;  1840,  Albert  P.  Lewis,  in  place  of  Graves;  1843,  Joel 
Woodworth,  in  place  of  Lewis;  Martin  L.  Graves,  in  place  of 
Eames.  M.  L.  Graves  and  Joel  Woodworth  were  commissioners 
when  this  fund  was  consolidated  with  thn  United  States  deposit 
fund  in  1850. 

United  States  Deposit  Ftmd. — ^The  principal  of  this  fund, 
deposited  in  Jefferson  County,  was  $130,779'06,  and  the  com- 
missioners have  been  as  follows: 

April  28,  1837,  Jason  Marsh,  John  Macomber;  February  28, 
1840,  Edward  B.  Hawes,  in  place  of  Marsh;  January  12,  1841, 
Oliver  Child,  in  place  of  Macomber;  April  4, 18 13,  Moses  Brown, 
in  place  of  Child;  Rufus  H.  King,  iu  place  of  Hawes;  February 
29,  1848,  Nathan  Ingersou,  in  place  of  Brown;  Weils  Benton, 
in  place  of  King;  February  28,  1852,  Philander  Smith,  in  place 
of  Benton;  Solon  Massey,  in  place  of  Ingersou. 

At  the  revision  of  the  constitution  in  1846,  there  were  the 
following  officers  in  the  county,  who  were  appointed  by  the  go- 
vernor, viz:  a  first  judge,  four  judges  of  county  courts,  a  surrogate, 
four  masters  in  chancery,  three  examiners  in  chancery,  eleven 
notaries  public,  two  supreme  court  commissioners,  two  corumis- 
sioners  of  loans,  two  commissioners  United  States  loan,  two  in- 
spectors of  beef,  one  inspector  of  lumber. 

The  several  questions  that  have  been  submitted  to  the  popular 
vote  in  the  .ounty,  resulted  as  follows: 

For  convention  of  1821, : 3,432 

For  no  convention, 119 

For  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1821, 1,953 

Against  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1821, 1,144 

1826.  For  election  of  justices  of  the  peace, 4,702 

Against  election  of  justices  of  the  peace, 1 

1846.  For  the  amended  constitution, 6,603 

Against  the  amended  constitution, 1,712 

For  equal  suffrage  to  colored  persons, 2,791 

Against  equal  suffrage  to  colored  persons, 4,536 


Rdative  Stfength  of  Political  Parties.  371 

1846, May.  For  license,.. 4,012 

For  no  license, 6,644 

1849.  For  the  free  school  law, - _ 5,997 

Against  the  free  school  law, 3,312 

1860.  For  the  repeal  of  the  free  school  law, 6,064 

Against  the  repeal  of  the  free  school  lav-> 3,969 

In  May,  1846,  Champion,  Pamelia  and  Theresa  voted  for 
license,  and  the  remainder  of  the  county  far  no  licei%se.  The 
majorities  for  license  in  the  towns :  i  which  it  wai  voted,  amounted 
to  78;  and  in  those  that  voted  asainst,  1,700.  In  1847,  Hen- 
derson and  Lorraine  gave  small  majorities  ^br  no  licensef  in 
Pamelia  no  vote  was  taken,  and  in  all  the  other  towns  license 
was  voted  with  aggregate  majorities  of  1612  over  81. 

To  convey  a  Imowledge  of  the  relative  strength  of  the  po- 
litical parties  since  the  county  was  settled,  we  select  the  vote 
for  governor,  as  the  one  best  calculated  to  represent  that  object, 
being  hiaa  influenced  by  personal  considerations  than  that  for 
persons  residing  in  the  district.  The  elected  candidate  is  given 
in  Italics. 

1801,  George  Clinton,  66.    Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  66. 

1804,  Morgan  Lewis,  in  Oneida  County,  2,165;  Aaron  Burr, 
1,782.    The  following  are  for  Jefferson  County. 

1807,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  766;  Morgan  Lewis,  616. 

1810,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  1,076;  John  Broome,  1,077. 

1813,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  733;  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer,  796. 

1816,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  908;  Rufus  King,  868. 

1817,  Dewitt  Clinton,  961;  Peter  B.  Porter. 

1820,  Devntt  Clinton,  762;  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  795. 

1822,  Dewitt  C/tWcn  (nearly  unanimous^;  Solomon  South- 
wick  (the  returns  of  this  year  could  not  be  found). 

1824,  Dewitt  Clinton,  2,779;  Samuel  Young,  3,619. 

1826,  Dewitt  Clinton,  2,900;  William  B.  Rocheste.,  2,902. 

1828,  M  Van  Buren,  3,328;  Smith  Thompson,  1,763;  S. 
Southwick,  2204. 

1830,  Enos  T.  Throop,  3,706;  Francis  Granger,  3,054. 

1832,  Wm.  L.Marcy,  4,363;  Francis  Granger,  4,418. 

1834,  Wm.  L.  Marcy,  4,558;  Wm.  H.  Seward,  4,433. 

1836,  Wm.  L.  Marcy,  4,643;  Jesse  Buel,  3,439;  Isaac  S. 
Smith,  135. 

1838,  Wm.  H.  Seward,  4,082;  Wm.  L.  Marcy,  4,946. 

1840,  Wm.  H.  Seward,  6,196;  Wm.  C.  Bouck,  5,737;  Gerrit 
Smith,  59. 

1842,  Wm.  C.  Bouck,  5,636;  Luther  Bradish,  4,774;  Alvin 
Stewart,  292. 

1844,  Silas  Wright,  6,341;  Millard  Fillmore,  5,671;  Alvin 
Stewart,  717. 


372 


The  Periodical  Preu. 


1846,  John  Young,  4,798j  Silas  Wright,  5,295:  Henry 
Bradley,  748.  b  »  / 

1848,  Hamilton  Fish,  4,858;  Reuben  H.  Walworth,  2,627; 
John  A.  Dix,  4,326;  William  Godell,  24. 

1850,  Washington  Hunt,  4,905;  Horatio  Seymour,  5,756. 

1852,  Horatio  Seymour,  6,496;  Washington  Hunt,  5,752. 


<  •  »  >  I 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  PERIODICAL  PRESS. 

The  Black  River  Gazette,  was  the  pioneer  paper,  north  of 
Utica.  It  began  at  Martinsburgh,  March  10,  1807,  under  the 
patroilage  of  Gen.  Walter  Martin,  and  was  continued  by  James 
B.  Bobbins,  a  year.    It  was  republican  in  politics. 

The  American  Eagle  was  begun  at  Watertown,  by  Henry 
Coffeen,  Abram  Taylor,  printer,  about  1809,  also  republican;  but 
an  acrostic,  that  was  published  inadvertently,  brought  ridicule 
upon  the  name,  and  it  was  soon  changed.  It  was  purchased  in 
January,  1812,  by  Jairus  Rich;  its  name  was  changed  to  the 
American  Advocate,  and  by  him  it  was  issued  several  years. 

In  1817,  Seth  A.  &Dorepbus  Abbey,  owners  cf  a  job  office,  in 
Albany,  concluded  to  start  a  paper,  somewhere  .  D.  Abbey, 
and  John  H.  Lord,  Jr.,  a  journeyman  in  the  offic  ft  of  Oswego) 
accordingly,  removed  to  Watertown.  The  press  of*  Mr.  Rich,  being 
at  the  time  of  their  arrival  under  a  sheriff 's  levy,  was  bought,  and 
soon  after  the  Jefferson  and  Lewis  Gazette  appeared  in  the  spring 
of  1817.  It  was  of  the  royal  size  (20  by  26  inches),  republican 
in  politics,  according  to  the  light  then  had,  and  issued  at  two 
dollars  per  annum,  until  April,  1819,  when  it  was  stopped.  Seth 
A.  Abbey  then  commenced  the  Independent  Republican,  which 
was  issued  weekly,  until  February,  1825,  w[hen  the  house  and 
office  of  the  publisher  were  burned.  It  was,  however,  revived 
in  May,  1828,  as  the  Independent  Republican  and  Jlntimasonic 
Recorder,  of  five  columns,  two  dollars  per  annum,  and  continued 
till  1830.  In  June,  1830,  S.  A.  &  D.  Abbey  established  the 
Oswego  Palladium,  in  the  name  of  Chauncey  Abbey,  a  younger 
brother,  which,  in  a  few  months,  was  sold  to  John  H.  iJord,  Jr., 
and  by  him  continued  many  years. 

Mr.  Perly  Keyes,  the  leader  of  the  democracy  in  the  county, 
procured  the  Watertown  Freeman,  to  be  started  by  W.  Wood- 
ward, January  27,  1824.    It  was  folio,  five  columns,  the  pages 


J^swspapers. 


373 


20  by  24  inches,  and  delivered  for  $2*60  by  the  carrier.  A. 
L.  Smith  was  afterwards  editor,  and  during  the  campaign  of 
1832  it  supported  Jackson.  Early  in  October,  1833,  the  name 
was  changed  to  the  Democratic  Standard.  It  continued  to  be 
published  by  Smith  till  July  29,  1835,  when  it  was  united  with 
the  Watertown  Eagle,  and  became  the  Eagle  and  Standard. 
For  some  time  previous,  although  of  the  same  politics,  these  two 
papers  were  hostile  to  each  other,  and  the  points  on  which  they 
contended  divided  the  democratic  party  in  the  county. 

Thursday*s  Post  was  commenced  October  19, 1826,  at  Water- 
town,  by  Theron  Parsons  &  Co.,  at  $2*60  delivered  by  the  carrier, 
and  $2  by  mail;  five  columns  weekly;  politics,  Clintonian;  sixty- 
six  numbers  were  published,  the  last  being  January  17,  1828. 
The  press  was  then  sold  to  Henry  L.  Harvey,  who,  the  next  week 
(January  24,)  commenced  The  Registery  with  the  same  terms, 
size,  and  politics.  Mr.  Harvey  had  commenced  a  paper,  called 
The  Genius  of  Philanthropy,  previously,  a  temperance  paper, 
weekly,  folio,  but  of  the  quarto  shape,  which  afterwards  united 
with  the  Waiertown  Register,  both  names  being  retained.  On 
the  1st  of  May,  1830,  Benjamin  Cory  became  a  partner  in  the 
paper,  and  May  15,  the  name  became  The  Watertovm  Register 
and  General  Advertiser.  In  May,  1831,  Cory  became  sole  propri- 
etor and  publisher.  In  the  fall  of  that  year,  from  being  neutral  in 
politics,  it  adopted  the  creed  of  the  party  that  sustained  General 
Root  for  governor,  and  subsequently  became  the  organ  of  the 
whig  party  in  the  county.  September  19,  the  latter  part  of  the 
name  was  dropped,  and  on  the  25th  of  March,  1835,  its  name 
was  changed  to  The  Aorth  .American,  with  John  Haxton,  editor, 
for  the  first  six  months.  This  was  a  paper  of  six  columns  to  the 
page,  folio;  published  at  $2*50  per  annum  to  village  subscribers. 
It  was  continued  under  this  name  till  September,  1839,  when  its 
name  was  restored  to  the  Watertovm  Register,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  H.  S.  Noble;  the  size,  terms,  and  politics,  remaining  un- 
changed. Joel  Qreene  was  afterwards  taken  into  the  partnership, 
and  he,  subsequently,  became  the  proprietor.  There  had  been 
several  changes  of  publishers.  In  March,  1842,  the  editor  and 
publisher  was  William  H.  Hough. 

Mr.  Greene  continued  the  paper  as  the  Black  River  Journal, 
from  the  spring  of  1843  till  August  1846,  and  by  him  it  was 
considerably  enlarged.  Terms  $2;  circulation  1,600.  In  the 
spring  of  1846,  Mr.  Greene  commenced  publishing  the  Daily 
Journal,  which  failed  to  meet  the  expectations  of  the  publisher, 
who  changed  it  to  the  Watertown  Journal,  a  small  tri-weekly 
folio,  of  four  columns  to  the  page,  at  $3  per  annum.  This  tri- 
weekly, was  continued  until  the  press  was  sold,  and  the  name 
changed  to  the  following.  It  is  said  to  have  been  well  patron- 
ized. 


lib. 


"  5='Tew?^™r"'?pf  f 


374 


Jfewapap^a. 


7%e  Jforthem  State  Journal,  by  Ambrose  W.  Clark,  was 
begun  August  26, 1846,  and  like  its  predecessors  has  been  con- 
sidered the  organ  of  the  whig  party  in  the  county.  In  August 
1848,  O.  W.  Smith,  and  H.  S.  Noble  (the  latter  formerly  en- 
gaged in  the  Watertown  Register),  became  the  publishers,  under 
the  firm  of  Smith  &  Noble.  John  Fayel,  subsequently  became 
a  partner,  and,  September  18,  Mr.  Clark  again  became  one  of 
the  publishers,  since  which  time  the  paper  nas  been  conducted 
by  Clark  &  Fayel.  The  terms  have  been  reduced  to  f  1'50  by 
mail,  and  $2  by  the  carrier. 

The  Censor,  an  antimasonic  paper,  was  commenced  by  The- 
ron  Parsons,  at  Adams,  July  1,  1828,  and  continued  until  Janu- 
ary 13,  1829,  when  it  was  removed  to  Watertown.  It  was  a 
small  weekly  folio,  five  columns  to  the  page,  and  published  at 
|2'60  to  village  subscribers,  or  |2  by  mail.  To  clubo  of  thirteen 
or  more  $1*50.  It  was  published  by  Parsons  at  Watertown,  from 
January  27,  1829,  till  June  8,  1830,  when  Enoch  Ely  Camp, 
was  announced  as  the  editor.  He  is  said  to  have  been  more  or 
less  concerned  in  the  paper  from  the  beginning.  The  bitterness 
of  party  spirit  was  at  tne  time  excessive,  and  its  enemies,  hav- 
ing christened  it  The  Cancer,  its  name  w.as  changed  by  Camp  to 
the  ^ntitnasonic  Sun.  It  was  afterwards  publislied  thirty  nine 
weeks  by  Dr.  R.  Goodale,  commencing  December  13,  1830,  as 
The  Constellation,  and  subsequently  it  passed  into  the  hands  of 
Abner  Morton,  now  of  Monroe,  Michigan,  who  edarged  it  to  six 
columns,  called  it  the  Jefferson  Reporter,  and  published  from 
September  11,  1832,  till  January  21,  1834,  when  he  removed 
west,  taking  bis  press.  Elder  Joel  Greene,  after  selling  the 
Journal,  proposed  to  issue  at  Sackets  Harbor  and  Kingston,  a 
paper  called  the  .J^Torthem  Luminary,  one  number  of  which  ap- 
peared. It  was  neutral  in  politics,  and  to  be  devoted  to  religion, 
temperance,  agricultural  matters,  slavery,  &c.,  but  some  disap- 
pointment in  the  editorial  department  prevented  its  continuance, 
and  in  January,  1847,  he  began  the  Watertoton  Spectator,  a  pa- 
per devoted  to  the  license  question,  and  temperance  reform,  six 
columns  to  the  page,  $2  by  the  carrier,  or  $1*50  by  mail.  At 
the  end  of  the  second  year  it  was  stopped,  with  the  view  of 
enlargement,  when  it  was  prevented  by  the  great  fire  of  1849, 
whicn  destroyed  the  form  on  the  press. 

TheJVew  York  Reformer,  was  commenced  August  29, 1850, 
by  Lotus  Ingalls,  A.  H.  Burdick,  and  L.  M.  Stowell,  under  the 
firm  of  Ingalls,  Burdick  &  Co.  Lotus  Ingalls,  and  Solon  Massey 
editors.  Terms  $1;  weekly,  six  columns,  neutral  in  politics, 
devoted  to  temperance  reform  and  general  intelligence.  At  the 
time  of  its  beginning  the  Free  School  question  was  before  the 
public,  and  it  entered  warmly  into  the  support  of  that  measure. 


Newspapert. 


375 


In  O'itober, William  Oland  Bourne,  of  New  York,  became  an  asso- 
ciate editor,  and  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  it  was  enlarged  to  seven 
columns. 

This  paper  was  originally  designed  to  be  the  organ  of  the 
Sons  of  Temperance,  but  was  founded  and  has  been  sustained 
by  individual  enterprise.    It  is  still  continued  with  much  success. 

The  Waterioum  Eaitle  was  commenced  by  J.  Calhoun,  Sep- 
tember 11th,  1832,  folio,  weekly,  six  columns  to  the  page,  at 
t2'60  per  annum,  delivered  to  village  subscribers.  Politics 
democratic.  On  the  28th  of  March,  1833,  Alvin  Hunt  became 
an  associate  editor,  and  in  August,  the  latter  purchased  the  in- 
terest of  Calhoun,  and  continued  the  paper  till  July,  29th,  1836, 
when,  in  pursuance  of  the  recommendation  of  a  committee  of  a 
republican  coQvention,  it  was  united  with  the  Democratic  Stand- 
ard,  under  the  title  of  the  Eagle  and  Standard,  and  edited  by 
Alvin  Hunt,  and  Asahel  L  Smith,  the  former  editors  of  these 
papera.  The  committee  published  an  address  to  the  republican 
party  of  the  county,  in  the  first  number  of  the  new  series,  in 
which  they  commended  it  1 1  the  support  of  the  party.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1836,  Mr.  Smith  withdrew  from  the  concern.  This  paper 
on  the  30th  of  November,  1837,  was  changed  to  the  Jeffersonian, 
under  which  name  or.  that  of  the  Watertovm  Jeffersonian,  it  has 
continued  without  change  of  politics  till  the  present  time.  On 
the  15th  of  December,  1851,  Mr.  Hunt  became  associated  with 
John  W.  Tamblin,  and  March  15th,  1853,  Mr.  J.  C.  Hatch  took 
the  place  of  the  latter,  and  in  September  Tamblin  succeeded 
Hatch.  The  paper  is  now  published  by  Hunt  &  Tamblin,  at 
$1*50  per  annum. 

The  Daily  Jeffersonian  was  begun  at  this  office  May  10th, 
1851,  and  continued  two  and  a  half  years. 

There  was  published  at  this  office  by  Mr.  Hunt,  during  the 
campaign  of  1840,  a  small  sheet  at  25  cents,  edited  by  a  com- 
mittee of  young  men,  apd  devoted  to  the  support  of  the  demo- 
cratic party.    It  was  cidled  JTie  Aurora. 

The  Democratic  Union,  a  democratic  paper,  was  commenced 
August  29th,  1846;  seven  columns,  folio,  $1'50  per  annum,  pub- 
lished by  Thomas  Andrews  and  James  H.  Swindells,  and  edited 
by  Lysander  H.  Brown.  A  prominent  object  at  the  time  of  its 
starting,  was  the  defeat  of  the  "  no  license  question,"  which 
at  that  time  divided  the  public.  In  the  second  number, 
Andrews  became  sole  publisher.  On  the  15th  of  April,  1847, 
Stephen  Martin  became  an  associate  publisher  with  Lysander 
H.  Brown  as  the  editor.  On  the  2d  of  September,  John  A. 
Haddock  took  the  place  of  Martin  as  publisher,  and  in 
June,  1848,  Mr.  L.  H.  Brown  withdrew  from  the  paper,  which 
was  continued  under  the  editorial  charge  of  J.  C.  Hatch.    The 


376 


Newtpaperi. 


politics  of  the  paper  were  changed  at  the  lame  time,  from  the 
support  of  Cass  to  that  of  Van  Buren,  for  the  presidency.  It 
subsequently  passed  into  the  hands  of  Charles  A.  Stevens,  and 
John  A.  Haddock.  In  the  great  fire  of  May  14th,  1849,  the 
office  was  destroyed,  but  in  two  weeks  the  paper  was  resumed. 
On  the  12th  of  September,  1849,  the  paper  was  enlarged  to 
elffht  columns,  and  on  the  10th  of  April  following  reduced  to  its 
original  size.  On  its  enlargement,  Haddock  became  its  pub- 
lisher and  proprietor,  and  on  the  15th  of  October,  1861,  Lysan- 
der  H.  Brown  again  became  connected  with  the  paper,  and 
continued  with  Haddock  until  November,  when  he  becanie  sole 

Eublisher.    Since  January,  19th,  1863,  it  has  been  published  by 
u  H.  Brown  and  £.  R.  Pollard. 

Besides  these,  there  have  appeared  the  following,  generally 
from  the  press  of  the  regularly  established  papers  of  the  county. 
The  Herald  of  Salvation,  a  Universalist  Magazine,  by  Rev.  Pitt 
Morse,  1822-3,  semi-monthly,  8  vo.,  12.00  per  annum.  First  year 
printed  by  S.  A.  Abbey,  second  b^  W.  Woodward,  first  number 
November  30th,  1822.  It  was  united  with  a  magazine  in  Phila- 
delphia. The  Monitor,  a  small  folio,  cap  size,  quarterly,  be- 
g inning  January  1st,  1830,  and  devoted  to  the  record  of  the 
enevolent  societies  of  the  Presbyterian  and  Congregational 
churches.  The  Student,  one  year,  monthly,  beginning  August 
1st,  1837,  quarto  form,  four  pages  to  a  number,  edited  by  the  stu- 
dents of  the  B.  R.  L  &  R.  Institute,  printed  by  B.  Cory,  and 
made  '«f  original  papers  by  the  students.  Price  50  cents.  The 
V  ii  ^  Jefferson,  summer  and  fall  of  1828,  Clintonian,  small 
weekly  folio,  quarto  form,  four  columns  to  the  page,  edited  by  a 
committee  of  young  men,  printed  by  Harvey  &  Hunt.  Terms 
25  cents.    The  Veto,  a  small  campaign  paper,  three  columns, 

Suarto  form,  anti-masonic,  begun  September,  1832;  terms  1 
lilling.  The  Spirit  of  '76,  edited  by  a  committee  of  young 
men,  printed  by  B.  Cory,  three  months  in  1834,  small  folio, 
four  columns  to  the  page,  terms  25  cents. 

The  Patriot  and  Democrat,  a  small  folio,  campaign  paper,  four 
columns  to  the  page,  was  commenced  October  20,  1838,  and 
seven  numbers  were  issued.  It  supported  the  democratic  nomin- 
ations on  the  state  ticket,  Ezekiel  Lewis,  for  congress,  and  C. 
Parsons,  W.  C.  George  and  S.  Bobbins  for  assembly.  Printed  by 
Randall  D.  Rice,  for  a  committee,  at  Watertown.  When  first 
issued  designed  to  be  permanent,  and  the  terms  were  fixed  at  t2, 

Set'  annum.  The  Pioneer  Phalanx  and  Independent  Magazine, 
vo.,  in  covers,  ppv24,  75  cents  per  annum.  Edited  by  A.  C.  S. 
Bailey,  and  begun  November,  1843,  monthly;  and  it  is  believed 
but  one  number  was  issued.  It  was  to  be  organ  of  the  Fourier 
association  in  Watertown.     The  Sinai  and  Calvary  Reporter, 


Newipapera. 


2m 


Quarterly,  8vo.,  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Livingston;  begun  Oct.  1862; 
nrst  number  at  Watertown,  second  number  at  Oouverneur. 

The  first  paper  at  Sackets  Harbor  vras  commenced  by  George 
Camp,  March,  17,  1817,  under  the  name  of  the  Sackets  Har^ 
Gazette,  It  was  federal  in  politics,  five  columns  to  the  page,  at  $2 
per  annum.  Its  name  was  the  second  year  changed  to  The  Sockets 
Harbor  Gazette  and  Advertiser,  In  February  1820,  Matthew 
M.  Cole  became  the  editor,  and  February  9, 1821,  he  changed  its 
name  to  the  Jefferson  Republican,  under  which  name  it  was 
continued  a  year  or  more.  In  the  spring  of  1824,  Truman  W.  Has- 
call,  commenced  the  Freeman*s  Advocate,  of  the  same  size,  terms 
and  politics,  which  was  discontinued  in  December,  1828.  The 
Courier,  and  the  Sackets  Harbor  Courier,  and  one  or  two  other 
papers,  whose  names  could  not  be  procured,  were  afterwards 
published  by  J.  Howe.  The  Courier,  in  the  canvass  of  1832, 
supported  West  and.  Granger.  The  Jefferson  County  Whig 
was  begun  at  Sackets  Harbor,  September  7,  1837,  by  Edward 
H.  Purdy,  and  the  Sackets  Harbor  Journal,  by  £.  M.  Luff,  pub- 
lisher, D.  M.  Burnham,  editor,  was  commenced  in  its  place,  10th 
October,  1838.  Mr.  Luff  conducted  the  paper,  C.  Woodward 
beinff  the  printer,  from  April  17,  1839,  till  the  spring  of  1841. 
TheHarrisonian,  a  small  campaign  paper,  was  published  by  Luff, 
in  the  summer  and  fall  of  1840.  The  press  was  at  this  time  and  for 
several  years  previous,  owned  by  a  company  of  citi/ens  of  the 
village.  Joel  Greene,  in  the  spring  of  1841,  succeeded  as  publisher, 
and  soon  enlarged  it  to  imperial  size  and  procured  new  type.  At 
the  end  of  the  second  year  he  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Calvin 
Green,  who  in  the  same  year  discontinued  it. 

In  the  spring  of  1843,  Joel  Greene  bought  of  Herman  No- 
ble the  Watertown  Register,  and  having  previously  openet  an 
office  for  the  publication  of  the  Mack  River  Journal,  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  latter  at  Sackets  Harbor  and  Watertown, 
the  printing  being  done  at  Watertown,  to  which  place  the  press 
had  been  removed.  This  paper  was  of  the  present  size  of  our 
village  papers  (28  by  36  inches),  terms  two  dollars  per  annum, 
weekly,  and  in  politics  whig.  In  1846,  the  establisnmf  nt  was 
sold  to  A.  W.  Clark,  who  began  publishing  the  JVbrthen  rotate 
Journal,  as  above  stated.  There  was  no  paper  publishe  A  the 
Harbor,  from  this  time  till  the  20th  of  March,  1848,  when  the 
Sackets  Harbor  Observer  was  commenced  by  0.  H.  Harris.  This 
was  whig  in  politics;  seven  columns;  terms  $1*50  and  was  con- 
tinued four  years  without  change,  when  the  name  was  altered  to 
The  Jefferson  Farmer,  a  neutral  paper,  under  which  it  is  still 
published.  J.  D.  Huntington  was  employed  to  publish  this  pa- 
per the  second  year,  Mr.  Harris  continuing  the  editor. 

The  Jefferson  County  Democrat  was  l^gun  by  J.  C.  Hatch, 


"iT^^Tw^iT^rr" 


S78 


Hittory  qf  Academiet. 


Mt  Adams,  June  527th,  1844,  and  published  by  him  three  vears, 
when  E.  J.  Clark  succeeded  as  publisher,  and  has  since  contmued. 
In  1848,  it  supported  Van  fiuren,  and  is  democratic  in  politics. 
7  erms  #1*60;  six  columns  to  the  page. 

Thfa  Theresa  Chronicle  was  puolished  at  Theresa  six  months 
and  two  weeks,  commencing  January  14, 1848.  Edited  by  E. 
C.  Burt;  terms  tl'60;  weekly;  seven  columns  to  the  page;  demo- 
cratic in  politics.  The  last  two  numbers  were  of  halfthe  original 
size.  The  press  was  subsequently  removed  to  Madrid,  St.  Law- 
rence county,  and  is  now  used  at  Canton  in  publishing  the  Canton 
Independent. 

Tne  Carthagenian,  a  weekly  whig  paper,  devoted  to  the 
advocacy  of  the  Black  River  Canal,  was  oegan  December  19, 
1839,  by  David  Johnson,  who,  on  the  18th  of  June,  1840,  was 
succeeded  as  editor  by  William  H.  Houeh.  It  had  six  columns  to 
the  page,  and  was  issued  at  f  2'50  bv  the  carrier,  or  $2  by  mail. 
The  press  was  principally  owned  by  Hiram  Mc  Collom.  In 
April,  1843,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Black  River  Times, 
W.  H.  Hough,  editor,  terms  (|1  per  annum,  which  was  continued 
for  some  time.  January  1,  1847;  Myron  F.  Willson  commenced 
a  semi-monthly  neutralpaper,  styled  The  Peace's  Press;  in  the 
third  number,  W.  H.  Colston  became  associate  editor,  and  in 
September,  L.  Jones.  It  was  of  brief  continuance.  In  1849, 
the  press  was  removed  to  Governeur,  and  used  in  printing  The 
J^Torthem  J^Teto  Yorker^  and  it  was  afterwards  taken  to  Potsdam, 
where  it  now  is. 


CHAPTEE IX. 

HISTORY  OF  ACADEMIES. 

The  earliest  movement  towards  the  establishment  of  a  public 
seminary  in  the  county,  was  made  in  1810.  In  that  year  a  sub- 
scription was  drawn  up,  $2,600  signed,  a  lot  bought  of 
Judge  Keyes,  for  the  site  of  an  ^academy,  on  the  ground  now 
occupied  by  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Watertown,  and  a 
plain  two  storv  brick  building,  about  32  by  40,  erected  thereon 
for  academical  purposes.  The  war  which  soon  occurred,  defeat- 
ed this  movement,  and  the  building  was  taken  and  occupied  by 
the  United  States  government  as  a  hospital  during^  that  period, 


llidory  qf  Academies. 


379 


the  sum  of  $400  being  allowed  to  Mr.  Keyes  for  its  use.  A 
large  debt  having  accrued,  it  was  appraised  at  about  $1000,  sold 
on  a  mortgage,  and  bought  by  the  trustees  of  the  First  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  who  erected  on  the  lot,  a  little  in  front  of  the  former 
building,  the  stone  church  which  has  recently  been  replaced 
by  the  present  elegant  church  on  Washington  street. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  1835,  the  Watertoton  Academy  was  incor- 
porated, by  which  Micah  Sterling,  Henry  D.  Sewall,  Thomas 
Baker,  Reuben  Goodale,OrvilleHungerford,  Alpheus  S.  Greene, 
Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Justin  Butteriield,  William  Smith,  Jason 
Fairbanks,  Joseph  Goodale,  Loveland  Paddock,  Joseph  Kimble, 
George  S.  Boardman,  and  John  Saflfbrd,  and  their  successors, 
were  incorporated  as  trustees  of  an  academy,  with  power  to  hold 
real  estate  not  exceeding  an  annual  income  of  $6000,  and  pos- 
sessing the  usual  corporate  powers  of  similar  bodies  This 
academy  was  never  received  under  the  visitation  of  the  Regents. 

A  large  stone  building  was  erected  in  a  grove,  a  little  south 
of  the  vulage,  which  was  first  opened  for  the  reception  of  stu- 
dents, September  19th,  1832.  Micah  Sterling,  Egbert  Ten 
Eyck,  Orville  Hungerford,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Loveland  Paddock, 
Norris  M.  Woodrul*,  and  Henry  D.  Sewall,  each  subscribed  ten 
shares;  nine  others  took  five  each;  one,  took  four  shares;  five, 
three  shares;  nineteen,  two  shares;  and  twenty-six,  one  share 
each. 

In  their  first  circular,  th^  trustees  said:  "  It  has  too  long  been 
a  subject  of  reproach  to  our  community,  that,  while  other  interests 
were  flourishing,  the  interests  of  education  were  neglected. 
Among  us  there  has  been  no  seminary  for  the  education  of  boys, 
above  the  ordinary  district  school,  and  the  consequence  has  been, 
that  parents  have  sent  their  children  abroad,  at  a  very  heavy 
expense,  or  brought  them  up  in  comparative  ignorance  at  home. 
But  this  reproach,  so  far,  at  least,  as  regards  a  provision  for  the  • 
means  for  acquiring  knowledge?,  is  about'to  be  done  away.  An 
elegant  and  commodious  building  has  been  erected  and  prepared, 
and  measures,  we  trust,  will  soon  be  taken,  to  furnish  a  suitable 
philosophical  apparatus.  *  *  *  The  building  stands  in  a 
pleasant  grove  near  the  village  and  yet  retired  from  its  bustle,  on 
elevated  ground,  commanding  an  agreeable  prospect.  The  sub- 
scribers are  happy  to  announce  that  Mr.  La  Rue  P.  Thompson 
has  been  induced  to  take  charge  of  this  institution  as  principal, 
and  well  qualified  assistance  will  be  employed  as  soon  as  the 
number  of  students  offering  shall  render  it  expedient." 

Mr.  Thompson  was  succeeded  by  Samuel  Belding,  and   the 
latter  by  Joseph  Mullin. 

In  1836,  a  joint  effort  was  made  by  the  Watertown  Presbytery 
and  the  Black  River  Association,  towards  the  establishment  of  a 

26 


! 


ft  I 


m 


F---BHr^?-"Tp-=F'- 


380 


Hittonf  of  Academiet. 


literary  institution,  wtiich  while  it  should  avoid  a  sectarian  dis- 
cipline, would  be  surrounded  by  a  salutary  relif^ious  and  moral 
influence.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  held  at  Brownville, 
February  8,  1836,  the  following  resolution  was  unanimously 
passed  after  discussion: 

"Resolved^  That  a  committee  of  Ave,  consisting  of  three  roin> 
isters  and  two  elders,  be  appointed  to  confer  with  a  committee 
from  the  Black  River  Association,  on  the  expediency  of  estab- 
lishing a  religious  and  literary  school,  in  this  region,  and  to  re- 
port to  this  body,  as  soon  as  may  be  convenient."  The  Rev. 
Messrs.  Smith,  Hoyt,  and  E.  H.  Snowden,  and  Messrs.  Camp,  and 
Grenell,  were  appointed  this  committee. 

A  special  meeting  was  convened,  at  the  Second  Church  in 
Watertown,  March  Slst,  to  consider  the  subject  of  establishing 
a  seminary,  and  a  joint  committee  of  the  two  bodies  agreed 
upon  a  report,  which  was  adopted,  and  was  as  follows: 

"  Your  committee  were  instructed  to  ht'iaz  in  a  report,  to  the  two 
eeeleaiastical  bodies,  on  the  expediency  of  establishing  a  literary  and  re- 
ligious institution  for  the  education  of  the  young,  to  suggest  their  views 
as  to  the  pibn  of  its  location,  the  character  of  the  school,  the  mode  of 
commencing  it,  and  the  outlines  of  its  constitudon.  These  several  con- 
siderations have  been  before  your  committee,  and  the  following  has  been 
the  result  of  their  deliberations. 

At  every  step  of  our  investigation,  we  hnve  had  an  increased  convic- 
tion of  the  importance  of  organizing  an  institution  fur  the  education  of 
our  children,  of  a  decided  religious  character.  We  need  a  school  in  which 
the  authenticity  and  inspiration  of  the  Bible  shall  be  taught;  in  which 
the  truths  and  duties  of  the  Christian  religion  shall  be  inculcated,  and  in 
which  the  moral  virtues  may  be  cultivated  in  such  a  way  as  to  form  a 
dignified  character,  guarded  against  the  errors  and  vices  of  the  world, 
in  which  our  children  shall  have  all  the  security  thrown  around  them 
that  they  can  enjoy  under  the  pious  and  parental  roof. 

Your  committee  feel,  that  the  churches  have  too  long  slept  over  this 
subject,  many  of  us  have  often  committed  our  sons  and  daughters  to  the 
'instruction  of  those  who  have  not  aided,  but  retarded  us  in  redeeming 
our  pledge  which  we  gave  in  consecrating  them  to  God.  We  wish  our 
children  trained  in  the  Christian  religion,  in  the  doctrines  and  duties  of 
the  gospel ;  we  therefore  deem  it  expedient,  that  an  institution  be  erected, 
calculated  to  secure  the  foregoing  objects.  Your  committee  are  unani- 
mously of  the  opinion,  that  the  people  of  the  counties  of  Jefferson  and 
Lewis,  and  a  part  of  Upper  Canada,  are  the  population  whose  conveni- 
ence is  principally  to  be  consulted  in  the  location  of  the  institution. 
We  deem  it  inexpedient  to  put  up  the  location  at  auction.  The  enter- 
prise we  consider  too  sacred,  and  aside  from  the  alienation  of  feeling 
which  might  result  from  competition,  and  those  complaints  which  might 
embarrass  the  fellowship  and  cooperation  of  its  friends,  we  think  that  it 
ought  to  be  located  in  the  most  convenient  and  acceptable  place.  Your 
committee,  therefore,  unanimously  advise,  that  its  locadon  be  in  or  near 
the  village  of  Watertown." 

Jason  Clark,  Esq.,  and  Rev.  G.  S.  Boardman  were  appointed 
to  procure  an  act  of  incorporation.    Jason  Clark,  of  Plessis,  J. 


Hiitory  qf  Academiei. 


S81 


H.  Whipple,  of  Adams,  and  E.  Camp,  of  Sackets  Harbor,  were 
appointed  to  select  a  site.  Application  was  accordingly  made, 
which  procured  the  passage  of  an  act  (May  25,  1836)  for  the 
incorporation  of  the  Black  River  Literary  and  Rklioious  In- 
stitute. Its  first  trustees  were,  Marcus  Smith,  James  H.  Mon- 
roe, £li  Farwell,  Jason  Clark,  George  S.  Boardman,  Hart  Massey, 
Rowel!  Kinney,  Crafts  P.  Kimball,  Elisha  Camp,  Lewis  A. 
Wicks,  Henry  Jones,  George  W.  Knowlton,  Ebenezer  H.  Snow- 
den,  John  Covert,  E.  M.  Adams,  Elisha  P.  Cook,  David  Spear, 
Charles  B.  Pond,  Artemas  Crittenden,  John  A.  Cathcart,  David 
Granger,  Abel  L.  Crandall,  Roswell  Pettibone,  and  William 
Chittenden. 

These  trustees  were  authorized  to  establish  n  seminary  of 
learning  in  Watertown,  whose  annual  income  should  not  exceed 
$4000,  and  who  were  to  elect  the  faculty,  and  supply  vacancies 
in  their  board.  On  the  4th  of  June,  the  trustees  met,  and  adopt- 
ed a  constitution  which  provides  among  other  rules,  that  the 
board  of  trustees  shall  consist  of  six  clergymen,  and  six  laymen, 
of  each  denomination  in  charge  of  the  institution,  and  in  supply- 
ing vacancies,  the  rule  was  to  be  observed,  that  a  person  of  the 
same  class  and  sect,  should  be  elected,  and  that  the  Presbytery, 
or  the  Association,  as  the  case  might  be,  should  have  the  sole 
right  of  nominating  the  candidate.  The  faculty  was  to  consist 
of  a  principal,  vice  principal,  preceptors,  and  as  many  assistant 
teachers  as  the  board  might  deem  necessary,  and  a  board  of  visitors 
was  to  be  appointed  annually,  to  attend  all  examinations,  to  hear, 
adjudge  and  determine  all  appeals  fro>^  the  decisions  of  the 
faculty,  to  advise,  and  to  administer  the  formula  of  confession  of 
faith,  and  the  pledge  of  religious  fidelity  to  the  faculty.  A  male 
and  a  female  department  were  instituted,  to  be  kept  in  sepumte 
buildings,  at  a  conveinent  distance  from  each  other,  and  under 
the  government  of  the  same  principal.  This  article  did  not  pre- 
vent attendance  at  recitations  and  public  lectures  together  under 
the  direction  of  the  teachers.  Persons  subscribing  $50  might 
elect  one  pupil,  for  a  term  of  ten  years,  and  in  the  same  propor- 
tion for  a  larger  sum.  The  seal  adopted  by  the  trustees  was  the 
letter  I,  in  a  circle. 

The  following  persons  were  elected  the  first  faculty,  Rev.  James 
R.  Boyd,  pnnc/pa/,  Rev.  John  Covert,  vice  principal,  Mrs.  Covert, 
preceptress.  The  Rev.  Messrs.  Marcus  Smith,  and  S.  F.  Snow- 
den,  of  the  Presbytery,  and  N.  Dutton,  and  J.  H.  Monroe,  of  the 
Association,  were  appointed  the  first  visitors.  The  lot  still  oc- 
cupied by  the  institution,  on  the  corner  of  State  and  Mechanic 
streets  was  purchased  for  $4,500,  a  wooden  building  528  by  56 
feet,  for  students,  and  other  improvements  wee  erected,  and  in  the 
spring  of  1837,  was  commenced  the  erection  of  a  building  of 


r  i1 


/ 


382 


Itisfory  of  Acndemiea. 


11     I 


!' 


i;, 


stone  and  brick,  40  by  75  feet,  two  stories  high,  besides  the 
basement,  at  a  cost  of  $6,500.  The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice 
was  laid  with  religious  ceremonies  on  the  5th  of  June,  1838,  in 
the  presence  of  a  large  audience,  among  whom  was  Governor 
Marcy.  After  prayer  by  the  Kev.  I.  Brayton,  addresses  were 
delivered  by  the  Rev.  George  S.  Boardman,  antl  Mr.rcus  Smith. 
Among  the  articles  deposited  imder  the  corner  stone,  were  copies 
of  the  village  papers,  by-laws,  map,  assessment  roll  of  1832, 
catalogues,  and  reports;  a  history  of  the  institution,  list  of  trus- 
tees, teachers  and  donors,  &c. 

The  inauguration  of  the  faculty  occurred  on  the  13th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1836;  it  was  received  under  the  visitation  of  the  Regents, 
on  the  30lhof  Jantiary,  1838,  and  has  since  shared  in  the  distri- 
bution of  the  literature  fund.  Many  of  the  holders  of  stock  in 
the  old  stone  academy,  assigned  their  interest  to  the  new  institu- 
tion, and  on  the  last  of  November,  1838,  120  shares  had  been  thus 
transferred,  which  was  afterwards  increased  to  176  shares.  On  the 
19th  of  February,  1841,  an  act  was  passed,  in  accordance  with  the 
request  of  the  trustees,  dissolving  the  corporation  of  the  Watertown 
Academy.  In  February,  1841,  Mr.  Covert  was  dismissed  at  his 
own  request,  that  he  might  engage  in  a  new  institi>l;on  in  Colum- 
bus, O.,  and  John  C.  Sterling  was  elected  in  his  place.  In  July 
1841,  Rev.  Calvin  Yale  was  employed  as  a  teacher.  Mr.  Archi- 
bald Whitford,  who  had  been  employed  as  a  teacher  of  mathe- 
matics from  the  beginning  of  the  institution,  continued  to  fill 
that  station  with  eminent  success  until  December,  1844.  He 
was  afterwards  employed  as  a  collecting  agent. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  trustees  was  called,  February  23d, 
1846,  at  which  was  voted  an  application  for  a  change  of  name, 
which  was  granted  by  the  legislature  on  the  12th  of  May  follow- 
ing, when  it  was  changed  to  the  Jefferson  County  Institute. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  July  23d,  1846,  a  resolution  of  the 
Black  River  Association  was  concurred  in,  in  which  the  by-laws 
were  so  far  amended  as  to  require  the  principal  only  to  be  a 
minister  or  member  of  the  Congregational  or  Presbyterian 
church,  in  good  standing,  but  that  the  other  teachers  be  selected 
without  this  restriction  by  a  committee  of  the  trustees  appointed 
by  the  board  for  that  purpose,  of  which  the  principal  shall 
always  be  a  member.  In  January,  1847,  a  portion  of  the  real 
estate  previously  occupied  as  a  boarding  house  was  sold  to  liqui- 
date the  debts  of  the  institution.  These  premises  were  the  same 
now  occupied  by  the  State  Street  Methodist  Church. 

Mr.  Boyd,  who  had  fdled  the  office  of  principal  of  the  insti- 
tution from  the  beginning,  resigned  June  29,  1848,  with  the 
design  of  again  engaging  in  the  ministry. 

Mr.  D.  M.  Linsley  was  next  employed,  and  continued  the 


MM 


% 


382 


TV 


H 


Li,  I 


fkmy  (tf  jitaidmdmi^ 


stot?  m^  '^i.^'k,  m  W  ;r f«et,  two  stofb*  w^ 
■'^mmmk  '^^  ^  <  '*f  of  #ft»'^K    TIi«  comer  nam  <^  tbit 
iy  fs^<!f  wiJIi  r>^(i^«H«t  ««r«^e»or<4«»  on  the  A^'ef  Jutnti  liHI  lb 
^l^^iswmw  */  H  i»f)^.  au*iieiw>»,  at«otw  w)i<ftt)  wa$  r5*>v4rnor 

****Pl  ^  il|!ii(|^,ile^|«^  ww!vr  thtp  corner  sTone,  wc^e  copi^ 
M  m'nm^  mpm,  fey-ifaiiK  ««»)»x  j«*»*iw»f0t  roll  of  imi 
f^m^^s,  «ixif  jr«ports;  a  hmnt}  nl  th«  }iM«rta<ion»  list  of  tn»* 

*tw»»,  tisHw^icr*  and  Hdn'>r«»  &,% 

^J*  ****^"**""  **^  *^  ^*^^^*?  <*fcurr«d  ofj  ft)«  I3th  of  S*p- 

OB  Ojcr  3<Hi*<rf  January,  !S;^»ut*«i  itt^  since  ?*;i«f«d  iiilb^^rtri* 
i)uU«*  of  tin  literature  fw*4.  M»i>y  wT  ib«  j^ohf^m  of  iftoeir  i» 
tb*  okt  stone  acad<snjy^  inftigiHi^  ^.VJr  inte^.«{  fo  «b^  jte^  itistitu^ 
tion,andon  the  last  of  J^crember,  1*^38,  li^O^^t^refl  bad  beenthitt 
tran^rred,  which  wa«  afterwarite  innr«attiMi  t«  176  shades.  On  th«ri 
19th  ofFebrtiary,  184 1,  an  act  was  paaw*!'*,  in  «eGori}ait<!e  with  ie 
request  of  thetrustees,£!lssoIvingthecorporatio»  of  theWaterto#« 
,  Academy.  In  February,  1841,  Mr.  Covert  n'jis  di«tn««ed  at  Ith 
own  request,  that  he  might  engage  in  a  new  Justitution  (n  Ooluw- 
bus,  0„  and  John  C.  Sieriing  was  elected  m  his  place.  In  /»% 
1841,  Rev,  Calvjn  Yale  was  employeil  as  a  f  eacher.  Mr.  Arcit^ 
bald  Whitfwd,  who  hud  Iwco  employed  asr  a  Ut^htf  ^^  ptMKl^ 
naatics  from  the  begJ}WH.|^  of  (h.>  instU«*faw*,  *'«{«ttl*«N#1ft  iS^ 


^,  --f- 


^ia|L    -Jfr^'r    -4-       t,4.  I'J.      .' 

mtDuHvir  or  w^^t?*^   f** 

chnrt^,  in  good  <f'«-5fT. 

v^lthout  this  re8tr»t?t«r 

by  the  board  foi   H  ■< 

always  be  ?i  member,     b' 

estate -preTiomiy  oncupiedl  ^t.  i,  V^*f4i'^|i*.'rii»'  w»^y»f.?  <?r?-i^' 

date  the  debts  of  the  instUutinn.     *  '•.-.'mpint.m^  wer*"  iW  irkjv*. 

now  occupied  by  the  State  Sfieet  Mfthodist  Chw^b. 

Mr.  Boyd,  who  had  filled  the  offi<ic  nf  j>rjfjcipa{  of  th-*  h\*< 
tution  from  (he  '  eginniug,  resigned  June  :Jf),   ]84»{,   Ai^  .,5t«. 
de-jign  of  again  engagiiijis:  in  the  ministry, 

Mr.  D.  M.  Litidey  was  next  employed,  and  cont»«a*#- iisf 


-  'H'  f\^-'^-^.^  <Mitnip  ^M'f«fKfl^ 
h^h^Ty:    iSitti,  a  r«B(>)iitioe..«f '^ 
r.  f^  ^.i.'-    i  i-^i  i>t,  ;*)  wbK'ii  th/^  feV'f*'^ 
•  '   '  •      "     'w4jri:<>  i^al  <mH' Vt  t»j^ -^ 


>'■  Infill. 

#1 


'i;'::!;:'"^' 

,','#'■,•'- 


■'/',  'i 


f;f> 


."'*. 


t  i 


^-  <.  •  "'■■ 


•    A 


''■:"•  %:^ 


'1i 


i'- 


•i;*4»j 


■^  f 

'>"'■;■ 


;•  '. 


'  -jj^  ••,-:«*■■■ 


-.-fc^ 


•^.••v 


princ 
melee 
A.  P 
•natur 
elocut 
rian; 
E.  Pa 
Miss 
Miss 
Trow 
A  r* 
female 
This  ii 


-W  :■■*... 


..  M-'- 


■-^3^* 


Mr 


•in.. 


'  •■;;:, 


"^     Union  Literary  Society,  Belleville. 


385 


principal  until  the  spring  of  1863,  when  the  Rev.  Alvan  Par- 
melee  was  employed.  The  present  faculty  consists  of  the  Rev. 
A.  Parmelee,  principal;  Rev.  James  H.  Carrutb,  teacher  of 
natural  sciences;  David  L.  Parmelee,  teacher  of  languages  and 
elocution;  Avery  S.  Walker,  teacher  of  mathematics  and  libra- 
rian; George  D.  Mann,  teacher  of  instrumental  music;  Miss  A. 
E.  Parmelee,  preceptress  and  teacher  of  English  literature; 
Miss  H.  M.  Searle,  teacher  of  French,  drawing  and  fainting; 
Miss  L.  M.  Hastings,  teacher  of  primary  department;  Amasa 
Trowbridge,  M.  D.,  lecturer  on  anatomy  and  physiology. 

A  recent  catalogue  gives  the  names  of  264  male,  and  258 
female  pupils  attending  during  the  year  ending  December,  1853. 
This  institution  was  never  more  flourishing  than  at  present.  It 
is  one  of  the  academies  selected  for  instruction  of  teachers  for 
district  schools.  The  official  returns  of  the  trustees  to  the  Re- 
gents of  the  University  give  the  following  statistics: 


Yean. 

Literature 
money. 

Tuition. ; 

Student* 

Years. 

Literature 
money. 

Tuition. 

Students 

1837 

$159-35 

$2,800 

155* 

1845 

$253-35 

$2,325 

304 

1838 

365-96 

3,106 

320* 

1846 

165-74 

1,701 

20^ 

1839 

466-22 

3,576 

225* 

1847 

204-15 

1,686 

233 

1840 

567-02 

3,580 

225* 

1848 

265-90 

1,570 

182 

1841 

306-41 

r,393 

228* 

1849 

266-44 

1,656 

307 

1842 

260-00 

3,406 

160* 

1850 

323-80 

2,239 

382 

1843 

233-32 

2,879 

126* 

1851 

339-60 

1,805 

353 

1844 

230-52 

2,644 

403 

1852 

452-71 

2,818 

387 

Total, 

4,850  49 

41,184 

The  Union  Literary  Society,  at  Belleville,  in  Ellisburgh,  was 
originated  by  the  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Joshua  Bradley,  a  Baptist 
clergyman,  who,  about  1824,t  began  to  labor  to  interest  the  pub- 
lic in  the  cause  of  education,  and  drew  up  a  plan  upon  the 
manual  labor  system,  which,  he  represented,  would  combine  all 
the  advantages  that  an  academy  could  bestow,  and  afford  a  re- 
venue from  its  earnings  to  sufficiently  remunerate  the  stockhold- 
ers. With  this  expectation,  stock  was  subscribed,  a  lot  given  by 
Giles  Hall,  and  on  the  13th  of  April,  1826,  an  act  of  incorpo- 
ration was  obtained,  by  which,  Jotham  Bigelow,  Orin  Howard, 
James  W.  Kennedy,  John  Hagedorn,  Amos  Heald,  Peter  N. 
Cushman,  Wesson  Thomas,  Pardon  Earl,  Samuel  S.  Haws,  Ed- 

•  The  number  of  students  attending  at  date  of  report. 

t  The  records  of  this  academy,  previous  to  1840,  were  lost  from  the  gross 
carelessness  'of  the  clerk,  which  prevents  that  precision  of  dates  from  being 
attained  which  might  be  desired. 


mi 


'm': 


386 


Union  Literary  Society^  BeUeviUe. 


ward  Boomer,  Sidney  Houghton,  Benjamin  Barney,  Samuel 
Boyden,  Ebehezer  Webster,  Israel  Kellogg,  Jr.,  Jesse  Hubbard, 
Hiram  Taylor,  Henry  Green,  Rufus  Hatch,  Charles  B.  Pond, 
Calvin  Clark,  John  Barney,  1st,  Samuel  Pierce,  and  Godfrey  W. 
Barney,  Avere  constituted,  with  such  as  might  associate  with  them, 
a  body  corporate,  to  have  perpetual  succession,  and  limited  in 
their  powers  to  the  support  of  an  academic  school;  the  yearly 
income  of  their  estate  might  not  exceed  $5,000.  The  number 
of  their  trustees  from  24  to  30,  to  be  elected  annually,  or  until 
others  are  chosen.  Elections  to  be  held  on  the  first  Wednesday 
of  November,  and  ihe  payment  of  five  dollars  entitled  to  one 
vote. 

Some  disappointment  was  felt,  from  there  not  being  inserted 
a  provision  for  dividends  from  avails  of  the  land,  rents  of  rooms, 
and  otherwise,  as  was  anticipated;  but  though  there  Wtis  no 
chance  of  profits,  they  still  felt  a  lively  interest  for  the  welfare 
of  the  school,  and  put  forth  their  best  energies  to  sustain  it,  for 
the  benefit  of  the  place,  and  of  the  pupils  who  attended. 

While  preparations  for  building  were  pending,  a  school  was 
commenced  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Haff,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Bradley, 
which  was  taught  for  a  time  in  a  private  house  at  Mather's  Mills, 
one  mile  above  Belleville,  and  afterwards  in  the  Baptist  church. 
The  location  of  the  institution  having  been  settled  with  some 
difficulty,  from  the  struggle  of  rival  interests,  the  erection  was 
commenced  in  1829,  and  on  the  first  of  January,  1830,  the  pre- 
sent academic  building  was  dedicated.  On  the  5th  of  the  same 
month,  it  was  received  under  the  visitation  of  the  Regents,  upon 
the  application  of  the  trustees,  and  Benjamin  Durfee,  Nahum 
Houghton,  James  McCumber,  Henry  Shaver,  Jesse  Brewster, 
Matthew  Green,  Thomas  Clark,  Amos  Pratt,  Daniel  Wait,  Cul- 
ver Clark,  Jotham  Littlefield,  Wadsworth  Mayhew,  and  Charles 
Avery,  who  had  contributed  to  its  erection. 

Charles  Avery,  now  a  professor  in  Hamilton  College,  was  ap- 
pointed principal,  and  for  a  time  the  academy  flourished  to  a 
degree  that  justified  the  highest  expectation  of  its  friends,  and 
attracted  great  numbers  of  students  from  distant  parts  of  the 
county.  Mr.  Isaac  Slater  served  as  assistant  the  first  year,  and 
William  D.  Waterman  the  second,  at  the  end  of  which  Mr.  Averv 
was  succeeded  by  Mr.  La  Rue  Thompson,  who  staid  two  years, 
and  was  followed  by  George  W.  Eaton,  who  remained  a  year. 
Joseph  Muliin  and  H.  H.  Barney  were  next  employed;  the  first, 
for  one,  the  other  for  two  years,  when  the  school  was  for 
some  time  closed.  In  1837,  Mr.  T.  C.  Hill  was  employed  a 
year,  when  the  building  was  closed  by  the  mortgagee.  Efforts 
were  then  made  throughout  the  town  to  free  the  institution  from 
debt,  and  in  this  the  llev.  J.  Burchard  took  an  especial  interest, 
and  these  efforts  were  attended  with  success. 


I 


I  10 


'i 


w^m 

u 

■■i.M 

if 
II 

PI 

388 


,    Orleans  Academy. 


The  Rev.  G.  J.  King  was  next  employed  as  nrincipal,  and  at 
the  end  of  a  year,  he  associated  with  Richard  Ellis  as  joint  prin- 
cipal, and  in  a  few  months  was  succeeded  by  the  latter.  He  filled 
that  station  about  three  years.  Orsemus  Cole,  R.  Ellis,  Calvin 
Littlefield,  Geo.  Ramsay,  John  P.  Houehton,  and  J.  Dunbar 
Houghton,  have  since  been  employed;  the  latter  having  been  for 
the  last  two  years  the  principal.  This  institution  is  in  a  highly 
flourishing  condition,  and  enjoys  to  a  great  degree  the  merited 
confidence  of  the  public. 

Early  in  1831,  a  petition  was  made  for  a  tax  upon  the  county, 
in  aid  of  the  institution,  which  procured  a  favorable  report,*  and 
a  bill  for  that  purpose,  but  which  failed  to  become  a  law. 

The  library  of  the  Savcrtian  Society,  connected  with  this 
academy,  was  formed  under  the  general  act,  April  12,  1833, 
with  Edward  Kellogg,  Thomas  J.  Field,  CM.  Elbridge,  Roswell 
Barber,  0.  S.  Harmon,  Wm.  T.  Searles,  L.  H.  Brown,  and  Allen 
Nims,  trustees,  which  was  continued  till  1848.  There  is  belonging 
to  the  academy,  a  small  library,  and  a  fine  collection  of  apparatus, 
for  illustrating  the  physical  sciences.  The  building  was  designed 
to  embrace  a  steward's  department,  which  is  not  now  maintained, 
and  contains,  besides  recitation  and  school  rooms,  about  a  dozen 
apartments  for  students. 

The  money  received  from  the  literature  fund,  and  tuition,  and 
the  number  of  students  for  each  year,  are  shown  in  the  following 
table,  derived  from  the  official  reports  of  the  trustees  to  the 
Regents  of  the  University: 


Literature 

No.  of 

Literature 

No.  of 

Years. 

Money. 

Tuition. 

studHs 

Yearn. 

Money. 

Tuition. 

stud'tS' 

1829.... 

$189-00 

$1,370  00 

1843.   . 

$250-02 

$670'00 

53t 

1830.... 

132- 24 

769 -96 

30t 

1844... 

136-44 

350-00 

110 

1831.... 

166-46 

920-00 

52t 

1845... 

161-78 

266-00 

86 

1832.... 

101-10 

393-63 

35t 

1846... 

151-45 

326-00 

95 

1833.... 

4.5-69 

450-00 

26t 

1847... 

229-31 

530-00 

118 

1834.... 

83-83 

500-00 

60t 

1848... 

249-95 

675-00 

138 

1835.... 

70-80 

460  00 

53t 

1849... 

205.89 

447-00 

97 

1836.... 

70-00 

400-00 

30t 

1850... 

169-72 

180-00 

89 

1837.... 

42-40 

425-00 

30  f 

1851... 

196-40 

253-00 

120 

1841.... 

297-82 
307-50 

1,000-00 
750-00 

82t 
60t 

1852... 
Total.. 

164-28 
3,427-10 

703-00 

188 

1842.... 

11,738-59 

The  Orleans  .Academy,  first  began  to  be  discussed,  in  August 
1850,  on  the  12th  of  which  month  a  meeting  was  convened  at 
the  Baptist  Church,  in  La  Fargeville,  several  plans  were  proposed, 
and  a  room  was  temporarily  fitted  up  for  a  school,  Mr.  Burton 


*  Assembly  Documents,  1831,  vol.  3,  No.  263. 
t  Numbers  of  students  attending  at  date  of  report. 


BrownviUe  Female  Seminary. 


389 


B.  Townsend,  being  the  first  teacher.  In  the  summer  of  1851,  a 
wooden  building,  40  by  70,  and  two  stories  high,  was  commenced 
and  partly  finished,  when,  on  the  16th  of  July  1861,  it  was  blown 
down  in  a  gale,  but  rebuilt  the  same  season.  It  stands  on  a  lot 
of  one  acre  adjoining  the  Congregational  Church.  Its  cost  has 
been  about  $2,600,  and  the  sulwcription  is  in  shares  of  $10  each. 

An  application  to  the  Regents  was  made,  January  27, 1852, 
and  on  the  6th  of  February,  a  charter  was  granted,  allowing  the 
school  to  share  in  the  literature  fund,  upon  freeing  itself  from 
debt,  and  acquiring  an  estate  of  not  less  than  $2,600.  The  trus- 
tees first  named  were  Lewis  T.  Ford,  Loren  Bushnell,  John  N. 
Rottiers,  Elisha  Sawyer,  John  Tallman,  Hiram  DeweV)  Brainard 
Everett,  John  Foot,  Hiram  Mitchell,  Eldridge  O.  IVlerrick,  Lu- 
ther Lamson,  Edgar  W.  Beedle,  Daniel  Richardson,  David  J. 
Dewev,  Hiram  P.  Dillenback,  John  Hill,  Henry  Erwin,  Russel 
B.  Biddlecom,  Nathan  Elmer,  Ashley  Tanner,  James  Green, 
Rufus  Smith,  Parley  Brown,  and  David  Joy.  The  trustees  have 
not  hitherto  reported,  or  become  entitled  to  a  share  of  the  litera- 
ture fund.  The  subscriptions  due  the  coming  year,  with  another 
effort  that  will  be  made,  are  hoped  to  free  it  from  debt.  It  has 
the  nucleus  of  a  library  and  apparatus,  and  the  schools  taught 
here  have  averaged  about  40  pupils.  It  is  at  present  under  the 
charge  of  the  Rev.  E.  Sawyer. 

The  Brotonville  Female  Seminary  was  formed  in  pursuance 
of  articles  dated  October  15,  1849,  by  which  subscriptions,  in 
shares  of  $50,  were  to  be  taken  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a  capi- 
tal of  $3,000,  for  the  above  object.  This  has  since  been  doubled. 
There  were,  at  first,  about  twenty-four  holders  of  stock,  but 
these  have  since  been  reduced  to  half  that  number.  The  principal 
share  holders  at  present  (July,  1853)  are  William  Lord,  12; 
G.  Lord,  10;  J.Bradley,  10;  the  Kirby  family,  10;  J.  E.  Brown, 
4;  and  a  few  others. 

On  the  28th  November,  1849,  it  was  chartered  by  the  Regents, 
but  it  has  never  reported,  nor  shared  in  the  literature  fund  of  the 
state.  The  first  preceptress  was  Miss  Mary  F.  Bloomfield,  who 
was  succeeded  by  Miss  H.  M.  Foster,  and  it  is  now  under  the 
charge  of  Rev.  George  B.  Eastman.  The  seminary  was  opened 
May  1,  1850.    It  embraces  both  a  boarding  and  day  school. 


.■;! 


390 


Societiet  and  Ajuociationt. 


CHAPTER  X. 

SOCIETIES  AND  ASSOCIATIONS. 

Religions. — Many  of  the  older  churches  in  the  county  were 
formed  by  missionaries,  sent  out  by  the  New  England  societies. 
Among  the  more  early  of  these  was  the  Rev.  James  W.  Wood- 
ward, who,  in  1802,  spent  four  months  in  these  settlements.  In 
his  report,  he  acknowledged  $1,  collected  in  Adams,  flAy 
cents  in  Watertown,  $3'47i  in  Rutland,  $1*60  in  Champion, 
and  twenty-five  cents  in  firownville.  Nathaniel  Dutton,  John 
Taylor,  and  R.  Phelps,  from  the  Hampshire  society,  and  Ira 
Hart  and  Lathrop  Thompson,  from  Connecticut;  E.  Lazelle, 
David  R.  Dixon,  Oliver  Leavitt,  David  Spear.  Oliver  Alger, 
Bennet  Taylor,  and  others,  were  among  the  early  missionaries  of 
the  county. 

Watertown  Presbytery — The  Synod  of  Albany,  ac  Utica, 
October  3,  1816,  formed  the  Presbytery  of  St.  LawrencCy  from 
that  of  Oneida,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  James  Murdock,  Isaac  Clinton, 
Samuel  F.  Snowden,  Jedulhan  Higby,  and  David  Banks,  with 
the  congregations  at  Martinsburgh  and  Ogdensburgh,  comprised 
the  new  body,  which  embraced  Lewis,  Jefferson,  and  the  most  of 
St  Lawrence  counties.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  Martins- 
burgh, October  31,  1816.  In  January,  1822,  the  Ogdemburgh 
Presbytery  was  set  off,  including  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence,  and 
the  first  meeting  being  directed  to  be  held  at  DeKalb.  At  the 
February  session,  182;",  at  Champion,  the  following  resolution 
was  pasf.ed: 

"  Thfit  it  be  recommended  to  each  member  of  the  Presbytery, 
to  use  his  influence  in  the  society  where  he  belongs,  that  certain 
fields  Of;  set  apart  and  sown  or  planted  with  some  valuable  crop, 
and  cultivated  in  the  best  manner,  and  that  the  avails  of  said 
field,  together  with  the  free-will  offerings  or  donations  from 
mechanics  or  merchants,  be  appropriated  to  the  missionary,  Bible 
and  educational  funds,  equally,  or  to  one  of  them  only,  as  the 
donor  shall  desire,  and  that  the  said  avails  bf  transmitted  to  the 
deposit  at  Watertown,  or  any  other  place  which  may  hereafter 
be  appointed.'* 

In  September,  1824,  the  subject  of  establishing  a  Domestic 
Missionary  Society,  and  a  Sabbath  School  Union,  came  up  for 
action,  but  both  these  were  postponed.  The  Presbytery  subse- 
quently resolved  itself  into  a  Benevolent  Association,  and  recom- 
mended the  formation  of  auxiliaries  in  the  several  churches.  In 
1830,  the  name  was  changed  to  the  Watertoton  Presbytery. 


The  Presby 
to  this  presby 
drew. 

A  compend 
gives  the  folio 
church,  with 
church  united 
Harbor,  15; 
Watertown,  9 
1823,  Sackets 
ofhcers;  1824 
Leyden,  1st,  4 
Cape  Vincent, 
Adams,  25;  1 
to  Presbyteria 
religious  exci 
churches.    Th 
to  the  meeting 
the  revivals  of 
larly  active  at 
ney,  at  Anlw 
acquired  a  ver 

In  the  sumr 
ligious  reviva 
ings"  were  hel 
conversion,  an 
These  proceed 
of  the  citizens 
2,1831,  at  wh 
made,  and  re: 
ments  on  this 
pure  religion 
day  were  dene 

The  Black 
on  the  first  Tu 
gates  from  chi 
Denmark,  Chs 
Lorraine.  Al 
After  diligent 
tics  of  this  bo( 

Methodist  I 
at  present  eml 
is  one,  and  thi 
New  York,  G( 
it  was  formed 
17,  1841.  Gi 
Gardner  Bake 


Religiouu  A§iocitUion». 


391 


The  Presbyterian  church  in  Kingston  for  many  years  belonged 
to  this  presbytery.  At  the  February  meeting  of  1834,  it  with- 
drew. 

A  compendium  drawn  up  bv  order  of  the  Presbytery  in  1828, 
gives  the  following  facts  in  relation  to  religious  revivals  in  that 
churchi  with  the  numbers  added.  1815,  Lowville,  1st  and  2d 
church  united,  25  added;  1817,  Rutland,  30;  1818,  Sackets 
Harbor,  15;  18l9,Adams,65;  1820, Sackets  Harbor, 70;  1821, 
Watertown,  93;  1822,  Rutland, 20,  Adams,  62,  Brownville,  20; 
1823,  Sackets  Harbor,  25, mostly  from  the  army,  and  families  of 
ofhcers;  1824,  Lowville,  1st  95,  2d  16,  Martinsburgh,  23, 
Leyden,  l8t,42,  Ellisburgh,  20,  Denmark,  1st  and  2d  united,  30, 
Cape  Vincent,  30,  Antwerp,  35,  Le  Ray,  30,  Orleans,  15;  1826, 
Adams,  25;  1827,  Watertown,  29,  Smithville,  25;  total  added 
to  Presbyterian  churches,  840.  The  above  years  were  noted  for 
religious  excitements,  and  great  numbers  united  with  other 
churches.  The  authority  above  quoted  attributes  much  of  this 
to  the  meeting  of  the  Albany  Synod  at  Brownville  in  1820.  In 
the  revivals  of  1824,  the  Rev.  Jedediah  Burchard,  was  particu- 
larly active  at  Ellisburgh  and  Cape  Vincent,  and  Charles  G.  Fin- 
ney, at  Antwerp,  Le  Ray,  Brownville,  &c.  Both  have  since 
acquired  a  very  unusual  degree  of  celebrity  as  Evangelists. 

In  the  summer  of  1831,  there  occurred  another  series  of  re- 
ligious revivals  throughout  the  country,  and  "protracted  meet- 
ings" were  held  in  nearly  every  village.  Great  numbers  professed 
conversion,  and  all  the  evangelical  churches  received  accessions. 
These  proceedings  were  strongly  discountenanced  by  a  portion 
of  the  citizens,  and  led  to  a  convention  at  the  court  house,  July 
2, 1831,  at  which  addresses  deprecating  these  excitements  were 
made,  and  resolutions  were  published  expresf;ing  their  senti- 
ments on  this  subject.  In  these,  a  conscientious  approval  of 
pure  religion  was  avowed,  but  the  popular  excitements  of  the 
day  were  denounced  as  whirlwinds  of  moral  desolation. 

The  Black  River  Association  (Congregational)  was  formed 
on  the  first  Tuesday  of  September,  1807,  at  Lowville,  by  dele- 
gates from  churches  at  East  and  West  Leyden,  Turin,  Lowville, 
^Denmark,  Champion,  Rutland,  Watertown,  Rodman,  Adams  and 
Lorraine.  About  1851,  the  name  was  changed  to  Consociation. 
After  diligent  enquiries,  we  have  failed  to  obtain  further  statis- 
tics of  this  body. 

Methodist  Episcopal  Societies. — The  Black  River  Conference 
at  present  embraces  about  a  dozen  counties,  of  which  Jefferson 
is  one,  and  this  territory  has  successively  formed  a  part  of  the 
New  York,  Genesee,  and  Oneida  conferences.  As  it  now  exists 
it  was  formed  in  1836.  This  conference  was  incorporated  April 
17,  1841.  George  Gary,  John  Dempster,  Nathaniel  Salisbury, 
Gardner  Baker,  William  S.  Bow^dish,  Isaac  Stone,  and  Lewis 


s.n 


P^'ttffioiu  AtMuctatiatu. 


■    1 

r 


Whitcomb  heinjt  named  'he  firot  trustees.  It  may  hold  ri^nl 
estutc  not  exceeding  $20,UU0,  and  possess  u  clear  yearly  iticoiue 
not  exceeding)^  10,000,  from  real  and  personal  property. 

Districts. — The  county  has  been  a  part  of  Albany,  Cayuga, 
Oneida,  and  i31ack  K'ver  districts,  and  at  present  is  compriM.'(l 
in  the  Adams,  Watei  town,  and  Ogdensburgh  districts,  which 
were  formed  as  follows:  Black  River,  1820;  Gouverneur,  1839; 
Watertown,  1840  (embracing  the  county);  Adams,  1844;  Og- 
densburgh, 1852.  The  presiding  elders  of  these  have  been; 
Black  River  District,  1820,  K.  M.  Kverts;  1824,  Daniel  Barns; 
1826,  Goodwin  Stoddard;  1827,  Nathaniel  Salisbury;  1832, 
Josiah  Keyes;  1833,  J.  Dempster;  1836,  i).  Baker.  Gouvern- 
eur District,  1839,  W.  S.  Bowdish.  Watertown  District,  1'  40, 
N.  Salisbury;  1842,  Lewis  Whitcomb;  1844,  N.  Salisbury, 
1845,  L.  Whitcomb;  1849,  G.  Baker.  Mams  District,  1844, 
Lewis  Whitcomb;  1845,  N.  Salisbury;  1847,  J.  Stone;  1848, 
George  C.  Woodruff;  1850,  George  Gary;  1863,  J.  Phelps. 
Ogdemburgh  District,  1852,  H.  Shepard. 

Until  1815,  the  entire  county,  with  extensive  territory  besides, 
formed  but  one  circuit,  and  was  supplied  by  one  or  two  preach- 
ers, who,  in  the  performance  of  their  duties,  were  required  to 
make  long  and  tedious  journeys  through  the  scattered  settlements. 
There  was  formed  in  1804  the  Black  River  Circuit.  The 
preachers  appointed  wivf .  1804,  Griifm  Sweet,  Asa  Cunimings; 
1805,  G.  Sweet,  Seymour  Ensign;  1806,  Matthew  Van  Duzeu, 
William  Vredenburj^h,  1807;  Datus  Ensign,  1808;  MathewVaa 
Duzen,  Luther  Bishop;  1809,  L.  Bishop;  William  Jewett;  1810, 
Joseph  Willis,  Chandley  Lambert;  1811,  William  Snow, Truman 
Gillet;  1812,  Joseph  Kinkead ;  18 13,  Isaac  Puffer,  Goodwin  Stod- 
dard; 1814,  C.  Lambert;  1815,  Ira  Fairbanks,  Jason  Hazen. 
In  18 15  Sandy  Creek  Circuit,  embracing  a  part  of  the  county, 
was  formed,  and  James  Bowen  appointed.  Circuits  have  since 
been  established,  as  follows.  Those  marked  (f )  have  been  super- 
ceded. 


1818,  Wntertown.t 
1821,  Indian  River.f 
182(i,  Le  Ray  and  Watertuwn.f 
1827,  Cope  Vincent. 
1829,  Le  Ray  and  Carthace.f 
1829,  Brownville  and  S.  Hartrar.f 
1829,  Adams. 
1832,  Theresa. 
18:i3,  Antwerp. 

18?4,  Pulaski  and  Mannsville.f 
tf<<6,  a  nhage. 
8:^f^,  Mannsville. 
:.8.3t ,  Rodman. 
Jii3'^,  Natural  13tr;dge. 
1639,  Evans'  Alilla. 


1840,  Dexter  !  .1  Pillar  Pointf 

1810,  PhiJaaftlijl.ii.. 

1842,  Pillar  'V.iuu 

1842,  Belh  < 

1842,  HendersoD. 

1842,  EllisburKh. 

1846,  Three  Mile  Bay. 

1847,  Smithvilie. 

1848,  Pamelia  Corners. 

1848,  Depauville. 

1849,  Watertown,  Arsenal  street 
18'<d,  Watertown,  State  street. 

1850,  Champion. 

1851,  La  Fargeviil^. 


ReJifTi  m»  Socieliflif. 


393 


The  date  of  formation  of  Alexandrin,  Black  River,  Brown- 
vllle,  Clayton,  and  Sackets  Ji  'rbor  circuiis,  were  not  procuretl. 

The  Black  River  Baptist  dissociation  was  foriue(!  in  1808  of 
the  following  churches  and  number  cf  members,  the  elde/*^  ^^f 
each  being  given  in  Italics. 

Adams  45,  Timothy  Heath;  Brownville  47,  Timothy  Pool; 
Champion  25;  Denmark  29,  Peleg  Card;  Henderson  42,  Emory 
Osgiid;  I^rraine  M2,  Jimos  iMmpson;  Rutland  2,  churches  of 
^J  BTil  34  members;  Turin  65,  Stephen  Parsons.  In  1802, 
i>f.^  ti' .  missionaries  had  begun  to  labor  in  this  section,  among 
whom  Peter  P.  Root  and  Stephen  Parsons  were  prominent.  In 
SlO,  the  missionary  limits  of  this  body  were  defmed,  as  north 
uf  Black  River  to  include  Le  Ray,  and  the  new  settlements  in 
St.  Lawrence  and  Oswegatchie,  and  south  to  include  Mexico  on 
the  Salmon  River,  and  the  new  settlements  contiguous  there  *o. 
Solomon  Johnson,  Emory  Osgood,  and  Martin  E.  Cook,  were  to 
spend  the  ensuing  year,  5  weeks  each,  and  Amos  Lamson  .) 
weeks.  In  1818,  an  association  of  84  ladies  in  Hendprion, 
styled  The  United  Female  Society  in  Henderson,  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  promoting  foreign  missions,  memorialixed  the 
association  and  forwarded  $88*74  to  aid  in  this  purpose.  This 
example  was  followed  by  others,  and  in  1817  reports  were  re- 
f'.eived  from  the  Henderson  and  Ellisburgh  Missionary  Society, 
the  Female  Mission  Society  in  Ijorraine,  the  Female  Mite 
Society  in  Rutland,  the  Female  Society  in  Brownville,  the 
Baptist  Female  Society  in  Rodman,  and  the  Female  Mite 
Society  in  Ellisburgh,  who,  with  the  churches,  contributed 
$243*79  for  missions.  In  the  same  year  the  Black  River 
Baptist  Missionary  Society  was  formed.  In  1818,  several 
auxiliaries  to  this  were  organized,  which  had  but  a  short  duration. 
In  1818-9,  Elder  Solomon  Johnson  was  employed  several 
months  in  missionary  labors  in  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin 
counties.  The  missionary  society,  up  to  1844,  had  received 
$7,837,  of  which  more  than  $2000  had  been  applied  to  foreign 
missions,  and  the  balance  spent  in  this  and  neighboring  counties. 
The  Jefferson  Union  .Association  existed  4  years,  an«l  in  1838 
went  down.  From  1815  to  1819,  516  had  been  added  to  the 
churches,  and  in  1821,  373  more.  In  1825,  four  or  five  hundred, 
and  in  l8'U-4,  more  than  1,500.  It  was  during  ihis  period  that 
Elder  Jacob  Knapp  first  began  preaching  as  an  evangr.list,  and 
in  this  county  commenced  that  series  of  protracted  meetings 
with  the  Baptist  churches,  that  has  since  rendered  his  name  cele- 
brated. The  excitements  raised  by  his  labors  were  here  generally 
transient  ano  followed  by  a  reaction.  By  the  report  of  1853, 
there  were  26  churches  in  Jeffersc  i,  7  in  Lewis,  and  1  in 
Oneida,  belonging  to  this  a&oociation.    The  year  previous  37 


395 


Religious  Associations. 


had  been  baptized,  11  received  by  letter,  6  restored,  115  dis- 
missed, 34  excluded,  42  died.  Present  number,  2,927.  Churches 
in  this  county  exist  at  Adams  (Davis'  Corners),  Adams  Centre, 
Adams  Village,  2  in  Alexandria,  Antwerp,  Steele's  Corners, 
Belleville,  Carthage,  Clayton,  Depauville,  Great  Bend,  Hender- 
son, La  Fargeville,  Lorraine,  Le  Ray,  Lyme,  Mannsville,  Perch 
River,  Philadelphia,  Rodman,  Smithville,  Tylerville,  Woodville, 
Watertown,  and  North  Wilna. 

On  the  28th  of  January,  1820,  Martin  E.  Cook,  Sardis  Little, 
Emery  Osgood  and  others  were  incorporated  as  the  Black  River 
Baptist  Missionary  Society.  The  first  meeting  was  to  be  held 
at  the  brick  school  house,  near  Elisha  Morgan's,  in  Rutland, 

The  Free  Communion  Baptist  Black  River  Yearly  Meeting, 
was  organized  and  adopted  a  constitution  in  September,  1880, 
although  meetings  had  been  held  previously.  The  limits  of  this 
body  were  defined  as  bounded  west  by  the  Genesee  River,  south 
by  the  Mohawk,  and  east  by  the  East  Canada  Creek,  embracing 
the  country  north  of  Utica  within  these  limits.  In  1831,  this 
body  reported  churches  in  Alexandria,  Lyme,  and  Orleans,  where 
societies  had  mostly  been  formed  by  settlers  from  Russia,  New 
York,  where  the  sect  was  by  far  the  most  numerous.  Subsequent 
minutes  report  societies  at  Houndsfield,  Clayton,  and  Philadel- 
phia. This  body  has  since  been  merged  in  the  Freewill  Baptist 
Church. 

The  Black  River  Branch  .Association  of  Universalists,  was 
formed  in  pursuance  of  a  resolution  of  the  Western  Association  of 
June,  1823,  and  in  accordance  with  a  request  made  at  a  con- 
vention of  members  from  the  societies  of  Watertown,  Rutland, 
Brownville,  Henderson,  Ellisburgh,  and  Richland,  assembled  at 
Watertown,  January  8, 1823.  It  at  first  included  St.  Lawrence  Co., 
but  by  a  resolution  of  1829,  its  limits  were  defined  as  embracing 
Lewis,  Jefferson,  and  Oswego  counties.  On  the  formation  of  the 
New  York  State  Convention  of  Universalists,  in  1825,  the  name  of 
this  was  changed  to  the  Black  River  Jlssociation,  whose  annual 
meetings  are  held  on  the  third  Wednesday,  and  Thursday  of  June. 
It  at  present  has  societies  in  Brownville,  Carthage,  Champion, 
Dexter,  Ellisburgh,  Henderson,  Lyme,  Pamelia,  Rutland,  and 
Watertown.  Sunday  Schools  were  first  established  by  this  sect 
at  Watertown,  in  1830,  and  now  exist  at  Dexter,  Ellisburgh, 
Henderson,  and  Watertown. 

The  Le  Ray  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends,  was  formed  in  1816, 
and  consists  of  the  Le  Ray  (formerly  Pleasant  Creek)  and  Indian 
River  (Philadelphia);  Preparative  Meetings  with  Lowville,  and 
Lee,  it  forms  the  Le  Ray  Quarterly  Meeting,  which  belongs  to 
the  Jfew  York  Yearly  Meeting.  In  1828,  the  doctrines  of  Elias 
Hicks,  divided  the  Friends  here  as  elsewhere,  but  the  latter  have 


for  some 

belongec 

the  meet 

Le  Rays 

Friends  I 

25  faraili 

Luthei 

followinf! 

Frankear 

Dox  as 

County  8; 

to  yield  tl 

labors. 

River  am 

God  wro 

Churches 

Mills;  bu 

respecting 

churches  ' 

members  ' 

On  the  I3i 

River,  con 

Mills.    iM 

(now  Orle 

of  thirty-t 

A  church 

the  year  1! 

commodioi 

that  at  Sto 

worship  ol 

contracted 

some  $l,7i 

church  edif 

crated  to  G 

is  owned  w 

at  the  cost 

at  $50  J  th! 

resigned  his 

winter  or  sj 

short  interv 

present  past 

ing  as  are  ti 

auxiliaries 

whom  they  i 

The  Bibl 

29,  1817,  8 


Religious  Association*. 


396 


for  some  time  discontinued  meetings.  The  property  of  the  society 
belonged  to  the  Orthodox  branch,  although  the  Hicksites  used 
the  meeting  houses  for  their  worship.  That  at  Le  Ray  (between 
Le  Raysville  and  Evans'  Mills)  was  built  in  1816,  and  that  at 
Friends  Settlement  in  1828.  The  Le  Ray  Preparative  numbers 
25  families  and  parts  of  families,  and  that  of  Indian  River  less. 

Lutherans. — We  are  indebted  to  the  Rev.  F.  Shipherd  for  the 
following  notice  of  this  sect.  "  In  the  year  1838  the  Synod  of  the 
Frankean  Evangelic  Lutheran  Church  sent  the  Rev.  Henry  L. 
Dox  as  their  missionnry,  to  select   any  portion  of  Jefferson 
County  as  his  field  of  labor,  which  he  mighn  think  most  likely 
to  yield  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  in  return  for  his 
labors.     Acting  under  this  commission,  he  located  at  Perch 
River  and  Stone  Mills.    He  was  '  but  a  youth  and  ruddy,'  but 
God  wrought  most  astonishing  changes  through  his  ministry. 
Churches  were  soon  organized  at  Perch   River  and  at  Stone 
Mills;  but  no  record  is  found  which  furnishes  the  particulars 
respecting  their  formation.    On  the  23d  of  May,  1840,  these  two 
churches  were  blended  into  one,  by  mutual  agreement,  and  sixty 
members  were  enrolled  as  constituting  the  church  at  Stone  Mills. 
On  the  13th  of  November,  1852,  a  church  was  organized  at  Perch 
River,  consisting  of  32  members,  leaving  66  remaining  at  Stone 
Mills.    Mr.  Dox  also  preached  with  great  success  at  Shanty  ville 
(now  Orleans  Four  Corners),  and  organized  a  church,  consisting 
of  thirty-three  members.    The  present  number  is  eighty-eight. 
A  church  edifice,  of  stone,  was  erected  at  Stone  Mills,  about 
the  year  1835,  at  an  expense  of  some  $1,500.    A  very  neat  and 
commodious  house  for  worship  was  built  at  Perch  River,  like 
that  at  Stone  Mills,  on  the  union  principle,  and  dedicated  to  the 
worship  of  God.     February  19,   1852,  Mr.  Charles  B.  Avery 
contracted  to  build  it  for  $1,340,  but  is  said  to  have  expended 
some  $1,700  upon  it.    On  the  following  sabbath  a  beautiful 
church  edifice,  very  much  like  that  at  Perch  River,  was  conse- 
crated to  God's  service  at  Orleans  Four  Corners.    This  building 
is  owned  wholly  by  the  Lutheran  congregation,  and  was  erected 
at  the  cost  of  $1,250.    The  lot  on  which  it  stands,  was  valued 
at  $50;  that  at  Perch  River,  at  $86.     Mr.  Dox  seems  to  have 
resigned  his  charge  to  the  Rev.  George  W.  Hemperly,  in  the 
winter  or  spring  of  1841,  who  retained  this  charge,  with  two 
short  intervals,  for  more  than  ten  years.     Fayette  Shipherd,  the 
present  pastor,  commenced  his  labors  in  May,  1852.   Unpretend- 
ing as  are  these  Lutheran  churches,  they  are  deemed  important 
auxiliaries  in  the  reform  and  salvation  of  the  multitudes  with 
whom  they  are  surrounded." 

The  Bible  Society  of  Jefferson  County  was  formed  January 
29,  1817,  at  the  Academy  iu  Watertown.    The  first  officers 


J 1  f  is-i 


m 


Benevolent  AssociattoM. 


elected  were  Ethel  6ronson,pren(2e7if,  Rev.  Samuel  F.  Snowden, 
vice  president,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Dutton,  second  vice  president y 
Rev.  Daniel  Banks,  corresponding  secretary,  Timothy  Burr, 
recording  secretary,  Egbert  Ten  E.yc\i,  treasurer,  Micah  Ster- 
ling, auditor,  and  fifteen  directors.  An  address  was  issued  to  the 
public,  and  measures  taken  for  supplying  destitute  families.  A 
systematic  visitation  of  families  was  instituted,  and  at  the  Janu- 
ary meeting,  1824,  it  was  reported  that  up  to  that  time  681 
Bibles,  and  457Testaments  had  been  distributed.  The  sum  received 
had  been  $516-78,  and  $348*67,  had  been  paid.  Ten  towrt  as- 
sociations had  been  formed ;  viz.  in  Adams,  Champion,  Sackets 
Harbor,  Rodman,  Brownville,  Orleans,  Antwerp,  Le  Ray,  Water- 
town,  and  Ellisburgh.  Previous  to  September  20th,  1832,  the 
following  additional  auxiliaries  had  been  formed:  Chaumont, 
Cape  Vincent,  Rutland,  Houndsfield,  Perch  River,  Philadelphia, 
Evans'  Mills,  Alexandria,  Smithville,  North  Adams.  In  1834, 
an  effort  was  made  to  raise  $300,  to  purchase  Bibles  for  foreign 
distribution,  besides  supplying  the  county.  The  meetings  of  the 
society  have  been  maintained  annually,  and  by  a  provision  in  the 
constitution,  a  director  is  appointed  in  each  town  in  the  county. 
It  is  believed  that  the  town  societies  are  mostly  given  up. 

The  Jefferson  County  Union  for  promoting  the  observance  of 
the  Christian  Sabbath,  was  formed  August  5,  1828,  having  Levi 
Beebee,  president,  S.  F.  Snowden,  Calvin  McKnight,  Daniel 
"Ward well,  vice  president,  Horace  ll\int,treasurer,  John  Sessions, 
secretary.  Its  business  was  to  be  conducted  by  a  board  of  twelve 
managers,  and  its  constitution  was  signed  by  sixty-eight  promi- 
nent citizens.  Its  objects  were  to  discountenance  traveling,  or 
secular  business  upon  the  first  day  of  the  week,  and  its  annual 
meetings  were  to  be  held  in  August.  After  existing  a  short 
time  as  an  auxiliary ^of  the  General  Union,  it  ceased  to  keep  up 
an  organization. 

The  union  of  the  Watertown  Presbytery  and  Black  River 
Association,  formed  in  1829,  and  providing  for  a  joint  support 
of  a  plan  of  benevolent  operations,  was  dissolved{in  August,  1834. 
These  associations  were  abandoned  by  a  formal  vote  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, August  25,  1835.  Temperance  and  other  societies  have 
been  formed  at  different  times,  many  of  which  were  soon  aban- 
doned. The  Jefferson  County  Society,  for  the  promotion  of 
temperance  in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  held  its  first  anniversary 
at  Watertown,  August  5, 1824,  and  was  the  first  of  these. 

A  meeting  of  the  judges  of  the  county  courts,  officers  thereof, 
members  of  the  bar,  and  students  at  law,  assembled  at  the  court 
house  in  Watertown,  February  26th,  1834,  and  organized  them- 
selves into  a  temperance  society.  Hon.  John  Macomber  was 
elected  president,  B.  Wright,  1st  vice  president,  Zeno  Allen,  2d 


vice  pr 

den,  ar 

sons  pr 

The 

state  s 

purpose 

was  sti 

be  coJJe 

spirits 

which  h 

to  be  he 

Carson 

ardent  s] 

Anasi 

was  forn 

purpose, 

of  associ 

schools. 

town,  an 

treasurer. 

delivered 

effect  effi( 

and  the  v 

of  educatj 

sident  i  J 

Alfred  hi 

Daniel  He 

Barney,  ir 

mas  Knap 

in  Clayton 

Pameliaj 

Ray;  Ruf, 

presidents; 

surer;  B. 

Dr.  A.  Tro 
This  assc 

in  Novemb 
appointing 
hew,  of  Ada 
Jngly  name( 
appointed  ii 
in  place  of  1 
into  two  dis 
that  WiJna 
received  the 
southern  dist 


Benevolent  Associations. 


397 


vice  president,  P.  Burchard,  secretary y  J.  Steele,  T,  C.  Chitteu- 
den,  and  J.  Butterfield,  executive  committee.  Most  of  the  per- 
sons present  signed  a  temperance  pledge. 

Tke  Jefferson  County  Temperance  Society,  auxiliary  to  the 
state  society,  was  formed  by  a  convention  assembled  for  the 
purpose  in  January  in  1846.  The  iormation  of  town  societies 
was  strongly  recommended,  statistics  of  intemperance,  &c.,  to 
be  collected,  and  strong  elibrts  made  to  stop  the  sale  of  ardent 
spirits  by  withholding  licenses  by  vote  at  a  popular  election, 
which  had  been  a  short  time  previously  directed  by  the  legislature 
to  be  held.  Measures  have  recently  been  taken  to  establish  a 
Carson  League,  for  enforcing  the  laws  regulating  the  sale  of 
ardent  spirits. 

An  association,  called  the  Jefferson  County  Education  Society, 
was  formed  by  a  convention  assembled  at  the  courthouse  for  the 
purpose,  September?,  1835,  forming  a  part  of  a  general  system 
of  associations  for  the  promotion  of  improvements  in  common 
schools.  Its  officers  were  a  president,  a  vice  president  in  each 
town,  and  an  executive  committee  of  five,  a  secretary  and  a 
treasurer.  Quarterly  meetings  were  to  be  held,  annual  addresses 
delivered  and  efforts  made  in  the  several  towns  to  carry  into 
effect  efficient  measures  lor  the  employment  of  qualified  teachers, 
and  the  various  improvements,  calculated  to  elevate  the  standard 
of  education.  The  officers  first  elected  were  Wm.  Ruger,  pre- 
sident;  J.  Mullin,  in  Watertown;  Joseph  Graves,  in  Rutland; 
Alfred  Lathrop,  in  Champion;  Herman  Strong,  in  Rodman; 
Daniel  Howard,  in  Adams;  John  Boyden,  in  Lorraine;  Hiram 
Barney,  in  EUisburgh;  Forrester  Dexter,  in  Houndsfield;  Tho- 
mas Knapp,  in  Brownville;  Dr.  Wood,  in  Lyme;  E.  G.  Merrick, 
in  Clayton;  William  Martin,  in  Alexandria;  A.  M.  Harger,  in 
Pamelia;  E.Tucker,  in  Philadelphia;  Elisha  Steele,  Jr.^  in  Le 
Ray;  Rufus  H.  King,  in  Antwerp;  Ell"  West,  in  Wilna,  vice 
•presidents;  Peleg  Burchard,  secretary;  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  trea- 
surer; B.  A.  Hickox,  Dr.  Reuben  Goodale,  Justin  Butterfield, 
Dr.  A.  Trowbridge,  and  Charles  Mason,  executive  committee. 

This  association  was  of  short  continuance.  The  supervisors, 
in  November,  1841,  by  a  vote  of  eighteen  to  nine,  agreed  upon 
appointing  two  county  superintendents  of  schools,  and  Ira  May- 
hew,  of  Adams,  and  Henry  D.  Sewall,  of  Pamelia,  were  accord- 
ingly named  for  that  office.  In  1842,  Lysander  H.  Brown  was 
appointed  in  place  of  Sewall,  and,  in  1843,  Porter  Montgomery 
in  place  of  Mayhew.  In  the  same  year  the  county  was  divided 
into  two  districts,  the  dividing  line  being  Black  River,  excepting 
that  W^ilna  was  attached  to  the  southern  portion,  Mr.  Brown 
received  the  charge  of  the  northern  and  Mr.  Montgomery  of  the 
southern  district.  In  1844  this  division  was  abolished^  and  Mr. 
26 


II 


898 


Aid  to  the  Greeks  and  Irish  Relief. 


I!    I 


Montgomery  received  the  charge  of  all  the  schools  in  the  county. 
In  1845,  Erwin  S.  Barnes  was  appointed,  and  held  his  office  un- 
til it  was  abolished  by  an  act  of  the  legislature. 

At  the  adoption  of  the  free  school  law,  a  special  meeting  of 
the  supervisors  was  held,  December  26,  1849,  and  the  treasurer 
was  authorized  by  a  resolution  to  borrow  of  the  state,  on  the 
credit  of  the  county,  the  sum  of  $7,1 12*59,  to  be  applied  to  the  use 
of  common  schools.  This  loan  was  sanctioned  by  a  special  act, 
passed  April  10,  1850,  and  directed  to  be  made  from  the  capital 
of  the  school  fund,  to  be  repaid  the  next  year  by  a  tax  upon  the 
county.  At  the  first  election  on  the  free  school  law,  about  sixty- 
five  per  cent  of  all  the  votes  were  for  the  law;  and  in  the  follow- 
ing election,  sixty  per  cent  voted  for  its  repeal.  In  1849,  active 
efforts  were  made  to  sustain  the  law  by  its  friends,  and  a  con- 
vention met  at  Watertown  in  October,  at  which  resolutions  were 
passed  warmly  commending  the  spirit  of  the  act,  and  an  address 
was  published  urging  the  electors  to  support  it.  The  several 
candidates  for  .assembly  were  interrogated  upon  their  views  on 
this  subject. 

The  struggle  of  the  Greeks  for  independence  excited  the 
sympathies  of  our  citizens  in  common  with  other  sections  of  the 
state,  and  on  the  19th  of  December,  1826,  a  meeting  was  held 
at  D.  Hungerford's  hotel,  in  Watertown,  to  express  their  interest 
in  the  measure.  The  supervisor,  town  clerk,  and  assessors  of 
each  town,  were  solicited  to  act  as  a  committee  for  collecting 
subscriptions  in  their  several  towns,  and  remitting  the  same  to  the 
county  committee;  Elisha  Camp,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Benjamin 
Wright,  V.  Le  Ray,  and  0.  Hungerford,  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  cause  the  funds  received  to  be  applied  for  the  objects 
intended.  Circulars  were  addressed  to  other  county  clerks,  re- 
questing a  similar  action. 

Contributions  for  the  Greeks  were  collected  in  March,  1828, 
at  Watertown,  as  follows:  Presbyterian  church,  $6 1'57;  IJniver- 
salist  church,  $32-00;  Baptist  church,  $17'61;  Sunday  school, 
$24;  Watertown  Chapter,  No.  59  (Masonic),  $50.  Other  col- 
lections were  made  soon  after  and  forwarded,  and  several  meet- 
ings were  held. 

A  meeting  of  citizens  of  Watertown  was  held  February  23, 
1847,  to  take  measures  for  the  relief  of  the  Irish,  who  were 
starving  from  the  failure  of  the  potato  crop,  upon  which  they 
mainly  relied  for  food.  The  meeting  organized,  and  appointed 
a  committee,  who  prepared  and  published  a  stirring  appeal  to 
the  citizens  of  the  county,  and  urged  the  contribution  of  money, 
provisions,  and  clothing.  A  subscription  of  $375  was  at  once 
collected,  and  measures  were  taken  to  have  collections  taken  up 
jn  the  churches,  in  aid  of  this  charitable  fund.     The  store  of  L. 


kee,  Isa 


m^' 


Jefferson  County  Medical  Society, 


399 


Paddock,  Esq.,  the  treasurer,  was  designated  as  the  place  of  de- 
posit for  the  money  or  articles  collected.  About  $3,000  worth 
was  sent  from  the  county  for  this  object. 

The  Jefferson  County  Medical  Society  was  formed  December 
17, 1806;  by  a  meeting  of  the  physicians  of  the  county,  held  in 
pursuance  of  an  act  incorporating  medical  societies.  John  Dur- 
kee,  Isaac  Magoon,  David  B.  Ripley,  Isaiah  Massey,  Jabez 
Kingsbury,  Benjamin  Farlie,  James  D.  Seisco,  Ozias  H.  Rawson, 
Daniel  Barney,  Eli  Eastman,  H.  Wilcox,  Elias  Skinner,  and 
Hugh  Henderson,  were  present,  and  united  in  the  organization. 
The  first  officers  were,  John  Durkee,  president;  Daniel  Barney, 
vice  president;  Hugh  Henderson,  secretary;  Isaiah  Massey, 
treasurer;  Benjamin  Farlie,  Eli  Eastman,  and  Hugh  Henderson, 
censors;  H.  Henderson,  delegate  to  the  state  society. 

August  11, 1807,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  enquire  whether 
any  unauthorized  persons  were  practicing  medicine,  and  to 
prosecute  them  if  so.  July  4,  1809,  a  committee  of  six  was  ap- 
pointed to  report  the  number  of  quacks  and  unlicensed  physicians. 
On  the  13th  of  March,  1810,  they  reported  nineteen  names. 
A  code  of  medical  ethics  was  published  by  the  society  in  1829. 
At  the  July  session,  in  1830,  a  central  committee  of  five,  and 
one  from  each  town,  was  appointed  to  take  a  medical  topograph- 
ical survey  of  the  county;  but  this  measure  was  not  carried  into 
eflfect.  During  many  years  it  was  the  custom  of  the  society  to 
oflTer  prizes  for  essays  on  given  subjects.  The  list  of  members 
has  been  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  following  names  of  those  ad- 
mitted by  resolution  is  not  perfect,  but  the  best  that  can  now  be 
obtained.  The  year  when  each  was  elected  is  subjoined  to  his 
name;  they  are  arranged  alphabetically. 

Ephraitn  Adams,  1823;  E.  M.  Adams,  1828;  Jesse  Ayres,  1829;  Jo- 
seph Bagg,  1821;  La  Mont  Bagg,  1829;  William  Baker,  1807;  Jameii 
K.  Bates,  1829;  William  J.  Bates,  1824;  C.  Barge,  1829;  Daniel  Barney, 
1826;  Joshua  Beals,  Jr.,  1807;  Abner  Benton,  1828;  Daniel  Brainard, 

1807; Brewster,  1820;  James  Brooks,  1822;  William  H.  Buchan- 

nan,  1817;  Joshua  J.  Barrett,  1810;  John  M.  Burton,  1818;  H.  W. 
Bushnell,  1828;  Nathan  Chever,  1810;  Joseph  N.  Clark,  1819;  Joseph 
Clary,  1811;  W.  G.  Comstock,  1843;  Caleb  Corp,  1828;  John  Cowen, 
1811;  Ithainer  B.  Crawe,  1822;  Benjamin  Cuehman,  1818;  O.  W.Cush- 
man,  1828;  John  D.  Davison,  1828;  William  H.  H.  Davis,  1841;  Walter 
Dewey,  1838;  Foster  Dexter,  1838;  David  Dickerson,  1828;  H.  S.  Dick- 
enson, 1835;  Joel  Dresser,  1807;  John  Durkee,  1806;  E.  Dutton,  1815; 
Pelatiah  Dwight,  1828;  Chester  Eastman,  1835;  Eli  Eastman,  1806; 
Amos  Ellis,  1839;  Jonathan  Ellis,  1831;  Alfred  Ely,  1817;  Benjamin 
Farlie,  1806;  Elkanah  French,  1828;  William  J.  Fish,  1826;  Samuel 
Gaines,  1831;  Charles  Goodale,  1841;  Reuben  Goodale,  1813;  Simon 
Goodel,  1848;  A.  W.  Gray,  1828;  Alpheus  S.  Green,  1817;  Joseph 
Green,  1807;  Kilborn  Hannahs,  1837;  Curtis  Haven.  1822;  Hugh  Hen- 
derson, 1806;  John  M.  Henderson,  1810;  H.  H.  Hills,  1828;  S.  Hough- 
ton. 1816;  Amasa  How,  1811;  S.  W.  Hunt,  1831;  Paul  Hutchinson, 
1809;  Isaac  Jenks,  1828; Jones,  1898;  Converse  Johnson 


lano. 


'^ 


400 


Medical  History. 


John  P.  Johnson,  1828;  C.  P.  Kimball,  1814;  D.  S.  Kimball,  1828; 
Jabez  Kingsbury,  1806;  Isaac  Magoon,  1800;  Frederick  P.  Markham, 
1814;  J.  iVfarsh,  181(>;  Klisha  Matthews,  1808;  Isuiah  Massey,  1806;  E. 
R.  Maxson,  1846;  Philip  Maxwell,  1828;  Hiram  Mills,  1H26;  Alpheiis 
Morse,  1818;  Hennr  J.  Munson,  1829;  Alvah  Miirdock,  1829; Nel- 
son, 1819;  Isaac  ofney,  1812;  Charlns  Orvis,  1826;  Horatiu  Orvis,  1807; 
Amos  Page,  1819;  Almond  Pitcher,  1828;  Caleb  Preston,  1828;  SSam- 
uel  Randall,  1817  ;OziaBH.  Kawsom,  1806;  David  Ripley,  1806;  William 
Robinson,  1812;  Ralph  Rogers,  1820;  William  Y.  V.  Rosa,  1843;  G.S. 
Sacket,  1828;  James  D.  Seisco,  1806;  Stephen  Seymour,  1830;  Abel  Sher- 
man, 1807 ;  Henry  H.Sherwood,  1808 ;  Jonathan  Sherwood,  1818 ;  William 
J.  Sikes,  1828; Ira  A.  Smith,  1820;  S.  W.  Sole,  1841 ;  John  Safford,  1811 ; 
Gordon  P.  Spencer,  1828;  Russell  Steel,  1810;  Aaron  Sumner,  1831; 
Benjamin  Tractor,  1842;  A masa Trowbridge,  1809;  William  R.Trow- 
bridge, 1846;  Samuel  Tucker^  1828;  Noah  Tubbs,  1811;  William  E. 
Tyler,  1843;  Rufus  S.  Waite,1820;  Walter  Webb,  1823;  James  A. 
Wells,  .1621 ;  Eli  West;  Isaac  Weston,  1807;  Samuel  Whetmore,  1828; 
H.  Wilcox,  1806;  William  H.  Wiser,  1833;  Isaac  S.  Wood,  1810; 
Caleb  Woodward,  1826;  Ira  Wright,  1828;  A.  M.  Van  Ostrand,  1843. 

The  diseases  which  have  occurred  in  our  county  can  scarcely 
be  said  to  offer  any  peculiarity  worthy  of  remark.  Few  sections 
are  more  generally  healthy,  or  less  exposed  to  local  causes  of 
disease.  The  sickness  of  1798,  and  of  1828,  have  been  noticed 
on  pages  80, 147, 158,  and  202.  The  lake  and  river  shore,  and 
the  borders  of  Perch  and  Indian  rivers,  have  been  in  some  dry 
seasons  subject  to  intermittent  fevers;  but  less  now  than  formerly. 

The  vicinity  of  Natural  Bridge,  in  Wilna,  is  thought  to  pre- 
sent endemical  causes  ofbronchocele,  a  malady  somewhat  common 
there. 

The  spring  of  1813  was  remarkable  for  the  prevalence  of  an 
eiiidemiCfpneumoniatyphoides  vihich  having  prevailed  in  the  east- 
ern portions  of  the  union,  during  the  previous  winter,  first  ap- 
peared in  the  county  about  the  8th  of  March,  and  raged  with 
great  severity  till  the  1st  of  May.  Some  idea  of  its  prevalence 
may  be  judged  from  the  experience  of  a  single  physician*  who 
in  the  ordinary  limits  of  his  practice,  met  in  that  period  with 
330  cases,  of  which  13  were  fatal.  Its  appearance  was  a  little 
earlier  in  Lewis  county,  and  later  at  Watertown  than  at  Rutland. 
The  attack  was  generally  sudden,  and  the  fate  of  the  patient  was 
often  decided  within  a  few  hours;  in  about  one  third  of  the  cases, 
the  disease  attacked  the  head,  and  in  the  remainder  the  lungs.  It 
was  epidemic,  but  not  contagious,  and  in  its  course  it  spread 
over  a  wide  extent  of  country.  No  exemptions  of  age,  sex,  or 
condition,  were  noticed.  Other  epidemics  of  less  fatality  have  been 
observed,  but  statistics  are  wanting  concerning  them.  In  1822-3, 
a  very  fatal  but  limited  sickness  from  a  local  cause  occurred  in 
Rutland,  and  in  the  winter  of  1844-5  a  similar  but  moie  fatal 

*  Dr.  C.  P.  Kemball,  of  Rutland,  from  whom  many  interesting  facts  have 
been  received. 


Jefferson  County  Agricultural  Society. 


401 


and  prevalent  sickness  occurred  in  Antwerp,  of  which  many 
died.  Tiic  cholera  has  on  the  several  occasions  of  its  return 
spread  an  alarm  through  the  county,  but  fortunately  never  vis- 
ited our  border  except  perhaps  in  a  few  scattered  cases. 

The  Agricultural  Society  of  Jefferson  County. — As  the  till- 
age of  the  soil  has  been  and  must  necessarily  continue  to  be, 
the  principal  source  of  wealth  in  the  county,  every  measure  tend- 
ing to  the  promotion  of  this  object,  is  especially  deserving  of 
notice.  Such  was  the  feeling  that  in  1817  prompted  to  the  form- 
ation of  an  agricultural  society,  which  has  ever  since  continued 
in  active  and  efficient  operation,  surviving  every  other  county 
society  in  the  state  that  originated  at  an  early  period,  and  at 
present  exerting  a  beneficial  influence  comparable  with  the  most 
flourishing. 

The  first  act  for  the  encouragement  of  agriculture  or  manufac- 
tures that  operated  in  the  county,  was  passed  April  8,  1808, 
giving  eighty  dollars  premium  to  the  one  who  should  produce 
the  best  specimen  of  woolen  cloth  of  uniform  texture  and  quality 
not  less  than  thirty  yards  long.  The  award  was  to  be  made  by 
the  judges  of  the  court  of  common  pleas,  and  paid  by  the  comp- 
troller. Mr.  Le  Ray,  having  imported  some  line  wool  sheep,  thus 
afforded  the  material,  and  specimens  were  produced  by  Hart 
Massey  and  Noadiah  Hubbard,  which  were  so  nearly  alike  in 
quality  that  the  premium  was  divided  between  them.  Some  ir- 
regularity in  application  made  a  special  act  necessary,  which 
was  passed  March  19,  1810. 

The  Jefferson  County  Agricultural  Society  was  formed  at  the 
house  of  Isaac  Lee,  in  Watertown,  October  25,  1817,  at  which 
J.  D.  LeRay  was  chosen  president;  Jacob  Brown,  Jirst  vice 
pnsident;  Ethel  Bronson,  second  vice  president;  Egbert  Ten 
Eyck,  secretary;  Oren  Stone,  treasurer,  and  one  in  each  town 
as  a  local  committee,  viz:  William  M.  Lord,  Houndsjield;  Hart 
Massey,  Watertoion;  George  White,  Rutland;  Noadiah  Hub- 
bard, Champion;  Ahiza  Smith,  Henderson;  Eliphalet  Edmonds, 
Mams;  Nathan  Strong,  Rodman;  Ebenezer  Wood,  Ellishurgh; 
Clark  Allen,  Lorraine;  John  B.  Esselstyn,  Lyme;  Walter  B. 
Cole,  Brownville;  Roswell  Woodruff,  Le  Ray;  Silvius  Hoard, 
Antwerp;  Thomas  Brayton,  Wilna. 

This  was  the  second  county  society  in  the  state,  that  of  Otsego 
county  being  the  first.  The  first  in  the  Union  is  said  to  have  been 
that  cf  Berkshire  county,  Massachusetts,  after  which  the  most  of 
those  that  followed  have  been  modeled.  Mr.  Elkanah  Watson, 
who  may  be  said  to  have  been  its  founder,  gives  the  following 
account  of  its  origin:* 

In  the  fall  of  1807,  having  procured  the  first  pair  of  merino 

*  History  of  Agricultural  Societies  on  the  modern  Berkshire  system  p.  110 


lit 


y/ 


402 


Jeff&TBon  County  Agricultural  Society. 


sheep  that  had  appeared  in  that  county,  if  not  in  the  state,  which, 
although  defective  in  grade,  were  far  superior  to  any  that  had 
been  before  seen,  he  was  induced  to  notify  an  exhibition  under 
the  great  elm  tree,  in  the  public  square,  in  Pittsfield,  of  these  two 
sheep,  on  a  certain  day.  Many  farmers,  and  even  women,were  exci- 
ted by  curiosity  to  attend  this  first,  novel,  and  humble  exhibition, 
and  its  projector  giving  to  his  reasoning  the  rule-of*three  form, 
thus  argued  to  himself.  If  two  animals  :  are  capable  of  exciting 
so  much  attention  : :  what  would  be  the  effect  on  a  larger  scale, 
with  larger  animals*  This  little  incident  subsequently  led  to 
other  and  more  extensive  operations  in  the  line  of  exhibitions, 
until  the  sphere  of  their  influence  has  come  to  embrace  the  en- 
tire range  of  domestic  industry;  exciting  emulation  in  the  lowJy 
cottage  and  among  the  humble  classes,  as  well  as  with  the  more 
opulent,  and  diffusing  the  republican  principle  of  equality,  by 
elevating  and  dignifying  the  pursuits  of  the  laboring  classes. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  first  articles  of  association,  of 
our  county  society : 

"  1.  The  objects  of  this  society  are,  the  promotion  and  improve- 
ment of  agricultural  and  rural  economy. 

2.  Every  member  of  this  society  shall  subscribe  these  articles, 
or  a  copy  thereof,  and  pay,  at  the  time  of  subscribing,  one  dollar 
to  the  treasury  for  the  use  of  the  society;  he  shall  also  pay  in 
like  manner,  on  or  before  the  second  Tuesday  of  October,  one 
dollar,  annually,  so  long  as  he  continues  a  member,  and  when- 
ever a  member  chooses  to  withdraw,  he  shall  have  liberty  so  to 
do  on  giving  notice  in  writing  to  the  secretary,  and  paying  all 
arrears  and  dues,  including  the  current  year. 

3.  The  officers  of  the  society  shall  consist  of  a  president,  two 
vice  presidents,  a  secretary,  and  a  treasurer,  to  be  chosen  by  bal- 
lot, and  such  other  officers  as  the  by-laws  shall  direct. 

4.  The  next  meeting  of  the  society  shall  be  on  the  last  Mon- 
day of  December  next,  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Lee;  at  which  meet- 
ing, and  at  any  future  stated  meeting  of  the  society,  the  members 
present  shall  have  power  to  make  such  laws  and  regulations  as 
they  shall  deem  expedient,  for  carrying  into  effect  the  objects  of 
this  society. 

5.  No  salary  or  pecuniary  reward  shall  be  allowed  to  any  of- 
ficer, or  committee  of  this  society,  for  discharging  their  official 
duties." 

The  by-laws  provided  for  two  stated  meetings  annually,  on  the 
first  Mondays  of  March  and  October;  at  the  first  of  which,  the 
officers  were  to  be  elected,  and  at  the  latter  a  fair  was  to  be 
held.  The  general  affairs  of  the  society  were  vested  in  a 
committee,  consisting  of  the  president,  secretary,  and  five  mem- 
bers; and  a  committee  of  three  members  was  to  be  appointed  in 


'■•  37V- ■  »-#•>! 


Jefferson  County  Agricultural  Society. 


4ou 


each  town,  to  distribute  seeds,  plants,  scions,  books,  &c.,  and  to 
receive  and  transmit  meritorious  communications  to  the  central 
body.  Honorary  members  were  to  be  admitted  on  a  two-third 
vote.  A  viewing  committee  of  five,  to  judge  on  the  improve- 
ments and  cultivation  of  lands;  a  committee  of  produce,  nine 
in  number,  to  judge  on  the  quantity  and  quality  of  produce, 
and  an  inspecting  committee,  of  nine,  for  domesti'.  animals, 
were  to  be  annually  appointed   by  the   executive  committee. 

The  first  address  before  the  society  was  delivered  by  Le  Ray 
de  Chaumont.  After  alluding  to  the  interest  he  had  felt  on  this 
subject,  and  the  part  he  had  taken  in  the  first  settlement  of  Ot- 
sego county,  in  1785,  he  adds: 

"  It  has  now  the  honor  to  take  the  lead  in  establishing  in  this 
great  state  the  first  agricultural  society.  I  mention  this  example 
more  particularly  as  being  by  a  greater  analogy  with  us,  more 
easy  to  follow,  and  to  excite  a  noble  and  profitable  emula- 
tion. *  •  •  The  object  of  our  society,  and  its  more  direct 
business  is,  to  encourage  every  branch  of  agriculture,  and  rural 
economy,  best  adapted  to  our  soil  and  climate,  by  a  well  digested 
combination  of  science  and  practice;  to  promote  inquiries  and 
receive  information  the  most  useful  to  agriculture;  to  suggest 
experiments  and  improvements  which  may  tend  to  the  ameliora- 
tion and  prosperity  of  agriculture,  and,  of  course,  our  manufac- 
tures, of  which  they  are  the  aliment  and  support.  By  premiums, 
We  excite  a  spirit  of  generous  pride  and  emulation,  a  desire  to 
gain  a  knowledge  of  the  most  profitable  and  practical  husbandry; 
to  get  the  best  breeds  of  domestic  animals;  to  more  neatly  culti- 
vate our  farms;  to  raise  the  cleanest  and  best  crops;  in  a  word, 
to  make  agriculture  more  systematic,  lucrative,  and  respectable." 

From  this  quotation  it  was  evident,  that  at  that  period,  the 
advantages  to  be  derived  from  association  were  fully  appreciated, 
and  the  experience  of  nearly  forty  years  has  done  little  more  than 
to  confirm  the  views  of  these  pioneer  founders  of  the  society. 
The  venerable  John  Adams,  ex*president  of  the  United  States, 
received,  with  others,  a  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  first  meet- 
ing, and  he  thus  wrote: 

QuiNCT,  February  12, 1818. 

Sir, — "I  hove  received  and  read  with  pleasure  an  address  to  the 
Agricultural  Society  of  Jefferson  County,  in  the  state  of  New  York,  and 
as  I  know  not  from  whom  it  came,  who  should  I  thank  for  it  but  its 
author?  I  rejoice  in  every  new  society  which  has  agriculture  for  its 
object,  and  see  with  delight  thut  the  spirit  is  spreading  through  the  United 
States.  If  1  could  worship  any  of  the  heathen  gods,  it  would  be  old 
Saturn,  because  I  believe  him  to  be  only  an  allegorical  personification  of 
Agriculture,  and  the  children  he  devoured,  to  be  only  his  own  grapes 
and  figs,  apples  and  penrs,  wheat  and  barley.  I  agree  with  you  in  the 
main  in  every  sentiment,  particularly  relative  to  grapes  and  corn;  yet  we 
can  not  have  perfect  roast  beef,  uor  perfect  roast  spare-rib,  nor  perfect 


X) 


404 


Jiiferson  County  Agricultural  Society. 


poultry,  without  ninizo.  We  muBt  therefore  Bncriflce  n  little  luxury  to  a 
grent  deul  of  puhhc  {(ood.  From  the  style  of  tliiH  ntldresB  I  should  not 
have  Huspectod  i'  to  have  been  written  by  uny  other  thun  u  native  of  thia 
country.  Thirty-nine  yearu  ago,  I  little  thought  1  Bhonid  live  to  see  the 
heir-appnrent  to  the  princely  palaceH  and  garden  of  Puasy,  my  fellow 
citizen  in  the  republican  wilderneas  of  America,  laying  the  foundation 
for  more  ample  domainn  and  perhaps  more  splendid  palaces.  I  observed 
the  motto  ot  the  Hotel  de  Valentinnis,  which  I  hud  then  the  honor  to 
inhabit,  "aesta bene,  non  se  move" —  If  you  stand  well,  standstill.  But 
you  have  proved  the  maxim  not  to  b  j  infallible;  and  I  rejoice  in  it. 
Your  sincere  well  wisher  and  humble  servant, 
Le  Ray  de  Chaumont.  John  Adams.** 

At  the  first  meeting,  upon  motion  of  Ethel  Bronson,  a  com- 
mittee of  nine  persons,  styled  a  Committee  of  Manufactures,  >vas 
added  to  those  previously  existing. 

The  First  Cattle  IShow  and  Fair  of  the  society  war,  held  on 
the  28th  and  29th  of  September,  1818.  The  first  day  was  devot- 
ed to  the  exhibition  of  stock,  and  domestic  manufacture,  and  in 
receiving  communications  on  various  subjects  presented  by  the 
occasion.  Governor  Clinton,  General  Stephen  Van  Rensselaer, 
Colonel  Jenkins,  G.  Parish,  and  other  distinguished  strangers, 
were  present  on  the  stand  with  the  officers  of  the  society.  The 
pens  for  cattle  were  arranged  in  a  circle,  the  platform  in  the 
centre,  and  the  domestic  manufactures  were  displayed  in  the 
Court  House.  In  the  course  of  the  afternoon,  Mr.  Koswell  Wood- 
ruff exhibited  a  cart  drawn  by  sevente»  a  yoke  of  oxen  and 
steers,  the  product  of  his  own  farm ;  Judge  Huboard  and  Colonel 
Harris,  of  Champion,  exhibited  a  cart  drawn  by  fifteen  yoke  of 
veryfinefat  cattle,andthe  otficersofthe  society  dined  at  the  house 
of  Butler  Ranney,  where  extensive  preparations  had  been  made 
for  the  occasion.  On  the  29th,  a  plowing  match  came  off  with 
horse  and  ox  teams,  after  which  a  procession  was  formed,  which 
preceded  by  a  band  of  music  attached  to  the  2d  Regt.  U.  S. 
Infantry,  marched  to  the  Court  House,  while  a  salute  was  fired 
at  the  Arsenal,  under  .the  direction  of  Major  Masters.  An  ad- 
dress was  delivered  by  J.  D.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont,  the  president 
of  the  society,  which  was  followed  by  one  by  De  Witt  Clinton, 
then  governor  of  the  state.  Believing  that  the  latter  will  be 
read  with  peculiar  interest,  we  here  insert  it. 

''Independent  of  the  very  flattering  references  which  have  been  made 
in  the  very  able  address  just  delivered,  and  which  demand  my  sincere 
acknowledgments,  it  would  be  diflicult  for  me  to  refrain  from  express- 
ing the  high  gratification  which  I  have  derived  from  the  first  exhibition 
of  this  respectable  association. 

When  we  recollect  that  scarcely  twenty  years  have  passed  away,  since 
the  first  inhabitant  erected  his  hut  in  this  county,  and  when  we  see  that 
it  now  contains  flourishing  villages,  and  a  considerable  [)opidation,  cha- 
racterized as  the  proceedings  of  this  day  evince,  by  intelligent  views  and 
well-directed  exertions;  that  its  soil  is  uncommonly  fertile,  and  its  cli- 


BeaB,  an 
ments  oi 
will  be 
ment  of 
entirely 
Youh 
perity. 
of  popu 
Agriculti 
cimpreh 
land,  lab( 
the  eart 
and  inch 


appreciat 
the  guarc 
activity, 
Bublime 


Jefferson  County  Agricultural  Society. 


405 


mate  eminently  BaUibriouii,  and  when  we  connidor  that  with  the  natural 
advuntagea  which  ilow  from  ita  extenaivo  connection  with  our  inturior 
■eaa,  and  the  artificial  t'uciiities  which  it  will  derive  from  the  improve-' 
menla  of  our  internal  navigation,  the  marketa  of  the  north  and  aouth 
will  be  open  to  its  productiona;  we  must  be  persuaded  that  the  attain- 
ment of  fullness  of  population,  and  exuberance  of  wealth,  dependa 
entirely  upon  yourselves. 

You  have,  gentlemen,  wisely  chosen  the  true  road  which  leads  to  pros- 
perity. Agriculture  is  the  source  of  subHistence ;  subsistence  is  the  basis 
of  popidntion ;  and  population  is  the  foundation  of  prosperity  and  power. 
Agriculture  is  also  the  parent  of  individuol  and  national  opulence.  It 
cimprehends  in  its  operations  all  the  sources  of  wealth.  It  employs 
land,  labor,  and  capital.  It  comprises  the  cultivation  of  all  the  fruits  of 
the  earth ;  embraces  almost  every  method  of  obtaining  food  for  labor, 
and  includes  the  raising  of  domeHtic  (.niniuls,  because  that  employment 
is  necessarily  identified  with  the  cultivation  of  vegetable  foo(f.  And  as 
the  prosperity  of  a  country  essentially  depends  upon  the  quantity  of  sur- 
plus produce  derived  from  the  noil,  and  as  the  amount  ot  the  materials 
of  subsistence  will  always  be  regulated  by  the  exertions  of  agriculturists, 
it  is  evident  that  its  benefits  in  these  respects  can  not  be  too  highly 
appreciated.  But  when  we  further  reflect,  that  it  is  favorable  to  exercise, 
the  guardian  of  health — to  contemplation,  the  parent  of  wisdom  —  to 
activity,  the  friend  of  virtue;  and  (to  adopt  the  emphatic  language  of  a 
sublime  poet)  to  that 

*  SwMt  peace  which  goodneu  boMma  over,' 

we  must  all  admit,  that  as  it  was  the  first,  it  is  also  the  best. 

Among  the  various  measures  adopted  for  the  promotion  of  this  pursuit, 
and  its  invariable  companion,  domestic  maiiufiictures,  the  most  effectual  is 
the  establishment  of  societies  for  the  collection  and  diffusion  of  informa- 
tion, and  for  the  excitement  of  industry  and  emulation.  This  plan  has  been 
adopted  in  this  county,  and  a  wise  legislature  will  cherish  such  institutions 
with  extraordinary  patronage.  It  is  pleasing  to  see  at  the  head  of  this 
establishment  disunguished  men,  applying  with  so  much  public  spirit,  the 
giAs  of  nature,  the  endowments  of  education,  and  the  bounties  of  fortune, 
to  the  improvement  of  this  favored  region.  It  is  gratifying  to  perceive 
men  who  have  encircled  themselves  with  high  renown,  and  elevated  the 
character  of  their  country,  planting  the  olive  by  the  laurel,  and  cultivat- 
ing the  arts  of  peace  with  the  same  ability  with  which  they  directed  the 
storm  of  war.  And  it  is  a  subject  of  high  felicitation  to  witness  this 
confederacy  of  scientific  and  practical  men ;  to  behold  the  experienced 
agriculturist,  and  the  enlightened  professional  man,  combining  their 
powers  in  favor  of  agriculture  and  domestit-  manufactures,  and  devising 
ways  and  means  to  promote  the  public  prosperity. 

There  was  a  period  of  danger,  when  the  e}'es  of  the  people  of  this 
state  were  directed  with  peculiar  anxiety  to  this  region :  when  you  passed 
with  honor  through  the  diflUculties  with  which  you  were  environed,  and 
vindicated  the  character  of  America  at  the  point  of  the  sword.  On  this 
day  the  public  eye  is  fixed  on  you  with  equal  attention,  to  view  the  pros- 
perity of  your  agriculture  and  the  wide  spreading  and  fur  extending 
progress  of  your  useful  improvements;  and  lam  happy  to  suy  that  there 
will  be  no  disappointment.  The  distinguished  gentlemen  who  have  united 
with  me  in  this  visit  also  unite  with  me  in  this  expression  of  approba- 
tion. We  offer  you  our  best  acknowledgments  for  your  friendly  invita- 
tion and  cordial  reception,  and  we  huinbly  implore  the  blessings  of  the 
Almighty  on  you  individually  and  collectively,  and  on  the  inhabitants  in 
general  of  this  flourishing  county." 


I 


I 


w 


N 


Ml 


406 


Jefferton  County  Agricultural  Society. 


The  first  viewin^^  committee  in  1818,  consisted  of  Samuel 
Brown,  Jiiines  Parker,  Simeon  Hunt,  Curtis  G.  Brooks,  and  Sam- 
uel Evans,  who  visited  nine  towns,  examined  seventy-live  subjects, 
and  awarded  twenty-two  premiums  in  cups,  (goblets,  and  spoons, 
worth  $128.  Three  |)rt'iniums  in  plate,  worth  $25,  were  award- 
ed on  the  plowing  match:  eighteen  premiums  on  stock  >vorth 
$156,  and  fourteen  on  domestic  manufactures,  worth  $93,  were 
awarded.  At  the  close  of  the  exercises,  the  society  adjourned  to 
attend  the  sale  of  the  premium  ox,  which  had  been  presented  to 
the  society  by  its  worthy  president.  It  was  sold  in  small  parcels, 
and  amounted  to  $619. 

On  the  7th  of  April  1819,  the  sura  of  $10,000  for  two  jrears, 
was  applied  by  law  to  the  encouragem(>nt  of  county  societies  for 
the  promotion  of  agriculture,  and  domestic  manufactures,  of  which 
sum  this  county  received  $200.  Under  this  act,  the  presidents 
of  county  societies  assembled  at  Albany,  formed  a  board  of  Agri- 
culture. Of  this  board,  Mr.  Le  Ray,  was  elected  vice  president. 
No  provision  being  made  for  a  continuance  beyond  two  years; 
many  county  societies  disbanded,  but  this  continued  in  operation, 
and  held  regular  meetings,  and  fairs. 

On  the  28th  of  March,  1828,  an  act  was  passed  incorporating 
Le  Ray  de  Chaumont,  Perley  Keyes,  Elisha  Camp,  Peter  N. 
Cushman,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Rodney  Burt,  Daniel  Eames,Micah 
Sterling,  Noadiah  Hubbard,  Orville  Hungerford,  George  White, 
Hiram  Merrill,  John  Brown,  Curtis  Golden,  Samuel  C.  Kennedy, 
Ezekiel  Jewett,  Albert  Brayton,  Samuel  Brown,  John  B.  Essel- 
styn,  Abijah  Farwell,  Edmund  Kirby,  V.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont, 
Alfred  Freeman,  Simeon  Hunt,  Stoel  Warner,  Asa  Carter,  Jona- 
than Graves,  William  Doxtater,  Clark  Allen,  Liberty  Bates,  and 
such  as  might  join  them,  as  the  Jefferson  County  Jigricultural 
Society.  J.  Le  Ray,  was  named  first  presidents^  P.  Keyes,  E. 
Camp,  and  P.  N.  Cushman,  vice  president,  O.  Hungerford  trea- 
surer,  E.  Ten  Eyck,  secretary.  Elections  were  to  be  held  on  the 
last  Tuesday  of  Septembi.  %  and  the  income  was  limited  to  $5,000. 
Under  this  act  the  society  continued  to  hold  annual  fairs,  with 
one  or  two  exceptions,  until  reorganized  under  the  general  act  of 
1841. 

In  March,  1830,  members  of  the  society,  then  the  only  one  of 
the  class  existing  in  the  state,  petitioned  the  legislature  for  the 
power  of  offering  premiums  for  horses  of  the  best  speed,  and  that 
the  racing  of  horses  for  such  premiums  might  be  allowed  under 
proper  regulations,  and  restrictions.  The  petitioners  set  forth; 
that  the  rearing  of  horses  is  much  attended  to  in  the  country; 
"  That  the  value  of  horses  in  market,  depends  much  upon  their 
speed  and  activity;  but,  that  owing  to  the  restrictions  now  ex- 
isting by  law,  it  is  impossible  properly  to  test  the  speed  of  horses 


Jeffenon  County  AgricuUural  Society. 


407 


at  home,  aii)l  consequently  they  can  not  command  that  price  in 
market  which  they  uould  commami  could  their  value  be  known. 

The  soil  )f  the  county  is  well  adapted  to  the  growing  of  grains 
both  fine  und  coarse;  but,  inconsequence  of  the  distance  from 
the  markets  of  the  state,  those  productions  will  not  bear  trans* 
portation,  so  that  the  farmers  are  compelled  to  resort  to  the  rais- 
ing of  live  stock,  as  almost  the  only  resource  for  money  in  the 
county."*  This  petition  met  with  a  favorable  report  from  the 
committee  to  whom  it  was  referred,  but  failed  to  procure  a  law 
authorizing  a  race  course. 

A  convention  for  the  formation  of  a  State  Agricultural  Society, 
met  at  Albany,  P^ebruary  14,  1832,  of  which  Le  Ray  de  Chau- 
mont  was  chosen  president.  The  other  delegates  from  Jefferson 
County  were  Orville  Hungerford,  V.  Le  Ray  de  Chauruont,  Ed- 
mund Kirby,  Jason  Fairbanks,  Isaac  H.  Bronson,  Perley  Keyes, 
Robert  Lansing,  Nathan  Strong,  Philip  Maxwell,  and  Robert 
Nichols.  The  icsult  of  this  convention  was  the  formation  of  a 
state  society,  having  for  its  objects  to  improve  the  condition  of 
agriculture,  horticulture,  and  the  household  arts.  Besides  the 
usual  officers  of  such  organizations,  it  had  a  general  committee, 
the  members  of  which  were  to  be  located  in  the  several  counties, 
and  be  equal  to  the  representation  in  the  assembly.  Those  ap- 
pointed in  Jefferson  County  were  V.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont,  Ed- 
mund Kirby,  and  Egbert  Ten  Eyck. 

By  this  act  no  provision  was  made  for  county  societies.  In 
December,  1833,  the  Jefferson  County  Society  addressed  a  me- 
morial, urging  this  object  and  calling  attention  to  their  own 
county,  in  proof  of  the  beneficial  results  of  these  organizations, 
as  shown  in  improved  breeds  of  stock,  in  the  general  practice 
of  better  and  more  systematic  husbandry,  and  in  a  wholesome 
spirit  of  emulation,  imparting  value  to  farms  and  respectability 
to  farmers.  An  anxious  desire  for  an  extension  of  these  benefits 
induced  this  application,  in  which  of  the  two  plans,  which  had 
been  before  the  legislature  at  its  former  session,  one  of  which 
provided  for  the  establishment  of  agricultural  schools,  and  the 
other  for  county  and  state  societies,  they  expressed  their  prefer- 
ence for  the  latter,  as  at  that  time  more  extensively  useful.  The 
committee  who  signed  this  memorial,  were  J.  Le  Ray  de  Chau- 
mont, E.  Ten  Eyck,  E.  Kirby,  George  White ,  Olney  Pearce,  and 
Orville  Hungerford. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  1841,  an  act  for  the  encouragement  of 
agricultural  societies  was  passed,  by  which  this  was  to  receive 
$183,  for  five  years,  and  on  the  19th  of  June  of  that  year  a  new 
organization  was  completed.  In  the  summer  of  1843,  the  society 
erected  in  the  rear  of  the  court  house  a  hall,  105  by  50  feet,  at 

*  Assembly  Documents,  1830,  vol.  iv,  No.  308. 


408 


Ellisburgh  Agricultural  Society. 


a  cost  of  $1,000,  for  the  holding  of  fairs.  On  the  24th  of 
August,  1851,  the  executive  committee  resolved  to  purchase  ten 
acres  of  land  on  the  Brownville  road,  about  half  a  mile  west  of 
the  rail  road,  which  has  been  enclosed,  and  the  building  origin- 
ally built  near  the  court  house  removed  and  fitted  up,  with 
additions  for  the  permanent  use  of  the  society.  Great  credit  is 
due  to  the  forecast  of  the  executive  committee,  in  thus  securing 
a  most  eligible  site  for  the  annual  fairs  of  the  society. 

The  Ellisburgh  Agricultural  Society  was  organized  March 
8,  1849,  the  first  officers  being  Alvah  Bull,  president;  Mason 
Salisbury,  A.  G.  Earl,  vice  presidents;  William  T.  Searles,  re- 
cording  secretary;  Samuel  Hackley,  corresponding  secretary; 
Green  Packer,  James  Brodie,  A.  F.  Wood,  M.  Stearns,  M.  S. 
Wood,  T.  Shepard,  executive  committee. 

At  its  first  organization,  it  was  designed  to  apply  to  the  town 
of  Ellisburgh  only,  and  was  instituted  and  sustained  by  a  num- 
ber of  spirited  agriculturists  who  were  desirous  of  promoting  a 
competition  in  the  rearing  of  stock  and  the  details  of  farm  hus- 
bandry in  general,  but  who  found  it  difficult  to  attend  the  fairs 
of  the  county  society,  or  to  excite  through  them  that  local  in- 
terest and  emulation  so  desirable  to  attain. 

Comparatively,  but  few  had  attended  the  fairs  at  Watertown, 
and  the  benefits  of  association  scarcely  extended  to  the  more  re- 
mote sections  of  the  county.  This  society  has  held  one  fair 
annually  since  its  organization,  viz:  at  Ellis  Village  in  1849 
and  1850;  at  Belleville  in  1851;  at  Ellis  Village  in  1852,  and 
at  Belleville  in  1853. 

By  a  resolution  of  January  8,  1853,  the  citizens  of  Adams  and 
Henderson  were  allowed  to  compete  for  premiums,  but  all  meet- 
ings were  to  be  held  in  Ellisburgh,  and  on  the  10th  of  March, 
1853,  an  eligible  lot,  partly  in  a  cleared  field  and  partly  in  an 
open  wood,  was  leased  from  William  T.  Searls  for  ten  years,  the 
first  six  years  being  free  of  rent,  on  condition  that  the  premises 
should  be  enclosed  in  a  high  board  fence,  and  the  remaining  four 
to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  ten  dollars  per  annum.  The  subjects 
for  premiums  embrace  the  various  classes  of  domestic  animals, 
agricultural  implements,  the  produce  of  the  field,  the  orchard, 
the  dairy  and  the  i^aiden,  household  manufactures  and  miscella- 
neous articles;  and  the  money  with  which  these  premiums  are 
paid  is  derived  from  the  annual  contributions  of  members. 

The  officers  for  1853  were  Mason  Salisbury  president;  John 

C.  Cooper,  Henry  Green.  Jr.,  vice  presidents;  Calvin  Littlefield, 
recording  secretary;  B.  K.  Hawes,  corresponding  secretary ;  John 
Clark,  treasurer;  V.  C.  W'arner,  Nelson  Boomer,  Ferendez 
Brown,  C.  B.  Eastman,  James  F.  Converse,  Jabez  Hunting,  S. 

D.  Hungerford,  A.  E.  W\'bster,  and  George  Clark,  executive 
committee. 


The 
in  tht 
count) 
premi 
citizei 


Masonic  Associationg. 


409 


The  Cape  Vincent  Town  Agricultural  Society  was  formed 
in  the  spring  of  1850,  liaving  in  view  the  same  objects  as  the 
county  society,  limiting  its  operations  to  the  town,  and  offering 
premiums.  In  December,  1852,  its  rules  were  altered  to  allow 
citizens  of  Lyme,  Clayton  and  Wolf  Island,  to  compete  for  pre- 
miums. Its  oiiicers  are,  a  president,  two  vice  presidents,  a 
recording  and  corresponding  secretary,  and  treasurer,  who  form 
an  executive  committee.  Memberships  fifty  cents  annually. 
About  $100  have  been  given  each  year  for  premiums.  Its  offi- 
cers have  been  as  follows:  presidents,  John  B.  Esselstyn,  Wil- 
lard  Ainsworth,  RoswellT.  Lee,  and  Charles  Smith;  recording 
secretaries,  Robert  Bartlet,  John  W.  Little,  Nelson  B.  Williams; 
corresponding  secretary,  L.  H.  Ainsworth;  treasurers,  N.  B. 
Williams,  Sidney  W.  Ainsworth,  William  Esselstyn,  Thomas 
B.  Raymond.  The  society  is  at  presont  in  a  very  flourishing 
condition,  and  will  doubtless  be  productive  of  much  geod. 

Associations  for  Mutual  Benefit. — Masonic. — The  first  lodge 
formed  in  the  county  was  at  Sackets  Harbor,  in  1805,  styled  the 
Sackets  Harbor  Lodge,  with  Augustus  Sacket,  Jenks  Simmons,  and 
Squire  Reed,  successively  masrers.  In  the  war  it  was  suspend- 
ed, and  in  1818,  Athol  Lodge,  No.  308,  was  formed,  with  Hiram 
Steele,  master.    It  continued  until  1827. 

Sackets  Harbor  Lodge,  No.  135,  was  formed  May  28,  1848, 
with  Smuel  Lyons  master,  and  is  still  continued. 

Eastern  Light  Lodge,  No.  136,  was  formed  at  Watertown, 
June  17, 1806,  the  first  officers  being  Powell  Hall.M.,  S.  C.  Ken- 
nedy, S.  W.,  Zelotus  Harvey,  J.  W.,  Benjamin  Allen,  T.,  Isaiah 
Massey,  S.,  Hart  Massey,  S.  D.,  Josiah  Farrar,  J.  D.,  Benjamin 
Pool,  S.  S.,  Samuel  Foster,  J.  S.,  Andrew  Bassenger,  Tyler. 
The  masters  have  been:  1806,  P.  Hall;  1807.  S.  C.  Kennedy; 
1809,  C.  McKnight;  1813,  Isaiah  Massey;  1814,  Isaac  Lee, 
till  November  15,  1815,  when  the  charter  was  surrendered,  and 
June  5,  1817,  a  new  one  was  granted  for  Watertown  Lodge,  No. 
289,  under  which  the  masters  have  been,  1815,  I.  Lee;  1819, 
Dyer  Huntington;  1821,  Abner  Baker,  Jr.;  1823,  David  W. 
Bucklin;  1824,  A.  Baker,  Jr.;  1826,  Isaac H.  Bronson;  1827, L 
B.  Crawe;  1829,  L  H.  Bronson;  1832,  Asher  N.  Corss.  The 
charter  being  foriitMted,  was  restored  in  1835,  when  William 
H.  Shumway  was  chosen  master;  1836,  A.  N.  Corss;  1844,  W. 
H.  Shumway;  1845,  Calvin  Auborn;  1846,  Lysander  H.  Brown; 
1848,  P.  Horr;  1849, L.  H.  Brown;  1850,  A.  D.  Button;  1851, 
Randolph  Barns.     In  1840,  the  number  was  changed  to  49. 

Champion  Lodge,  No.  146,  was  opened  March  26th,  1807,  at 
the  house  of  Edward  Buttricks,  in  the  village,  the  first  officers 
being  Zelotus  Harvey,  M.;  John  Pardee,  S.  W.;  Reuben  Tread- 
way,  J.  W.;  Noadiah  Hubbard,  T.;  Jinson  Clark,  S;  William 


1 


ii' 


410 


Masonic  Associations. 


Coffeen,  S.  D.;  Timothy  Jackson,  J.  D.;  Asa  Harris,  Aaron 
Palmer,  stewardsj  Daniel  Coffeen,  tyler.  The  Masters  have 
been:  1807,  Z.  Harvey;  1808,  William  Coffeen;  1809,  Aaron 
Palmer;  1811,  N.  Hubbard;  1812,  Fairchild  Hubbard;  1813, 
Asher  Wilmott;  1814,  A.  Palmer;  1817,  Sylvester  Meriam; 
1818,  A.  Palmer;  1819,  Alexander  Copley;  1820,  Samuel 
Dean;  1821,  A.  Palmer;  1822,  Eli  West;  1823,  S.  Dean;  1824, 
E.  West;  1826,  S.  Dean;  1826,  Ward  Hubbard.  In  August, 
1827,  the  last  regular  meeting  under  the  old  charter  was  held, 
and  there  being  a  considerable  amount  of  funds  on  hand,  these 
were  applied  to  the  erection  of  the  present  stone  academy  in 
Champion  Village,  in  1834,  of  which  the  building  committee 
were  Noadiah  Hubbard,  John  P.  Johnson,  Levi  Ellis,  Solomon 
Hopkins  and  Hubby  Dorwin.  The  lodge,  with  a  new  charter, 
No.  29,  opened  December  19th,  1836.  The  masters  have  since 
been:  1836,  J.  P.  Johnson;  1837,  Ward  Hubbard;  1843, 
Samuel  A.  Budd;  1846,  W.  Hubbard;  1847,  Albert  L.  White; 
1848,  Seth  Merrill;  1850,  W.  Hubbard;  1861,  William  A. 
Hollister.    The  lodge  room  is  in  the  upper  story  of  the  academy. 

Rising  Sun  Lodge,  No.  124,  was  formed  at  Adams,  about 
1806,  the  first  master  being  Robert  Merrick.  During  the  anti- 
masonic  excitement  the  lodge  went  down.  It  has  been  lately 
revived  with  the  same  name  and  number. 

Washingto7i  Lodge,  No.  256,  was  foi»^.3d  at  Henderson, 
March  10th,  1816,  with  Emory  Osgood,  M.;  Noah  Tubbs,  S. 
W.;  Daniel  Leonard,  J.  W.  In  1824,  it  contributed  half  the 
expense  of  erecting  a  Baptist  church,  the  second  story  being 
fitted  for  a  lodge  room.  About  1832  it  sold  out  to  the  society 
and  was  given  up. 

Orion  Lodge,  No.  286,  was  formed  at  Woodvllle  October  27th, 
1817,  with  Martin  E.  Cook,  M.;  Oliver  Scott,  S.  W.;  Ebenezer 
Wood,  J.  W.  It  was  afterwards  removed  to  Ellis  Village,  and, 
about  1827,  abandoned. 

Brownville  Lodge,  No.  318,  was  installed  March  31st,  1819, 
by  Isaac  Lee  acting  as  G.  M.;  A.  Trowbridge,  D.  G.  M.  Its 
masters  have  been  Sylvester  Reed,  Peleg  Burchard,  James  Mc- 
Kenzie,  Hoel  Lawrence,  Warren  Skinner,  S.  Reed.  From  1827 
till  1839  the  meetings  were  discontinued,  when  the  charter  was 
revived  as  No.  53.  The  masters  have  since  been  Aianson 
Skinner,  Richard  Buckmaster,  Arba  Strong,  John  N.  Cole,  A. 
Skinner,  R.  Buckmaster,  Charles  K.  Loomis,  Horace  Skinner, 
and  Morrison  C.  Loomis. 

Cape  Vincent  Lodge,  No.  344,  was  installed  July  10th,  1822, 
by  Isaac  Lee.  The  petition  in  December  previous  was  signed 
by  John  B.  and  R.  M.  Esselstyn,  Ehiathan  Jiidd,  Zebulon  Con- 
verse,   Elisha  Johnson,   Henry    Ainsworth,    James    Buckley, 


bridofp 


Masonic  Associations. 


Ill 


Andrew  Estes,  William  Palmer,  John  Nash,  Count  Real,  Joseph 
Cross,  S.  P.  Sheldon,  Samuel  Doxsee,  Willis  Merritt,  and  D.  Slo- 
cura.  The  first  officers  were  J.  B.  Esselstyn,  M.j  E.  Judd,  S.  W.; 
Z.  Converse,  J.  W.J  R.  M. Esselstyn,  S.;  H.  Ainsworth,T.  During 
the  anti-masonic  excitement  the  lodge  was  broken  up,  and  the 
present  year  a  new  one  has  been  formed  that  was  installed  July 
28th,  1853. 

Union  Lodge,  No.  397,  was  formed  March  24th,  1824,  at 
Rodman,  with  Levi  Heath,  M.;  William  P.  McKinstrey,  S.  W.; 
Philon  Parker,  J.  W.  Mr.  McKinstrey  succeeded  as  master, 
when  in  1827  it  was  dissolved.  The  by-laws  were  signed  by  43 
members. 

Mexandria  Lodge,  No.  383,  was  formed  in  1824,  at  Theresa, 
the  successive  masters  being  William  Storm,  Dr.  John  D.  Davi- 
son, and  Archibald  Fisher.  It  went  down  in  1827  or  1828.  On 
the  2 1st  of  June,  1850,  Theresa  Lodge,  No.  174,  was  chartered, 
with  J.  D.  Davison,  M.;  John  Moak,  S.  W.;  and  John  Dillen- 
back,  J.  W.    J.  Moak,  succeeded  as  master. 

The  Queen  of  Sheba  Lodge,  John  Howe,  M.,  was  formed  at 
Antwerp,  a  few  years  before  the  rise  of  anti-masonry,  and  went 
down  in  that  period.     The  .Antwerp  Lodge  was  instituted  1847. 

Carthage  Lodge  was  installed  July  11,  1826,  the  address  be- 
ing delivered  by  Isaac  Clinton,  of  Lowville.  The  officers  were, 
Eli  West,  M.;  Thotras  Brayton,  S.  W.;  N,  Starks,  J.  W.  In 
June,  1849,  it  was  revived  as  No.  158,  with  E.  West,  M.j 
Joseph  Crowner,  S.  W.;  K.  E.  Parker,  J.  W. 

Herman  Lodge,  was  instituted  at  Evans'  Mills,  in  tii<i  fall  of 
1826,  with  William  Palmer,  M.j  who  held  the  office  till  the 
charter  was  surrendered,  soon  after.  It  has  not  since  been 
revived. 

Scotch  Lodge,  No.  500,  was  instituted  April  23,  1827,  with 
John  McRobbie,  M.;  James  Fairbairn,  S.  W.;  William  Fachney, 
J.  W.  The  charter  was  forfeited  January  19,  1833.  The 
lodge  was  installed  at  Ox  Bow,  and  the  meetings  were  held  in 
the  Scotch  Settlement,  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Rossie. 

Depauville  Lodge,  was  formed  shortly  before  1828,  and 
existed  but  a  short  time.    It  had  about  thirty  members. 

Chaumont  Lodge,  No.  172,  was  installed  August  7, 1850,  and 
now  has  fifty-five  members.  Its  masters  have  been  Frederick 
Bell,  P.  P.  Gage  and  F.  Bell. 

Mexandria  Lodge  was  instituted  at  Plessis,  in  the  summer  of 
1853,  with  Jason  Clark,  M.;  Martin  J.  Hutchins,  S.  W.;  Daniel 
Roof,  J.  W.     In  October,  it  numbered  about  twenty  members. 

Clayton  Lodge,  No.  296,  was  formed  in  February,  1853. 

Chapters. — Watertown  Chapter,  No.  59,  was  instituted  Feb- 
ruary 7,  1817,  with  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  H.  P.;  Amasa  Trow- 
bridge, K. ;  Isaac  Lee,  S. 


'  3' 


412 


Chapterg. — Odd  Fellows^  Lodges. 


! 


11 


Sackets  Harbor  Chapter,  No.  68,  vfaa  formed  February  7, 
1820,  upon  the  application  of  M.  T.  Woolsey,  William  King 
and  John  Clitz.  In  December,  1849,  it  was  revived,  after  many 
years  interval,  with  Thomas  S.  Hall,  H.  P.;  Jason  Phelps,  K.j 
and  Samuel  Whittlesey,  '^. 

Meridian  Sun  Ckrtpfer,  was  instituted  at  Adams,  March  11, 
1824,  and  has  been  long  since  discontinued. 

Rising  Virtue  Chapter,  No.  96,  was  revived  at  Chaumont, 
on  an  old  charter,  in  August,  1851,  with  ten  members.  Its  first 
officers  were  R.  T.  Lee,  H.  P.;  F.  Bell,  K.;  Z.  Converse,  S. 

Watertovm  Encampment,  No.  11,  was  formed  June  9,  1826, 
with  Orville  Hungeriord,  Grand  Com.;  Adriel  Ely,  Generalis- 
simo; and  Isaac  H.  Bronson,  Capt.  Gen.  It  now  numbers  about 
twenty-five  members. 

On  the  occurrence  of  the  abduction  of  William  Morgan,  the 
anti-masonic  excitement  pervaded  this,  with  other  sections,  and 
nearly  every  lodge  in  the  county  surrendered  its  charter.  The 
matter  soon  got  into  politics,  and  several  papers  were  succes- 
sively established  at  Adams  and  Wateriown,  as  more  fully  stated 
in  our  account  of  the  press.  In  1830,  thirteen  masonic  and  five 
anti-masonic  supervisors  were  elected,  and  in  1831  an  equal 
number  of  each.  This  question  unsettled  former  political  organi- 
zations, and  in  innumerable  instances  made  political  friends 
those  who  had  previously  been  opponents. 

Odd  Fellows. — Black  River  Lodge,  No.  124,  and  Iroquois 
Lodge,  No.  161,  formed  at  Watertown,  were  united  September, 
24,  1844,  as  the  Jefferson  Union  Lodge,  No.  124,  and  has  since 
been  the  only  lodge  of  this  order  in  the  place.  Tuscarora  Lodge, 
No.  250,  was  formed  at  Antwerp,  about  1846.  Cassiopia  Lodge, 
No.  291,  formed  at  Plessis,  April  13,  1847,  and  in  December 
removed  to  Theresa.  Wampanoag  Lodge,  No.  311,  formed  at 
Sackets  Harbor,  September,  1847.  Wenona  Lodge,  No.  323, 
formed  at  Adams,  October  18,  1847.  Montcalm  Lodge,  No.  69, 
formed  at  Clayton,  February  18,  1848.  Tohopeka  Lodge,  No. 
63,  formed  at  Carthage,  in  1851.  Collins  Lodge,  No.  421,  formed 
at  Belleville,  February  5, 1852.  Montezuma  Lodge,  No.  36,  was 
formed  at  Champion.  Montezuma  Encampment, ^o.  56, 1. 0. 0.  F., 
was  instituted  at  Watertown,  November,  19,  1837  j  J.  J.  Salford, 
Chief  Patriarch;  Sylvester  Smith,  H.  P.;  Wm.  H.  Sigoumey, 
S.  W.;  John  H.  Smith,  J.  W.;  Benj.  Lewis,  S.;  Morris  Livings- 
ton, T.  The  chief  patriarchs  have  been  J.  J.  Saflford,  C.  G. 
Wright,  J.  L.  Rowlison,  B.  F.  Stillman,  John  Collins,  W.  R. 
Trowbridge,  Wm.  A.  Loomis,  M.  M.  Reed,  Frederick  Emerson. 
The  high  priests  have  been  S.  Smith,  J.  L.  Rowlison,  C.  H. 
Wright,  Wm.  A.  Loomis,  W.  R.  Trowbridge,  W.  W.  Wright, 
M.  M.  Reed,  F.  Emerson,  W.  W.  Wright. 


".w^ 


Son*  of  Temperance. 


413 


Song  of  Temperance. — About  thirty  divisions  of  this  organiza- 
tion have  existed  in  the  county,  many  of  which  have  ceased  to 
exist,  and  from  present  appearances  this  order  will  soon  give 
place  to  some  other  movement  in  the  cause  of  temperance.  In 
March,  J851,  there  were  28  divisions,  and  1,116  contributing 
members.  Divisions  have  been  established  at  the  following 
places,  in  the  order  of  their  numbers. 

Northern  Star,  90,  December  20,  1850,  at  Three  Mile  Bay; 
Morning  Star,  156,  at  Watertownj  Mams,  124,  at  Adams,  in 
1848;  it  soon  went  down  and  was  succeeded  by  Cheerful  Hope, 
166,  which  has  also  ceased.  Occidental  Star,  167,  S.  Rutland; 
Jefferson,  187,  February  10, 1851,  at  Black  River;  Rising  Sun, 
210,  at  Sackets  Harbor,  ceased  December,  1852;  ^gis,  236, 
at  Carthage;  .Antwerp,  274,  September  19,  1850;  Depauville, 
275,  December,  28,  1849;  Pine  Grove,  280,  at  St.  Lawrence 
(Cape  Vincent);  Meridian,  303,  at  Watertown;  Mountain  Wave, 
346,  at  Redwood;  Brownville,  360;  Jinnexed  Star,  398,  at 
Champion;  JYatural  Bridge,  £^6;  Kossuth,  519,  at  Theresa; 
Polar  Star,  545,  at  Point  Peninsula;  Meridian  Star,  546,  at 
Cape  Vincent;  Chaumont,  547;  Lafargeville,  556;  Plessis^ 
590;  Rolling  Billow,  630,  at  Stone  Mills;  Radiant  Star,  631, 
at  Evans'  Mills;  French  Creek,  635;  Elm  Corners,  637,  at 
Three  Mile  Bay;  Olive,  642,  at  Woodville,  April  1,  1850; 
Dexter,  665;  Fellowship,  669,  at  Smithville. 

Daughters  of  Temperance  have  organized  at  Adams,  and,  it  is 
believed,  at  one  or  two  ether  places,  but  none  now  exist. 

Good  Samaritans.  Eagle  Lodge,  No.  47,  was  formed  at  Wood- 
ville, April  15,  1852.  The  office  of  W.  C.  has  been  held  by 
G.  A.  Jenkins,  S.  T.  Wood,  Hj  D.  Converse,  John  A.  Rowe,  H. 

D.  Jenkins,  C.  C.  Clark.  Mams  Lodge,  No.  46,  was  formed  & 
little  earlier,  and  has  become  extinct.  Cataract  Lodge,  No.  — , 
formed  at  Watertown,  of  17  charter  members,  February  22, 1853. 

Cadets  of  Temperance,  have  existed  at  several  places  in  the 
county,  but  we  have  been  unable  to  obtain  definite  information 
of  them. 

Knights  of  Jericho.  Chrystal  Fountain  Lodge,  No.  50,  of 
Theresa,  was  formed  February  2,  1853,  with  Silas  L.  George, 

E.  .Johnson,  Tho's  L.  Gale,  Roswell  C.  Flower,  C.  E.  Zwick, 
C.  H.  Helmer,  Wra.  Fayel,  R.  Hildreth,  Lawrence  Clark,  H. 
Holdenhouse,  A.  G.  Ruyther,  A.  P.  Salisbury,  L.  C.Hungerford, 
Geo.  W.  Goodnough,  Gilbert  Townsend,  G.  W.  Cornwell,  David 
Barrup,  Oscar  Cornwell,  Davis  Ballard,  Chas.  W.  Flemming, 
M.  Prindle,  Justin  Kelsey,  E.  J.  Pearce,  and  Joseph  Fayel,  first 
members.  D.  Ballard  was  elected  first  W.  C,  and  after  him 
Michael  Prindle.  Kama  Lodge,  No.  56,  was  instituted  at  Alex- 
andria Centre,  September  7,  1853,  and  the  first  month  numbered 
about  thirty  members. 

27 


414 


Watertown  Mechanics*  Association. 


The  Jefferson  County  Industrial  .Association,  a  joint  stock 
company  of  6000  shares,  at  $10  each,  was  formed  in  May  1843, 
at  VVatertown,  having  for  its  objects  a  union  of  labor  and  cap- 
ital after  the  plan  of  Fourrier.  It  at  one  time  numbered  nearJy 
400  persons,  but  after  existing  a  little  more  than  a  year  it  was 
dissolved;  the  numbers  having  been  reduced  to  less  than  100. 
An  establishment  was  formed  two  miles  east  of  Watertown  at 
Cold  Brook,  in  which  vicinity  about  600  acres  of  land  had  been 
purchased,  mechanic  shops  fitted  up,  and  conveniences  for  fami- 
lies erected.  Affairs  were  to  be  managed  by  a  president,  vice 
president,  and  twelve  directors,  and  an  account  of  labor,  board, 
clothing  &c.,  was  to  be  kept  with  each. 

The  Watertown  Mechanics'  .Association  was  formed  August 
13,  1844,  by  a  committee  consisting  of  two  from  each  trade  ap- 
pointed by  a  convention  held  the  week  previous.  The  objects 
of  the  association  as  set  forth  in  their  constitution,  are  the  cul- 
tivation and  improvement  of  the  moral,  social  and  intellectual  fac- 
ulties, by  diffusing  information  upon  subjects  connected  with  the 
mechanic  arts,  by  exhibiting  improvements,  by  discussing  the 
principles  of  mechanism,  collecting  statistics,  and  in  such  other 
ways  as  might  be  deemed  useful.  Mechanics,  artizans,  and 
manufacturers  might  become  members  of  the  associations  by  sign- 
ing the  constitution,  and  paying  $1  in  semi-annual  payments. 
Fairs  might  be  held  at  such  times  as  might  be  appointed,  and 
weekly  discussions  and  debates  were  to  be  held. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  at  the  first  meeting;  viz: 
William  H.  Robinson,  prmrfen^y  Gilbert  Bradford,^w^  vice  pre- 
sident; W.  Y.  Buck,  second  vice  president;  Avery  Thomas,  re- 
cording secretary;  George  Martin,  corresponding  secretary; 
James  H.  Ryther,  treasurer;  John  A.  Haddock,  collector;  Lo- 
renzo Finhey,  0.  L.  Wheelock,  C.  E.  Hubbard,  John  Jordan, 
Timothy  Turner,  managers;  George  Burr,  A.  Freeman,  A.  H. 
Burdick,  commissioners Jinance. 

Mechanics*  Mutual  Protections  viere  formed  at  Watertown, 
Brownville  and  Theresa,  which  were  of  short  continuance. 


The  Jeffernn  County  Bank. 


416 


,m 


CHAPTER  XI. 


BANKS— CORPORATIONS. 

The  earliest  movement  in  the  county  towards  a  bank,  may  be 
traced  back  to  the  early  part  of  1807,  when  a  petition  was  for- 
warded to  the  legislature,  praying  that  that  body  would  loan  to  the 
people  of  the  couf  y  $150,000,  on  good  landed  security,  in  bills 
of  credit,  and  that  the  same  be  made  a  legal  tender  in  the  pay- 
ment  of  debts.  Mr.  Kent,  from  the  committee  to  whom  this  was 
referred,  reported,  that  the  constitution  of  the  United  States 
prohibited  the  state  governments  from  making  any  thing  but 
gold  and  silver  coin,  a  legal  tender  of  debts,  and  therefore  the 
prayer  could  not  be  granted.* 

In  1816,  concerted  efforts  were  made  for  a  bank,  but  the  loca- 
tion prevented  entire  unity  of  action. 

Tke  Jefferson  County  Bank  was  incorporated  by  an  act 
passed  April  17,  1816,  on  a  petition  from  .lohn  Brown,  Roswel 
Woodruff,  Eliphalet  Edmonds,  David  I.  Andrus,  Ethel  Bron- 
son,  Jabez  Foster,  Egbert  Ten  Eyck,  Hoel  Lawrence,  Frederick 
White,  Abel  Cole  and  others,  to  continue  until  January  1,  1832, 
with  a  capital  not  exceeding  $400,000,  in  shares  of  $50  each. 
Elisha  Camp,  of  Houndsfieltl,  Jesse  Hopkins,  of  Henderson,  Eben- 
ezer  Wood,  of  Ellisburgh,  Jabez  Foster,  of  Watertown,  Clark 
Allen,  of  Lorraine,  Samuel  C.  Kennedy, of  Rodman,  Ethel  Bron- 
son,  of  Rutland,  John  Durkee,  of  Champion,  Thomas  Brayton,  of 
Wilna,  Silvius  Hoard,  of  Antwerp,  Musgrove  Evans,  of  Le  Ray, 
John  Paddock  of  Brownville,  and  Eliphalet  Edmonds,  of  Adams, 
Were  appointed  to  apportion  the  stock  and  locate  the  site  of 
the  banking  house.  These  met  at  Watertown,  and  after  a 
prolonged  and  exciting  strife  between  Watertown  and  Brown- 
ville, the  latter,  uniting  with  other  interests,  succeeded  in  getting 
it  located  at  Adams,  more  from  jealousy  of  W^atertown,  than 
wit'i  the  hope  or  expectation  of  benefiting  Adams.  John  Pad- 
dock was  generally  charged  with  producing  this  result.  The 
first  directors,  elected  June  20,  1817,  were  John  Paddock,  Hoel 
Lawrence,  Ebenezer  Wood,  Ciark  Allen,  David  1.  Andrus,  S.  F. 
Hooker,  Elisha  Camp,  Frederick  White,  David  Hale,  Samuel  C. 
Kennedy,  John  Cowles, Eliphalet  Edmonds  and  Joseph  Sterling. 
The  first  president  was  J.  Paddock.  The  bank  went  into  opera- 
tion on  a  capital  of  $80,000,  but  in  June,  1819,  it  failed.  By 
an  act  of  November  19,  1824,  the  bank  was  removed  to  Water- 
town  and,  April  29, 1829,  the  charter  was  extended  to  January  1, 

*  AiMmbly  Jounud,  1S07,  p.  8S7. 


ly 


■.f\ 


I 


416 


Sacketg  Harbor  Bank. 


Jefferton  County  Bank^  Wattrtovm. 


1854.    The  directors,  by  this  act,  were  required  to  own  at  least 
$500  stock.    The  charter  was  farther  amended  April  14,  1830. 

May  19, 1836,  the 
SS|^1§P'^il^>^-'^^'^",  capital  was  in- 
M©«fci-r-;  creased  from  $80,- 

000  to  $200,000, 
and  commissioners 
appointed  to  re- 
ceive subscrip- 
tions in  shares  of 
ten  dollars  each. 
In  1837,  an  inef- 
fectual effort  was 
made  to  get  this 
act  repealed.  In 
1828  it  became 
one  of  the  safetv 
fund  banks,  and 
its  dividends  since 
1830  have  aver- 
aged ten  per  cent. 
Its  presidents  have  been,  John  Paddock,  1816;  Frederick  White, 
to  fill  vacancy;  Jabez  Foster,  1817-19;  Ethel  Bronson,  1820-5; 
Jabez  Foster,  1825-6;  Perley  Keyes,  from  1826-33;  Micah 
Sterling,  1833-4;  Orville  Hungerford,  1834-45;  Norris  M. 
Woodruff,  1845-54.  Cashiers,  James  Wood,  1816-20;  0. 
Hungerford,  1820-33;  Orville  V.  Brainard,  1833-54.  On  the 
21st  of  October,  1853,  articles  of  association  of  a  bank  of  the 
above  name,  were  filed  in  the  secretary's  office,  to  take  effect  on 
the  expiration  of  the  charter,  and  continue  about  fifty  years, 
with  $400,000  capital,  and  the  following  directors:  N.  ^. 
Woodruff,  G.  C.  Sherman,  R.  Lansing,  Eli  Farwell,  T.  H. 
Camp,  J.  H.  Fish,  A.  Ely,  O.  V.  Brainard,  William  C.  Pierre- 
pont,  M.  Coburn   and  D.  D.  Otis. 

A  public  meeting  was  held  at  Watertown,  November  27th, 
1832,  at  which  strong  resolutions  were  passed  in  favor  of  the 
formation  of  a  new  bank,  and  a  committee  consisting  of  J.  Fair- 
banks, N.  M.  Woodruff,  L.  Paddock,  E.  Ten  Eyck,  John  Fay,  L. 
Beebee,  J.  Sigourney,  William  Ruger,  and  L.  G.  Hoyt,  were  ap- 
pointed to  draft  a  petition  for  a  charter  for  an  institution  to  be 
called  the  Watertown  Bank.  In  this  petition  it  was  set  forth 
that  an  increase  of  bank   capital  was  necessary  to  meet  the 

f  rowing  wants  of  the  county.  The  natural  advantages  offered 
y  the  lake  and  St.  Lawrence  for  commerce,  and  by  Black  River 
for  manufactures,  with  the  high  susceptibility  of  the  soil  for 
agricultural  improvement,  were  adduced  in  support  of  the  ap- 


AatociaJted  Banks. 


417 


plication.  The  measure  xailed  of  accomplishment,  and  a  second 
bank  was  not  established  at  Watertown  until  after  the  passage  of 
the  general  banking  law  in  1838.  Some  of  those,  however, 
who  took  an  active  part  in  this  movement,  joined  in  establishing 
the  Sachets  Harbor  Bank,  which  was  incorporated  April  28th, 
1834,  with  a  capital  of  $200,000,  in  shares  of  $50  each,  and  a 
limitation  of  existence  to  January  1st,  1865.  Thomas  Loomis, 
Jesse  Smith,  Daniel  Wardwell,  Thomas  J.  Angel,  Azariah 
Walton,  Joseph  Sheldon,  Woodbridge  C.  George,  Henry  H. 
CofTeen,  and  Noadiah  Hubbard,  were  named  commissioners  for 
receiving  subscriptions  for  stock,  and  the  corporation  had  the 
usual  powers,  immunities,  and  restrictions  of  such  institutions. 
Its  affairs  were  to  be  managed  by  13  directors,  elected  annually 
on  the  2d  Tuesday  of  June,  by  ballot,  who  were  to  choose  one  of 
their  number  president.  The  charter  of  the  Sackets  Harbor  Bank 
came  before  the  legislature  for  repeal  in  April,  1837,  upon  a  com- 
plaint that  its  ofhcers  had  received  and  paid  out  certain  checks 
of  a  business  firm,  contrary  to  the  provision  of  the  law  prohibit- 
ing the  circulation  of  bills  less  than  $5.  The  bill  for  repeal 
having  pasjed  the  assembly  April  7th,  large  public  meetings 
were  held  at  Watertown,  Brownville,  Sacketts  Harbor  and 
elsewhere,  calling  upon  the  senate  to  prevent  its  passage.  It 
was  apprehended  that  the  sudden  withdrawal  of  so  large  a  sum 
from  the  circulation  of  the  county,  would  seriously  derange  its 
business,  and  the  bank  and  its  officers  were  defended  against  the 
calumnies  that  had  been  circulated.  These  effort?  proved  unavail- 
ing, and  the  bill  for  repeal  became  a  law  May  12<^^h,  1838,  the 
directors  being  appointed  trustees,  until  others  were  appointed  to 
settle  its  affairs.*  On  the  17th  of  April,  1837,  the  charter  was 
restored,!  and,  March  25th,  1852,  an  act  was  passed  authorizing 
a  change  of  its  place  of  business  to  Buffalo,  upon  the  concur- 
rence of  two-thirds  of  its  directors.  This  measure  had  been 
several  years  contemplated,  and  repeated  applications  had  been 
made  to  the  legislature,  which  had  been  defeated.  The  act  was 
at  length  procured  without  the  knowledge  of  many  citizens  who 
had  previously  opposed  it. 

Associated  Banks. — A  meeting  of  citizens  of  the  county  was 
held  in  December,  1838,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  bank 
under  the  general  law.  O.  Hungerford,  L.  Paddock,  N.  M. 
Woodruff,  W.  H.  Angel,  and  H.  D.  Sewall,  were  appointed  to 
arrange  the  articles  of  association.  The  Bank  of  Watertowny 
Was  accordingly  formed,  commencing  operationa  January  26, 
1839,  with  $  100,000  capital,  the  first  president  being  L.  Pad- 

*  Affidavits  and  statements  on  the  subject  occur  in  Assembly  Document*, 
1838,  numbers  243,  245,  296,  297,  298. 

t  Report  of  committee  with  statement*.  A*Bemb]y  Document*  1838,  v. 
N  <.  278. 


I 


M 


418 


Individual  Banks. 


dock,  and  the  first  cashier  William  H.  i\ngel.  The  presidents 
have  been  L.  Pacldoclc,  Willard  Ives,  John  L.  Goldsraid,  and  T. 
C.  Chittenden.  It  is  at  present  principally  owned  by  William 
H.  Angel,  and  on  the  25th  of  November  1853,  its  capital  was 
reported  at  $47,779. 

The  Watertow7i  Bank  and  Loan  Company  commenced  ope- 
ration January  20,  1839,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000,  in  equal 
shares,  by  G.  C.  Sherman  and  Noadiah  Hubbard. 

The  Merchants'  Exchange  Bank,  organized  January,  1849, 
Tras  designed  to  transact  a  business  of  loan  and  deposit,  without 
the  issue  of  its  own  bills,  by  using  specie  and  the  bills  of  other 
banks.  All  but  one  per  cent  of  its  capital  was  held  by  G.  C. 
Sherman,  but  the  bank  was  never  got  in  efficient  operation  and 
has  been  merged  in  the  last. 

Bladk  River  Bank,  was  opened  May  25,  1844,  with  $100,000 
capital,  of  which  L.  Paddock  owned  nine  tenths,  the  remainder 
being  held  by  Oscar  and  Edwin  L.  Paddock. 

Union  Bank,  at  Watertown,  was  opened  August  18,  1822, 
with  a  cipital  of  $100,000,  the  principal  parties  on  the  articles 
of  association  in  the  order  of  their  interest,  being  Henry  Keep, 
George  S.  Goodale,  N.  M.  Woodruff,  Walter  N.  Woodrulf, 
Abner  Baker,  who  subscribed  $2000  and  upwards,  Washington 
Genet,  Orin  C.  Utley,  L.  Paddock,  Daniel  Lee,  J.  H.  Button,  and 
£.  Q.  Sewell  subscribed  $1000  each,  and  others  to  less  sums. 

iNDivmuAL  Banks. — Wooster  Sherman's  Bank,  Watertown, 
opened  January  8,  1812. 

Henry  Keep's  Bank,  Watertown,  opened  September  28,  1847, 
discontinued. 

Mechanics'  Bank,  Watertown,  by  Henry  Keep,  begun  Sep- 
tember 17,  1851,  has  no  office  for  discount  and  deposit.  Cap- 
ital $20,000. 

Citizens*  Bank,  established  by  Keep  at  Watertown,  August  1, 
1850,  alterwards  removed  to  Oguensburgh,  and  in  August,  1852, 
at  Fulton,  Oswego  County. 

Frontier  Bank,  established  by  Keep  at  Watertown.  Removed 
in  the  spring  of  1851,  to  Potsdam. 

Hungerford  Bank,  by  Solon  D.  Hungerford,  opened  at  Adams 
October  31,  1845.  Articles  of  association  under  the  general 
law  were  filed  September  17,  1853,  with  the  same  name,  and 
the  capital  increased  from  $50,000  to  $125,000.  The  first 
directors  under  the  new  form  were  S.  D.  Hungerford,  pre- 
sident, M.  R.  Patrick,  vice  president,  Jeremiah  Griswold,  and 
Philander  Smith,  of  Adams,  Alonzo  Bradner,  of  New  York, 
Samuel  Wardwell,  of  Rome,  Roswell  Kinney,  of  Mannsville, 
George  Gates,  of  Rodman,  and  N.  M.  Wardwell,  of  Pulaski,  di- 
rectors;  George  W.  Bonds,  cashier. 


Biographical  Noticet. 


419 


State  Bank  at  Sockets  Harltor,  owned  by  £.  B.  Camp,  capital 
$50,000.    Begun  business  May  17,  1852. 

Bank  of  Cartftage^ovfned  by  Hiram  McCollom,  begun  July 
17,  1852.    Capital,  November  25,  1863,  $18,600. 

In  January,  1838,  an  attempt  was  made  to  establish  an  asso- 
ciated bank  at  Carthage,  with  $100,000  capital.  On  the  7th 
of  January,  1839,  $30,000  had  been  subscribed,  and  on  the  22(1 
of  February,  an  election  of  officers  occurred,  but  nothing  further 
was  done. 

The  Jefferson  County  Mutual  Insurance  Company  was  formed 
by  a  special  act,  March  8,  1836,  by  which  Alpbeus  S.  Greene, 
Juson  Fairbanks,  Orville  Hungerford,  George  C.  Sherman,  Eli 
Farwell,  Norris  M.  Woodrutl',  Thomas  Loomis, Isaac  H.  Bronson, 
John  SafTord,  Edmond  Kirby,  William  Boom,  Joel  Woodworth, 
and  Joseph  Sheldon  and  their  associates,  were  incorporated 
during  a  period  of  twenty  years.  The  directors  named  in  the 
act  met  on  the  17th  of  March,  elected  Norris  M.  WoodrufT, 
president;  A.  S.  Greene,  vice  president;  Robert  Lansing,  secre- 
tary;  N.  M.  Woodruff,  A.  S.  Greene,  J.  Fairbanks,  G.  C.  Sher- 
man and  £.  Farwell,  executive  committee.  The  affairs  of  thl^ 
coiipany  have  been  closed  several  years. 

The  Jlgricultural  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  at  Evans' 
Mills,  completed  its  organization  March  12,  1853,  undtr  the 
general  law,  with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  On  the  13th  of  Octo- 
ber, they  numbered  between  700  and  800  policies,  on  farm 
property  only.  No  losses  had  been  sustained,  and  a  cash  fund 
of  $3000  had  been  acquired,  after  paying  expenses.  The  first 
officers  were  Alden  Adams,  president;  Isaac  Munson,  vice  presi- 
dent; W.  P.  Babcock,  Wolcott  Steele,  Joseph  Fayel,  Evelin 
F.  Carter  and  Ira  Beaman,  directors;  L.  Paddock,  treasurer; 
U.  A.  Wright,  secretary;  Earl  B.  Fowler,  general  agent. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  NOTICES. 

The  following  biographical  notices  embrace  but  a  part  of  the 
subjects  which  we  would  have  gladly  included,  had  the  data 
been  accessible.  There  is,  perhaps,  no  duty  more  delicate  to 
the  historian,  than  to  speak  of  those  who  have  but  recently 
acted  upon  the  stage  of  life;  whose  associates  are  still  livingj 
whose  acts  yet  exist  in  their  consequences,  and  whose  claim  upon 


1i 


4S0 


Mnjar  Oenerat  Brawn. 


the  re^i^ard  of  the  future  can  not  properly  be  determined  until 
time  shall  have  settled  the  merits  of  actions  by  existing  in  their 
results.  We  should  have  regarded  our  labor  as  unfuiished,  had 
we  failed  to  record  our  tribute  of  respect  to  the  memories  of 
those  who  took  a  leading  part  in  the  business  of  the  county 
during  the  hrst  half  century  of  its  existence,  and  who  laid  the 
foundations  of  society,  organized  the  institutions,  and  planned 
the  improvements  which  have  given  prosperity  to  the  present, 
and  promise  infinite  advantages  to  the  future.  With  societies,  as 
with  individuals,  character  is,  to  a  great  degree,  formed  in  early 
life,  or,  to  use  the  poetic  figure; 

"  Just  u  the  twig  ii  bent,  the  tree's  inclined," 

and  we  shall  always  find  those,  in  every  community,  who  have 
impressed  their  own  characters  upon  public  movements,  and 
given  direction  to  the  current  that  time  will  only  confirm  and 
strengthen.  In  this  chapter  we  shall  include  only  those  who  are 
deceased;  and  must  acknowledge  the  imperfection  of  several  ar- 
ticles, from  want  of  authentic  materials. 

Amos  Benedict,  one  of  the  earliest  lawyers  at  Watertown, 
was  a  native  of  Middlebury,  Ct.  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
18U0,  studied  law  with  Tappan  Reeve,  of  Litchfield,  and  settled 
in  Watertown  in  1807.  He  was  the  second  district  attorney,  a 
leading  member  of  the  bar,  and  died  about  the  period  of  the 
■war. 

Ethel  Bronson,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  removed  to  Rutland 
in  1805,  and  assumed  the  agency  of  that  town  and  a  part  of  Hen- 
derson, of  which  his  brother  had  become  the  purchaser.  He 
was  thrice  elected  to  the  legislature,  a.id  held  for  many  years 
the  office  of  judge  of  the  county  court.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1825,  he  was  president  of  the  Jefferson  County  Bank.  He 
was  not  ambitious  for  public  office;  but  in  those  qualities  that 
make  a  good  citizen,  a  kind  neighbor,  and  a  valued  friend,  he 
was  preeminent.  He  was  kind  and  liberal,  almost  to  a  fault; 
yet  public  spirited,  and  enterprising,  and  possessing  a  cha- 
racter marked  with  integrity  and  probity;  he  was  beloved  by  his 
friends,  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Major  Genkhal  Jacob  Brown  was  born  in  Falls  Township, 
Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  banks  of  the  Delaware,  and 
within  sightof  the  city  of  Trenton,  on  the  9th  of  May,  1775,  and 
was  the  fourth  descendant  of  George  Brown,  an  English  immi- 
grant, who  had  settled  in  the  province  two  years  before  the 
arrival  of  Penn.  The  descent  from  this  emigrant  was  by  Sam- 
uel, John,  and  Samuel,  Bi  own,  all  of  them  Quakers,  and  by  pro- 
fession, farmers.  His  father  had  married  a  daughter  of  Joseph 
Wright,  a  celebrated  Quaker  preacher,  and  she  possessed  a  degree 


«N»ti 


Major  General  Brown. 


421 


of  intelligence  and  strength  of  mind  seldom  equaled;  qualities 
which  were  developed  in  her  son  at  an  early  period,  and  shone  con- 
spicuously through  lite. 

The  fnmily  consisted  of  John  (afterwards  Judge  Brown  of 
Brownville),  Jaco6,  Joseph,  Mary  (Mrs.  Newland,  of  Fishkill, 
deceased),  Benjamin,  Samuel  (Major  Brown,  formerly  of  Brown- 
villeV  Hannah  (Mrs.  B.  Skinner,  still  living),  William,  Abi  (Mrs. 
M.  Lvans)  and  Joseph.  Samuel  Brown,  his  father,  possessed  a 
considerable  estate,  and  gave  his  family  the  beneht  of  such  in- 
struction as  the  vicinity  afforded,  and  for  one  or  two  seasons, 
Jacou,  with  his  brother  John,  attended  an  academy  at  Trenton, 
and  his  education  was  completed  at  the  winter's  tire,  at  home, 
where  he  kept  a  small  school  for  instructing  the  younger  mem- 
bers of  th^  family. 

An  unfortunate  speculation  had  deprived  his  father  of  the 
means  of  affording  him  a  finished  education,  and,  at  the  age  of 
sixteen,  he  found  himself  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  looking  out 
for  himself,  and  he  even  conceived  the  idea  of  retrieving  the  tor- 
tunes  of  his  family,  and  from  that  moment  set  himself  assiduous- 
ly to  the  work."  From  eighteen  to  twenty-one,  he  was  employed 
to  teach  a  large  school  in  Crosswicks,  New  Jersey,  and  having 
qualified  himself  for  the  duties  of  a  land  surveyor,  he  spent  one 
year  in  the  Miami  country,  in  Ohio,  to  which  section  his  father  had 
conceived  the  idea  of  removing,  but  he  returned  in  1798,  and  was 
again  induced  to  take  « )  nrge  of  a  Quaker  school  in  New  York. 
It  being  a  periof'  political  excitement,  he  frequently  took  a 
part  in  these  di>cussions,  and  in  one  of  them,  he  formed  an  ac- 
quaintance wiih  Oouverneur Morris,  which  subsequently  ripened 
into  a  warm  fritendship.  He,  about  the  same  time,  became  ac- 
quainted \v  >th  Rodolph  Tillier,  the  agent  of  the  Cliassanis  compa- 
ny, who  made  with  him  a  journey  to  his  father's  house,  and  con- 
cluded a  bargain  with  S.  Brown  for  the  purchase  of  a  large  tract 
at  two  dollars  per  acre.  In  February,  1799.  having  given  up  his 
school,  he  started  for  his  future  home,  the  location  of  which  had 
not  been  definitely  fixed,  and  arrived  at  the  Fi  nch  Settlement, 
at  the  high  falls  on  Black  River,  between  which  place  and  Utica 
he  made  several  journeys  during  the  winter,  and  brought  in  a 
quantity  of  provisions  preparatory  to  his  final  removal  to  a  loca- 
tion he  had  decided  upon  forming,  at  the  head  of  navigation  of 
Black  River.  In  March,  as  soon  as  the  river  was  clear  of  ice, 
he  launched  a  boat  upon  its  swollen  and  angry  waters,  and 
floated  down  to  the  Long  Falls.  From  thence,  in  company  with 
Chambers,  Thomas  Ward  and  a  few  hired  men,  he  took  the 
route  of  the  French  Road,  then  nearly  opened,  and  when  he  sup- 
posed they  had  gone  far  enough,  struck  off  towards  the  river,  which 

*NatioMl  Portrait  Gallery  of  Distinguished  Americans,  part  xx. 


422 


Major  General  Brown. 


he  happened  to  reach  at  the  present  village  of  Brownville.  He 
was  here  so  struck  with  the  unexpected  advantages  offered  by 
the  fall  at  the  mouth  of  the  Philomel  Creek,  then  swollen  by 
spring  floods,  that  he  resolved  to  make  his  stand  here,  where  the 
water-power  appeared  sufficient  for  every  purpose  required,  and 
the  river,  with  some  improvements  below,  could  be  navigated 
by  boats. 

On  the  27th  of  May,  he  was  joined  by  his  father's  family, 
who  came  by  the  tedious  navigation  of  the  Mohawk,  Oneida 
Lake,  Oswego,  and  Lake  Ontario.  He  commenced  at  once  clear- 
ing lands,  and  the  next  year  erecting  mills,  &c.,  the  details  of 
which  are  given  in  our  history  of  Brownville.  In  September  and 
October,  1799,  he,  w ith  his  brother  Samuel, surveyed  the  townships 
of  Hague  and  Cambray,  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  and  until  the 
opening  of  a  land  office  at  Le  Raysville,  in  1807,  he  acted  as 
the  agent  of  Mr.  Le  Ray,  in  the  settlement  of  his  lands  in 
Brownville  and  adjacent  towns.  As  the  opening  of  roads  is  one 
of  the  first  and  most  direct  methods  of  promoting  new  settle- 
ments, this  subject  early  engaged  his  attention,  and  he  was 
mainly  instrumental  in  procuring  the  construction  of  the  state 
roads,  one  in  1801,  from  Redfield  by  way  of  Adams,  and  one 
from  Utica  by  the  Black  River  valley.  Of  both  of  these  he  was 
appointed  a  commissioner  for  locating  and  opening,  and  he 
succeeded  in  getting  them  both  to  terminate  at  his  location,  in 
Brownville,  where  himself,  his  father  and  brothers,  had  opened  a 
store,  built  mills,  commenced  the  manufacture  of  potash,  which 
found  a  ready  market  in  Kingston  and  Montreal,  and  made 
extensive  clearings  for  raising  grain.  In  1804,  the  question  of 
forming  one  or  more  new  counties  from  Oneida,  became  the 
absorbing  theme,  and  a  convention  was  held  at  Denmark,  Nov. 
20,  1804,  to  decide  upon  the  application,  at  which  most  of  the 
delegates  are  said  to  have  gone  prepared  to  vote  for  one  county, 
but  from  the  influence  of  Mr.  Brown,  and  Gen.  Martin,  of 
Martinsburgh,  were  induced  to  apply  for  the  erection  of  two  new 
counties.  In  locating  the  county  seat,  the  most  active  efforts 
were  made  in  each  county,  Martinsburgh  and  Lowville  being  tlie 
rivals  in  Lewis,  and  Watertown  and  Brownville  in  Jefferson. 
Mr.  Brown  was  the  principal  advocate  of  the  latter,  but  the  mass 
of  settlement  was  then  in  the  southern  towns,  and  the  portion 
north  of  Biack  River  was  known  to  be  low,  level,  and  (in  a  state 
of  nature)  much  of  it  swampy.  The  settlements  that  had  been 
begun  at  that  early  day,  at  Perch  River,  Chaumont,  and  on  the 
St.  Lawrence,  were  visited  by  severe  sickness,  and  the  idea  was 
entertained,  or  at  least  held  forth  to  the  commissioners  who 
located  the  site,  that  it  could  never  be  inhabited.  Mr.  Brown 
next  endeavored  to  procure  the  location  on  the  north  bank  of  the 


Major  General  Brown. 


421 


river,  near  Walertown,  and  made  liberal  offers  of  land,  for  the 
public  use,  but  the  perseverance  and  intrigues  of  Mr.  Coffeen 
and  others,  succeeded  in  tixing  the  site  at  its  present  location. 

After  the  opening  of  the  land  office  at  Le  Raysville,  Mr. 
Brown  continued  for  two  or  three  years  devoted  to  his  private 
affairs,  and  meanwhile  received  unsolicited,  commissions  of  cap- 
tain, and  of  colonel  of  the  108th  regiment  of  militia.  His  pro- 
motion in  the  line  of  military  life,  is  said  to  have  arisen  from 
his  avowed  aversion  to  frequent  and  expensive  military  parades 
in  time  of  peace,  calling  off  the  inhabitants  from  their  labors  in 
the  fields,  and  encouraging  habits  of  intemperance  which  in  those 
days  were  too  frequently  the  accompaniment  of  such  gatherings. 
His  views  on  the  subject  of  militia  organizations,  approached 
more  nearly  to  our  present  system;  and  in  selecting  him  for  of- 
fice, the  people  were  convinced,  that  while  he  omitted  nothing 
conducive  to  the  public  safety,  he  would  cause  them  no  needless 
expense  of  time  and  money  tor  parades.  In  his  public  and  pri- 
vate conduct,  and  daily  life,  they  saw  him  in  possession  of  sa- 
gacity and  intelligence,  that  led  them  to  place  confidence  in  his 
resources,  should  emergencies  call  for  their  exercise,  and  the  in- 
tegrity of  his  private  life  convinced  them,  that  the  public  trusts 
with  which  he  might  be  honored,  would  be  faithfully  preserved. 
Our  foreign  relations  at  that  time  foreboded  collision,  and  the 
cloud  of  war  that  darkened  the  political  horizon,  and  filled  the 
timid  with  alarms,  gave  a  well-grounded  expectation  that  a  cri- 
sis was  approaching,  although  it  was  uncertain  which  of  the  two 
great  powers  of  Europe  would  declare  against  us,  and  the  parties 
that  divided  our  people,  were  far  from  being  harmonious  in 
opinions  of  the  relative  expediency  of  hostilities  with  either. 
The  opinion  of  Mr.  Brown  on  this  subject  may  be  gathered  from 
the  following  letter  to  the  governor  written  upon  the  receipt  of 
his  commission  as  Brigadier  General  of  militia. 

Brownville,  July  27, 181 1 . 
Dear  Sir, — "Having  received  my  commission  as  Geaeral,  for  which 
I  thanlc  you,  I  have  now  to  solicit  your  Exelleucy,  that,  in  case  of  war, 
your  Excellency  will  order  me  upon  duty.  It  shall  be  my  humble  en- 
deavor not  to  disappoint  the  just  expectations  of  my  friends.  Situated 
on  the  confines  of  the  British  Empire,  I  have  viewed  with  some  solici- 
tude the  state  of  our  relations  with  that  power,  and  this  solicitude  induces 
me  thus  to  address  your  Excellency.  I  am  not  one  of  those  that  believe 
a  war  with  Great  Britain  is  the  best  tiling  that  can  happen  to  tny  country. 
I  believe  that  a  war  with  the  tyrant  of  the  continent,  some  time  past, 
would  have  been  produced,  and  the  honor  of  this  nation  preserved  in  an 
amicable  adjustment  of  difficulties  with  the  man-stealers  of  the  ocean. 
As  we  are  now  surrounded  by  togs  and  whirlpools,  none,  save  Cod  and 
the  pilot,  can  say  which  course  it  is  best  to  steer.  But  to  my  humble 
vision,  it  appears,  that  we  must  fight  a  battle  with  both  belligerants,  or 
cease  to  prate  about  national  honor,  and  national  sovereignty,  and  na- 
tional dignity.    Your  Excellency  will  be  so  good  as  to  remember,  thai  I 


■at 


^<^ 


424 


Major  General  Brown. 


am  the  frontier  General  in  the  state  of  New  York,  Canadawards.  I  am 
serious  in  my  application  to  be  upon  duty,  if  there  is  war/  and  your 
friendship  will  lay  me  under  great  obligations.  Yours  truly, 

Hia  ExceUmcy  D.  D.  Tompldna.  Jacob  Brown." 

On  the  declaration  of  war,  Gen.  Brown  was  appointed,  by  Gov. 
Tompkins,  to  the  command  of  the  militia  on  the  frontier,  from  Os- 
wego to  St.  Regis,  and  spent  the  summer  in  organizing  and  direct- 
ing the  military  movements  at  Sackets  Harbor,  Cape  Vincent,  and 
various  points  along  the  St.  Lawrence  below;  nor  did  this  sea- 
son pass  without  incident  to  call  into  exercise  those  traits  of  de- 
cision, energy,  and  tact,  which  were  signally  displayed  at  a  later 
period  in  the  war.  His  first  duty,  was  to  quiet  the  alarm  which 
the  first  tidings  of  hostilities  occasioned,  for  which  purpose,  he 
traversed  most  of  the  settlements  of  the  county,  held  little  meet- 
ings of  the  inhabitants,  and,  by  his  representations  and  advice, 
succeeded,  to  a  great  degree,  in  restoring  confidence,  and  pro- 
curing the  adoption  of  measures  calculated  to  be  effectual  in 
case  of  urgent  nee<l.  Late  in  the  season,  he  was  succeeded  by 
Brigadier  General  Dodge,  and  ordered  to  assume  the  command 
Ogdensburgh,  to  which  place  he  repaired  by  water.  He  had 
scarcely  taken  up  his  quarters  there,  when  he  was  attacked  on 
the  4th  of  October,  by  the  enemy,  but  succeeded  in  repelling 
them  in  a  manner  that  conferred  much  credit  upon  himself  and 
his  troops.  The  following  letter  to  Governor  Tompkins,  relates 
to  this  event: 

Headquarters,  OoDEifSBtrROH,  October  7, 1812. 
Sir:  Since  I  wrote  you  by  express,  I  have  had  a  sort  of  action  with 
the  people  across  the  water.  The  enemy  appear  to  feel  very  angry  with 
me  since  my  arrival;  they  have  thrown  many  hundred  cannon  ball 
at  this  place,  and  I  have  collected  a  sufficient  number  of  them  to  pay 
more  than  the  damage  the  place  has  sustained.  I  have  no  powder  to 
sport  with  and  for  considerations  that  you  will  understand,  I  refused 
their  fire  at  long  shot ;  this  appeared  to  annoy  them  greatly,  and  I  could 
perceive  by  the  aid  of  an  excellent  glass  of  Mr.  Parish  that  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  3d  that  they  were  collecting  into  Prescott  from  all  quarter?. 
They  huzza'd  in  the  course  of  the  previous  firing  very  loud  and  fre- 
quently ;  as  this  was  a  business  that  cost  nothing,  I  thought  proper  to 
cause  my  force  to  hnTivia  by  way  of  stimulus  and  as  a  sort  of  substitute 
for  powder.  On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  between  9  and  10,  the  enemy  in 
very  considerable  force  marched  to  their  boats,  twenty-five  in  number, 
and  after  forming  an  open  column  and  making  a  little  circuit  up  the 
river  bore  directly  down  upon  us  with  two  gun  boats  each  carrying  a  nine 
pounder  leading  the  van.  I  had  refused  their  fire  across  the  river  and  I 
was  desirous  that  there  should  be  no  firing  on  this  occasion  until  the 
enemy  came  close  hug  upon  us.  The  enemy  were  playing  the  whole 
time  with  great  rapidity  upon  us  with  their  three  cannon.  The  few 
gims  I  had,  were  placed  along  the  river  so  as  most  effectually  to  annoy 
the  enemy  when  we  should  deem  it  proper  to  open  upon  them.  I  sus- 
tained the  fire  as  long  as  I  prudently  could  with  troops  who  had  never 
seen  service,  but  not  so  long  as  would  have  been  proper  with  men  in- 
nured  to  action.    The  fire  was  then  opened  upon  them  with  all  the  skill 


'  -'^•H^'^'fTVrSBWTI"',"^}^'' 


Major  General  Brown. 


425 


and  quicktiflss  of  which  the  men  at  the  guns  were  capable.  Our  fire  in 
a  very  few  minutes  threw  them  into  very  great  confusion  and  caused 
them  to  retire  in  liaste.  Notwithstanding  the  great  number  of  balls  thrown 
into  this  place  1  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  as  yet  I  have  nei- 
ther killed  or  wounded.  The  enemy  were  so  near,  'at  our  grape  flew 
in  every  direction  among  them  and  I  learn  from  Sdveral  deserters  that 
have  come  to  me  since  this  little  aflTair,  that  the  enemy  had  four  men 
killed  on  board  their  boats  ond  a  number  wounded,  and  that  there  were 
during  the  action  two  men  morta!' '  wounded  at  their  battery  by  the 
bursting  of  one  of  their  cannon.  "  "■  ^a  deserters  also  state  that  Colonel 
Lethbridge  commanded  the  expedi^.o.i  in  person ;  that  he  was  supported 
by  Colonel  Breckenridge,  that  there  were  m  the  boats  between  700  and 
800  men,  and  that  there  remained  at  Prescott  about  300  men  to  man  the 
guns,  &c.  You  will  perceive  how  unpleasantly  I  um  situated  with  a 
force  not  to  exceed  400  strong  at  this  important  point,  almost  destitute  of 
powder,  and  without  a  single  artillerist.  I  had  written  so  far  when  I  re- 
ceived a  line  from  my  brother  announcing  your  arrival  at  Fort  Tompkins 
and  a  request  from  you  that  I  would  meet  you  at  that  place.  As  this  is 
not  an  order  fVom  your  Excellency  I  shall  not  come.  I  deem  it  my  duty 
to  remain  at  this  port  for  the  present,  and  let  me  entreat  your  Excellency 
to  come  here  and  see  for  yourself.  I  um  confident  that  if  your  Excel- 
';  icy  would  come  here  a  plan  could  be  hit  upon  that  would  within 

•  ;nty  days  secure  all  the  public  stores  of  the  enemy  from  Lake  Ontario 
't  Montreal  or  procure  their  destruction.  I  am  solicitous  in  the  extreme 
to  see  you,  and  that  you  should  see  for  yourself  the  situation  of  this 
country  and  I  do  know  that  if  you  do  now  come  here,  great  good  will 
result  to  the  service  from  your  journey.  I  have  written  your  Excellency 
very  particularly  by  express  to  Albany.    This  letter  you  have  missed. 

Respectfully  yours,  Jacob  Browit. 

Hia  Excellenej/  the  Governor. 

The  plan  which  he  proposed,  vras  to  take  Prescott,  and  by  in- 
tercepting the  communications  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the 
Ottawa,  to  deprive  Upper  Canada  of  aid,  and  capture  it  in  detail. 
His  scheme  was  not  adopted,  and  in  the  event,  the  expenditure 
of  vast  sums  and  much  blood  on  the  Canadian  frontier  effected 
nothing.  On  the  29th  of  May,  1813,  General  Brown  was  hastily 
summoned  to  defend  Sackets  Harbor,  from  an  attack  which  the 
enemy  planned  against  that  place,  in  retaliation  of  our  descent 
upon  Little  York,  and  the  successful  result  of  his  plans  in  this 
engagement,  led  to  his  promotion  as  a  Major  General  in  the  reg- 
ular service,  and  opened  the  way  to  that  career  of  rectory  which 
in  this  and  the  following  year,  distinguished  the  American  armies 
under  his  command  on  the  Niagara  frontier.  Such  was  the 
lustre  that  his  name  acquired  in  these  campaigns,  that  upon  the 
formation  of  the  peace  establishment,  he  was  retained  in  com- 
mand of  the  i^rthern  division  of  the  army,  tha^  of  the  south 
being  under  Andrew  Jackson.  The  details  of  the  military  move- 
ments of  this  frontier  will  be  given  in  the  following  chapter; 
those  of  the  Niagara,  belong  to  our  general  history. 

A  series  of  resolutions,  was  passed  by  Congress,  November  3, 
1814,  the  first  of  which  was  as  follows: — Resolved  by  the  Ssnate 


426 


Major  General  Brown. 


and  House  of  Repressntatives  of  the  United  States  of  America^ 
in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  be  and 
they  are  hereby  presented  to  M^or  General  Brown,  and  through 
.lim  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the  regular  army,  and  of  the 
railitia  under  his  command,  for  their  gallantry  and  good  conduct 
in  the  successive  battles  of  Chippewa,  Niagara,  and  Erie,  in 
Upper  Canada,  in  which  British  veteran  troops  were  beaten  and 
repulsed  by  equal  or  inferior  numbers,  and  that  the  President  of 
the  United  States  be  requested  to  cause  a  gold  medal  to  be  struck 
emblematical  of  these  triumphs  and  presented  to  Major  General 
Brown. 

Similar  testimonials  were  voted  to  Generals  Scott,  Ripley, 
Miller,  Porter,  Gaines,  and  Macomb. 

This  medal  be^irs  his  profile,  after  a  painting  by  Sully,  upon 
one  side,  and  upon  the  reverse  it  commemorates  the  battles  of 
Chippewa,  Niagara,  and  Erie.  The  New  York  Legislature, 
passed  a  series  of  resolutions  in  December,  1814,  expressing 
their  approbation  and  presenting  a  sword,  to  the  several  com- 
manding officers  in  the  late  campaigns,  of  which  those  relating 
to  General  Brown  occasioned  the  following  correspondence: 

New  York,  24  December,  1814. 

"  Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  to  you  the  unanimous  resolution  of 
the  Senate  and  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York,  expressive  of  the 
exalted  idea  which  they  entertain  of  the  very  eminent  services  which 
you  have  rendered  your  country  during  the  last  campaign.  As  a  tcp- 
timony  of  the  gratitude  of  the  state,  I  am  charged  to  present  you  a  sword, 
a  duty  which  I  shall  hereafter  perform  with  feelings  of  the  liveliest  grat- 
ification. 

I  am  directed  by  the  Senate  and  Assembly,  to  communicate  to  you  in 
the  most  emohatic  manner,  the  high  sense  which  they  entertain  of  your 
patriotism,  talents,  and  conduct;  and  to  request  you  to  convey  their  thanks 
ro  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  that  gallant  army  which  you  led  so  often  to 
victory.  Accept,  sir,  an  assurance  of  my  high  estimation  of  your  gal- 
lantry and  talents,  and  of  my  great  personal  consideration  and  esteem." 

Major  General  Broum.  Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 

To  this  the  following  reply  was  made: 

fiROWNviLLE,  January  1, 1815.  ' 
"Sir:  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  ex- 
cellency's letter  of  the  25tii  ult.,  enclosing  the  resolutions  of  the  Senate 
and  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New  York,  approving  my  conduct  and 
that  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  guiiant  army  of  Niagara.  Eve/y 
officer,  and  every  man,  entitled  to  participate  in  the  honor  conferred, 
will  hold  in  great  estimation  the  approbation  of  the  representatives  of 
this  enlightened  and  high  minded  state.  * 

I  do  not  know  how  to  express  my  sense  of  the  obligation  I  feel  under 
to  your  excellency,  for  the  very  favorable  manner  in  which  you  have  been 
pleased  to  notice  my  conduct  As  I  am  proud  of  the  approbation  of 
those  I  esteem,  so  I  shall  always  hold  in  high  estimation  the  good  opin- 
ion of  your  excellency,  and  will  endeavor  so  tr^  demean  myself  as  to 
merit  the  continuance  of  your  regard. 


Major  General  Brown. 


487 


I  pray  you,  sir,  i.^  accept  the  assurance  of  the  very  high  respect  and 
conslHeratioD,  with  which  I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Your  excellency's  most  ol)edieut,  humble  servant, 
His  Excelkncy  Daniel  D.  Tompkiru.  Jacob  Baowif. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  1815,  the  corporation  of  the  city 
o^  New  York  presented  him  the  freedom  of  the  city,  in  a  gold 
box,  and  directed  a  full  length  painting  to  be  procured,  and 
placed  in  the  City  Hall.  It  is  from  this  painting,  that  our  por- 
trait of  General  Brown,  which  faces  the  title  page  of  this 
volume,  was  engraved.  - 

In  December,  1816,  General  Brown  experienced  a  severe 
bereavement,  in  the  death  of  a  son,  named  GouverneurM.,  who 
was  drowned  while  skating  o*"  he  ice  near  Dexter.  This  lad 
is  said  to  have  shown  an  intelligence  and  sagacity  far  beyond 
his  years,  which  naturally  gained  him  the  affection  of  those 
around  him,  and  his  father  had  especially  regarded  these  early 
manifestations  of  talent  with  feelings  known  only  to  the  doting 
parent.  It  may  well  be  imagined  that  the  heavy  tidings  gave  a 
deep  and  lasting  wound  to  his  hopes,  and  desolated  the  heart 
beyond  the  power  of  consolation,  or  reach  of  sympathy. 

In  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties,  General  Brown  removed 
to  Washington  in  1821,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  February  24,  1828,  from  the  effect  of  a 
disease  contracted  at  Fort  Erie.  For  some  time  previous,  his 
physical  powers  had  been  impaired  by  a  paralytic  stroke.  '  His 
death  was  announced  to  the  army  by  an  order  ^of  the  secretary 
of  war;  and  the  funeral  ceremonies  were  performed  with  all  the 
formality  and  dignity,  that  his  exalted  rank  required. 

A  monument  has  been  erected  by  congress  over  his  grave,  in 
Washington,  having  for  its  device  a  broken  column,  and  upon 
the  east  side  of  the  base  the  following  inscription: 

SACRED, 

to  the  memory  of  Major  General  Brown. 

By  birth,  by  education,  by  principle, 

devoted  to  peace. 

In  defence  of  his  country, 

a  warrior. 

To  her  service  he  dedicated  his  life. 

Wounds  received  in  her  cause,  abridged  his  days. 

In  reviewing  the  life  of  General  Brown,  we  can  not  but  be 
struck  with  the  evidences  of  integrity,  talent  and  ability 
which  he  evinced  in  the  various  stations  of  public  life  which  he 
was  called  to  fill. 

In  the  course  of  a  minute  and  detailed  inquiry  in  Jefferson 
County,  while  collecting  the  materials  of  this  volume,  the  author 
has  had  innumerable  opportunities  of  obtaining  independent 
private  opinions  from  those  with  whom  he  bad  been  associated 


428 


Dr.  Mhamer  B.  Crawe. 


in  various  capacities;  and  he  has  yet  to  meet  with  the  first  per- 
son who  had  the  ability,  or  the  disposition,  to  detract  in  the 
smallest  degree,  from  his  character  for  patriotism,  saeacity,  en- 
ergy and  ability,  as  a  military  man,  or  of  integrity,  honor  and 
probity,  as  a  citizen. 

Although  General  Brown  had  not  received  a  military  educa- 
tion, and  was  at  first  ignorant  of  the  discipline  and  usages  of  the 
service,  he  soon  acquired  a  familiarity  with  these  details,  and 
with  a  happy  facility,  availed  himself  of  the  experience  of  those 
around  him,  and  met  the  emergencies  arising  from  errors  with  a 
coolness  that  proved  him  the  possessor  of  a  sound  mind,  and  an 
unusual  share  o( practical  common  sense ^  without  which  the  most 
rigid  professional  training  will  fail  to  make  a  successful  com- 
mander. 

Nor  was  the  t«nor  of  his  private  life  less  engaging  than  his 
public  character.  He  was  a  devoted  son  and  brother,  an  affec- 
tionate husband  and  parent,  an  obliging  neighbor,  a  warm-hearted 
friend,  and  an  enterprising  public  citizen,  foremost  in  every 
enterprise  that  had  for  its  object  the  improvement  of  his  village, 
town,  or  county,  and  liberal  in  his  patronage  and  encourage- 
ment of  objects  of  public  utility.  For  several  years  he  was  an 
active  member  and  ufiUcer  of  the  county  agricultural  society,  and 
from  him  the  county  received  the  most  efficient  aid  for  the  open- 
ing of  roads,  and  the  planning  of  improvements,  having  for 
their  object  the  general  prosperity. 

Peleo  Burchard,  born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  in  1790,  removed 
in  early  life  to  Utica,  and  in  1809  settled  in  Watertown^  as  a 
merchant,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Brownville,  where  he 
failed  in  business.  In  1828,  he  was  elected  county  clerk,  and 
held  that  office  twelve  years,  a  sufficient  evidence  of  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  the  public.  His  success  in  being  repeated- 
ly elected  to  this  lucrative  office,  may  be  mainly  ascribed  to  his 
personal  popularity,  gained  by  a  kind  and  obliging  manner, 
which  won  the  regard  of  whoever  was  brought  in  contact  with 
him.  In  1843,  he  was  appointed  by  Tyler,  collector  of  Cape 
Vincent,  which  office  he  held  during  this  ^nd  the  next  presiden- 
tial term.  He  died  at  Cape  Vincent,  February  2,  1851,  of  a 
bronchial  disease,  and  was  interred  at  Watertown.  He  was  a 
brother  of  Jedcdiah  Burchard,  the  celebrated  evangelist. 

Dr.  Ithamer  B.  Crawe. — ^The  eminent  attainments  of  this 
person  in  the  natural  sciences,  and  especially  in  botany  and  min- 
eralogy which  he  pursued  with  peculiar  ardor  and  success,  en- 
title him  to  particular  notice.  He  was  born  in  Enfield,  Jfune 
11,  1792,  and  in  1802  removed  with  his  parents  to  Madison 
County,  New  York. 

In  youth  he  evinced  a  passion  for  the  study  and  collection  of 
plants,  and  his  health  having  failed  in  1811,  he  devoted  for  two 


Robert  B.  Doxtater. 


42d 


or  three  years,  the  most  of  his  time  to  these  pursuits.  In  1817, 
he  made  two  iishing  voyages  to  NewfoundlamI,  from  which  he 
returned  with  health  restored,  and  in  March,  1818,  commencid 
study  with  Dr.  Hastings,  ot  Clinton,  with  whom  he  remained 
three  years.  In  the  session  of  1821-2  he  attended  lectures  at 
the  New  York  University,  and  in  April  1822,  he  received  a 
county  license  to  practice  medicine,  in  the  same  year  he  re- 
moved to  Watertown,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Ogdensburgh,  and 
about  the  year  1836,  was  employed  to  superintend  some  lead 
mining  operations  in  Lubec,  Nova  Scotia.  This  business,  not 
meeting  the  expectations  of  its  projectors,  he  returned,  and  af- 
ter several  years'  residence  at  Pontiac,  in  Michigan, he  again 
settled  in  Watertown,  still  cherishing  his  fondness  for  botanical 
and  mineralogical  researches,  and  devoting  the  intervals  allowed 
by  his  arduous  professional  business  to  their  pursuit.  Having 
been  requested  by  Professor  Gray,  of  Cambridge,  to  procure  for 
him  some  plants  that  occur  on  Perch  Lake,  he  visited  that  local- 
ity, June  3,  1847,  where,  with  two  others,  he  ventured  out  in  a 
leaky  boat  which,  when  several  rods  from  shore,  filled  with  wa- 
ter. Being  an  excellent  swimmer,  he  started  to  return,  but 
being  encumbered  with  clothing,  he  drowned  before  reaching 
the  shore.  The  members  of  the  medical  profession,  and  ths 
masonic  fraternity,  of  which  he  was  a  zealous  member,  testified 
their  respect  for  his  character  by  resolutions  thai  were  published 
in  the  county  papers.  A  sketch  of  his  life  \vas  also  publisihed 
inSilliman's  Journal.* 

Timothy  Dewey,  a  native  of  New  England,  for  many  years  a 
civil  engineer,  and  resident  of  New  York,  but  for  about  fifteen 
years  previous  to  his  death  a  citizen  of  this  county,  died  at  the 
residence  of  his  son,  William  Dewey,  in  Lyme,  November  19, 
1853.  He  constructed  the  first  New  York  Gas  Works,  which 
conferred  much  professional  eminence,  and  in  all  the  relations  of 
life,  proved  himself  honest,  high  minded,  and  exemplary. 

Robert  B.  Doxtateu,  was  a  native  of  Adams,  where  he  was 
educated,  and  in  early  life  engaged  in^nercbandize  with  much 
success.  In  1849,  he  removed  to  WaffinoWw^  and  commenced 
trade  with  Messrs.  Brayton  &  Howland,  on  an  extensive  scale, 
and  at  the  completion  of  the  Watertown  and  Rome  Rail  Road, 
was  appointed  superintendent.  This  office  he  filled  with  dis- 
tinguished ability,  until  early  in  1853,  when  he  resigned,  and 
was  soon  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Michigan  Southern 
and  Northern  Indiana  Rail  Road.  He  had  but  just  entered  up- 
on this  important  trust,  when  he  was  stricken  with  apoplexy,  and 

^American  Journal  of  Science,  second  series,  iv.,  300. 

S6 


mH' 


430 


Alphetu  S.  Greene. 


died  at  Laporte,  Indiana,  May  17,  1853,  aged  39.  His  remains 
Avere  brought  back  to  Adams  and  interred.  In  energy,  ability, 
tact,  skill,  and  integrity,  Mr.  Doxtater  had  few  superiors. 

Richard  M.  Kssklstyn,  was  born  May  12,  1778,  at  Clave- 
rack,  then  Albany  County,  and  at  the  age  cf  twelve  removed  to 
Massachusetts,  where  he  resided  six  years  and  returned.  In  1801, 
he  accompanied  Messrs.  Smith  and  Delaraater  to  Chauraont,  as 
surveyor,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  trade  with  his  brother 
John  B.  at  Cape  Vincent,  of  which  place  he  was  almost  the  first 
settler.  On  the  occurrence  of  war,  he  removed  to  Watertown, 
and  was  appointed  county  clerk,  the  duties  of  which  he  per- 
formed with  much  ability.  He  died  of  yellow  fever,  at  Utica, 
October  2,  1822.  The  boa.J  of  si^pervisors  of  which  he  was  a 
member,  at  their  meeting  soon  after,  passed  a  series  of  resolu- 
tions expressive  of  their  respect  to  his  memory. 

Jabez  Foster,  was  born  August  1, 1777,  in  Lebanon,  Connecti- 
cut, from  whence  he  removed  to  Lewis  County,  and  at  an  early  pe- 
riod settled  as  a  merchant,  at  first  in  Burrville,  and  about  1807 
or  1808  in  Watertown  Village,  where,  in  company  with  0. 
Hungerford,  he  transacted  a  large  business  during  the  war.  For 
several  years  he  held  the  ofBce  of  county  judge,  and  in  every 
station  of  life  acquired  the  esteem  of  those  around  him,  by  the 
kindness  of  his  manner,  and  probity  of  character.  He  died  at 
Monroe,  Michigan,  December  10, 1847,  of  congestion  of  the  lungs. 

Marianus  W.  Gilbert,  was  long  a  citizen  and  merchant  of 
Watertown,  held  for  many  years  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  board 
of  supervisors,  village  trustee,  and  supervisor,  and  was  much 
esteemed  for  his  public  spirit  and  moral  worth.  He  died  at  Wa- 
tertown, June  7,  1839,  aged  53. 

John  L.  Goldsmid,  was  born  near  London,  November,  1789,  of 
-wealthy  parents,  and  in  youth  entered  the  British  army,  with  a 
commission  as  2d  lieutenant  of  cavalry,  from  which  he  became 
lieutenant  colonel.  He  served  in  Spain  during  several  years, 
and  afterwards  in  the  Ep"*  Indies,  during  which  service  he  was 
several  times  wounded,  and  was  necessarily  exposed  to  many 
hardships.  After  spenduig  several  years  in  traveling,  and  expe- 
riencing the  opposlfl  ^tremes  of  fortune  in  financial  operations, 
he  came  to  New  York  ia  1829,  and  afterwards  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Champion,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Watertown.  He  there 
engaged  in  business  that  made  him  generally  known,  as  his 
intelligence  and  amiable  character  made  him  universally  res- 
pected.    He  died  at  Watertown,  December  8,  1853,  aged  64. 

Alfheus  S.  Greene,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  removed  to 
Perch  River,  in  Brownville,  in  1812,  as  a  physician,  where  he 
resided  eighteen  years,  during  which  time  he  was  repeatedly 
elected  to  the  assembly,  and  was  appointed  county  judge.  In 
1829,  be  was  appointed  post  master  at  Watertown,  which  office 


Jette  Hopkim. 


4»1 


he  held  eleven  years,  and  in  1846,  was  chosen  a  delegate  to 
constitutional  convention.  He  died  in  the  lunatic  nsylum,  at 
IJtica  (of  which  he  had  been  an  inmate  two  years),  February 
25,  1851,  aged  64. 

Dr.  Samuei,  Guthrie,  of  Sackcts  Harbor,  was  a  practical  che- 
mist of  n^uch  reputation,  and  is  noted  for  being  one  of  the  three 
independent  discoverers  of  chloroform,  which  was  simultaneously 
obtained  by  Soubeiran,  in  France,  and  Liebeg,  in  Germany,  al- 
though its  anaesthetic  properties  were  not  known  till  long  after. 
He  is  snid  to  have  been  the  inventor  and  first  manufacturer  of 
percussion  pills,  which,  with  "caps"  filled  with  an  analagous 
compound,  have  almost  entirely  superseded  the  old  flint  locks  of 
fire  arms.  In  his  experiments  he  nearly  lost  his  life  from  acci- 
dental explosions.    He  died  October  19, 1848,  at  Sackets  Harbor. 

JosKi'H  Hawkins,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  settled  in  Henderson, 
about  18 10,  where  he  continued  to  reside  till  his  death.  He  took 
a  prominent  part  in  the  businessof  this  section  of  the  county,  and 
afrer  the  war  became  somewhat  extensively  engaged  in  the  cora- 
rairce  of  the  lakes.  In  1828,  he  was  elected  to  congress,  Mr. 
Perley  Keyes  being  his  opponent;  and,  while  in  office,  was  in- 
strumental in  piocuring  a  reform  in  the  laws  that  applied  to  the 
navigation  of  the  lakes,  of  which  his  personal  acquaintance  had 
led  hira  to  see  the  necessity.  This  act  was  passed  March  2, 1831, 
which  abolished  custom  house  fees,  and  substituted  salaries; 
placed  British  vessels  on  an  equal  footing  with  American,  as 
related  to  the  amount  of  duties,  and  fixed  the  tariff  of  goods  from 
the  Canadas  at  no  higher  rates  than  were  charged  at  the  colonial 
ports.  The  act  required  the  registry  of  vessels  employed  in  the 
caasting  or  carrying  trade,  and  belonging  in  the  United  States. 
As  the  law  had  previously  existed,  it  had  operated  as  a  premium 
for  small  vessels,  and  a  prohibition  for  large  ones,  and  led  to 
various  modes  of  evasion,  among  which  was  the  building  of  large 
vessels,  and  flooring  up,  so  that  the  measurement,  by  the  custom 
house  rules,  v/ould  be  much  less  than  the  actual  capacity.  Mr. 
Hawkins  held  for  several  years  the  office  of  county  jdge,  and 
adorned  the  society  in  which  he  lived,  by  his  amiable  and  gentle- 
ir.?«nly  deportment.  He  died  in  Henderson,  April  20, 1832,  aged 
50.  !Iis  friends  E.  Camp,  and  E.  G.  Merrick,  have  placed  over 
his  grave  a  tablet,  with  the  following  inscription: 

"  The  navigation  of  our  lakes  was  relieved  from  grievous 

custom  house  fees  by  his  zealous  efforts  as  member  of  congress, 

in  1830." 

Jesse  Hopkins,  a  son  of  Joseph  Hopkins,  was  born  in  Water- 
bury,  Conn.,  in  1766.  His  father  was  a  prominent  citizen,  and 
repeatedly  honored  with  the  public  confidence,  who  for  thirty 
years  held  the  office  of  judge  of  probates,  and  died  while  in  the 


■M 


412 


JeMe  Jfopkini. 


dischnrge  of  his  official  duties.  Jesse  Hopkins  received  a  libe- 
ral education,  and  early  evinced  a  versatility  of  talent  which 
fitted  him  for  any  pursuit  to  which  he  might  apply.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen,  on  the  visit  of  Generals  Washington  and  La  Fayette, 
at  the  reiiidenceof  his  father,  La  Fayette  was  so  pleased  with  the 
youth,  that  he  made  hitu  his  aid  during  a  series  of  military  ope- 
rations in  that  quarter.  His  youth  prevented  him  from  enlisting 
in  the  army,  and  his  love  of  country  from  accepting  the  invita- 
tion of  La  Fayette  to  visit  France,  and  engage  in  a  lucrative  pur- 
suit. He  says  of  himself  in  a  volume  which  he  published  in 
18-28:* 

"  I  was  in  childhood  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution- 
ary war,  and  at  its  close  had  just  arrived  at  that  age  which  enti- 
tled me  to  shoulder  my  musket — an  age  alive  to  all  the  interest- 
ing events  of  the  day.  ik-ing  a  son  of  a  revolutionary  patriot, 
who  was  a  member  of  the  state  legislature,  I  had  an  opportunity 
of  acquiring  considerable  political  information,  for  many  years, 
as  well  as  inhaling  that  spirit  of  patriotism  which  was  charac- 
teristic of  the  times.  *  *  *  The  same  spirit  which  actuated 
our  ancestors,  in  acquiring  the  privileges  we  enjoy,  is  as  essen- 
tial to  their  continuance  as  it  was  to  their  attainment,  therefore 
you(h  of  this  country  can  not  be  too  often  reminded  of  the  hard- 
ships and  trials  of  various  kinds,  which  their  forefathers  endured, 
and  through  which  they  are  now  enjoying  the  richest  temporal 
blessings  Heaven  has  in  store  for  man." 

Mr.  Hopkins  often  wrote  poetry  with  much  taste  and  fluency, 
several  pieces  of  which  still  exist;  but  although  meritorious,  he 
never  allowed  them  to  go  beyond  the  sacred  precincts  of  the 
family  circle.  He  first  engaged  in  manufactures,  among  which 
Avas  that  of  silver-plated  shoe  bu(  kles,  which  soon  came  into 
general  use.  In  1803,  he  married  at  Hartford,  but  his  wife 
dying  soon  after,  he  spent  five  years  in  speculating  in  the  West 
Indies.  After  his  return,  he  married  his  cousin  (a  grand-daughter 
of  Samuel  Hopkins,  D.  D.,  the  celebrated  divine  of  Newport, 
R.  I.),  who  is  still  living  in  Vermont. 

In  1805,  he  was  appointed  an  agent  for  Henderson;  where, 
after  various  success,  and,  as  he  claimed,  ill  usage  from  Mr.  Hen- 
derson, he  was  ultimately  unfortunate.  In  the  settlement  of  that 
town  he  evinced  great  public  spirit,  and  devotion  to  the  settlers, 
and  the  public  generally,  and  contributed  largely  from  his  own 
means  towards  measures  tending  to  the  general  welfare.  Per- 
haps his  greatest  error  arose  from  the  tenacity  with  which  he 
adhered  to  his  federal  creed,  and  opposed  any  military,  or  naval 
operations  in  Henderson  Harbor,  which  would  have  given  that 
place  an  importance   that  it  will  now  scarcely  attain.    This 


*  Patriot's  Manual,  embracing  itirring  and  revolutionaiy  topica. 


"^p*^. 


Ml 


^"^Vi'mt'e 


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ittfkmtk 


rwt  y^^w  *  . .  ^.  a.^^«v»rt<>H  «  \c'riati)ity  of  uUent  whr.-: 
Iiii*^  i«fcv  t-#  •^  vi.iiM  i»  wlkt«h  h«  roicbt  aojiiy.  A;  ihr  Agr 
Id  KfcT^aw*'**,  >k  u  .'  »i(i»» o^  OtforrsiU  Wnflbington  mnI  La  Fayelii. 
«i^  ,.s>r  V  - >u  ^;  .4  ),is  fiither,  l,n  FHyitte  wn»  no  pl«»ft«d  with  tint 
|im#     %^^t  «<te  ktiu  lii^  Rid  during  a  inriv$    "  mUHmv  (i|i«~ 

■01$,''  *  £  >«^  |tM  utt.  Hit  youth  prevKtitrd  bin  '  ota  vtuiftioif 
lb  f  ♦Jipjf  and  kin  hrt  of  country  froru  sticeptinj;  Um  i«vti«o 
\«K«  .'  iL«  rnycite  to  visit  France, Rud  etigai^t;  in  a  iuor>»t(r*>  fn^ 
iA»        H«  8it>a  of  himself  in  a  voiumc   vi  iitch  h«  puUUtii<M  ft* 

*"  I  was  in  <  M!dii)Oi!  at  th«-  «>'mM>fihT»'tnt'r>l  of  lb«  rt'V^^jPwitfc*)*. 
»ry  Mar,  ai>d  <*'.  »is  cIohc  htnf  ifi«t  «rrivf(f  mI  UihI  t^vfi  ^kKaff".    'nM'' 
tied  n.tt  (o  ahooldcr  my   '    '  '<     -•wtt  af«  alive  to  all  thr  M«>    ^ 
in^r  evwnt*  of  thi-  (liiy.     Jiv.  -•     •  -'Jti  rtf  a  levolutionary  ^.••. 
who  was  a  member  of  thv  ^r.i':  H/*»}flr!i.irt',  I  had  an  (u^ttst:  v.. 
of  acquiring  conMidtirnbk-  ):ioHtK«i  h>fo^j»iion,  fo\  in.i<  <> 
as  well  as  itiaaiing  thxt  apini  of  patriuitam  vfUklt  >«:>■*  ^ . 
terisiic  of  thtj  tinu's.    *     •     »     The  same  spirit  whi«;!*  ^.' . 
our  ancoston^  in  acquiring  iht-  privii(»"«s  n'«  erijoy,  h  jk 
tial  to  their  contiuuance  as  it  \va*>  to  thttr  rtttainniMi*.  '■*• 
youth  of  this  country  can  not  be  too  often  rpmind»»d  ol  •<;,, 
^bips  am!  trials  of  various  kinds,  which  their  fori'^svth'jf 
-mnd  throuffh  ^vhinh  they  are  now  enjoying' li*-?  !i-i»o»;T«.  . 
bles^sinsrs  Heaven  has  at  M'>fe  f«f  man.'' 

Mt.  Hnjikf'^^.  cftrw  M"-*^*,  fi-(Vftn  v-hh  x.-, 
aevtral  j»»«  «'T«  <■'  >  A 


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family  circU 
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of  8s«-»i,.-^rl''^.,vi'-   ■     '       J.S  .,  .;  .  ■    ■  *(wit  «|#v* 

Jn  ltl»)JJv,i>t-.»«p.*v'-v-' *  .■  ■  ,  '•■■■- 'i  '^,^ 

after  varJOTis iw^i' ••■       •'    ■..  '  ^*-         ., 

derson,  he  was  uiii.'i-.  '  '  .,1 

town  he  evinced  gtf'i  ,    . 
and  the  public  general!?.  » 

roeans  tpwa«ls  measurts  U'i<:    ,:   :f>  ihi;  >♦••:  r'  ••    « 
hap.s  his  greatest  error  aros«  t:  ^ru      .e  ir*.      -^ 
adhered, to  his  federal  cretfl,  ard  op{H>se<t -:       > 
operations  in  Henderson  Harbor,  vi-hv'h    a 
place  an  iaportanc^  that  it   'fiU  iW>«  !»«,..>.     ..     , 

♦  P»Utel*i  Manual,  «tiM*t*Mng  tiifHag  nuA  revolttt»  -TTtrjr  t^F** 


i: 


-T^Sr*?!?"!; 


rtf 


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h 


OrviUe  Hungerford. 


435 


sacrifice  of  interest  to  principle  was  characteristic  of  the  man. 
He  erected  a  fine  seat  at  the  head  of  the  bay,  commanding  a 
a  prospect  of  unrivaled  beauty;  and  during  all  the  reverses  of  an 
eventful  life  he  was  characterized  by  a  remarkable  ambition,  and 
energy  of  character,  which  never  seemed  daunted  or  lessened, 
even  by  the  infirmities  of  age.  He  died  at  Henderson,  in  the 
71st  year  of  his  age. 

Dyer  Huntington,  the  second  son  of  William  Huntington,  an 
early  and  prominent  citizen  of  Watertown,  was  born  in  Ches- 
hire County,  N.  H.  In  January,  1804.  he  removed  to  Watertown 
with  his  father,  being  then  18  years  of  age.  He  died  in  August, 
1851.  He  was  an  active  and  efficient  member  of  society;  fore- 
most in  measures  of  public  utility,  and  exemplaiy  in  the  varied 
relations  of  life  which  he  sustained. 

Orville  Hungerford  was  born  in  Farmington,  October  2^, 
1790.  He  removed  with  his  father's  family  to  Oneida  Count  , 
and  in  the  spring  of  1804,  to  Watertown.  He  soon  after  com- 
menced a  ilerkship  in  Judge  Foster's  store,  at  Burrville,  and  in 
1807  or  180S  removed  with  him  to  Watertown,  and  afterwards 
became  a  partner  under  the  firm  of  Foster  &  Hungerford.  This 
firm  was  extensively  engaged  in  supplying,  upon  contract,  pro- 
visions to  the  United  States  Army  at  Sackets  Harbor  during  the 
war.  In  1815,  he  commenced  mercantile  business  by  himself, 
and  continued  in  trade  till  1842.  In  1842,  he  was  elected  to 
congress,  and  represented  the  19th  district  in  our  national  le- 
gislature four  years.  At  an  early  period  in  the  history  of  Jeffer- 
son County  Bank,  he  became  a  stockholder,  and  was  concerned 
in  its  management  for  many  years,  as  cashier  and  president.  In 
1847,  he  was  nominated  by  the  democratic  party  for  the  office  of 
comptroller,  but  was  defeated,  the  vote  being  as  follows: 

Jefferson  County.  State. 

For  0.  Hungerford,  4,463.  For  0  Hungerford,  136,027; 

For  Millard  Fillmore,  3,393.      For  Millard  Fillmore,  174,756. 
For  Lewis  Tappan,  489.  For  Lewis  Tappan,  10,408. 

The  result  of  this  election  was  doubtless  produced  by  the  dif- 
ficulties that  at  that  time  distracted  the  democratic  party  in  the 
state. 

In  the  promotion  of  the  rail  road  from  Rome  to  Cape  Vincent, 
Mr.  Hungerford  engaged  with  great  ardor,  laboring  with  a  zeal 
and  energy  that  knew  no  weariness  or  discouragement,  and  the 
citizens  of  Jefferson  County  will  ever  have  reason  to  be  grateful  to 
his  memory  for  the  efficiency  of  his  efforts.  He  held  the  first  office 
of  president  of  the  company  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  April  6,  1851,  after  a  short  but  severe  illness  of  twelve 
days. 


436 


Perky  Keyes. 


His  character  has  thus  been  summed  up  by  the  editor  of  the 
J\'ew  York  Reformer. 

"  As  a  man  of  business  he  was  prompt,  decided,  active,  and 
correct.  His  judgment  was  clear  and  sound,  and  he  possessed 
the  faculty  of  obtaining  for  liis  plans  the  entire  confidence  of  his 
business  associates.  If  in  his  private  affairs  he  was  exact,  he 
was  rigidly  honest.  No  deceit  or  guile  ever  found  utterance, 
but  manful  uprightness,  characterized  all  his  transactions.  As  a 
politician,  he  was  conservative,  shrewd,  and  calculating;  a  man 
of  but  few  words,  but  many  thoughts.  The  democratic  party 
achieved  many  victories  under  his  leadership,  and  were  beaten 
but  seldom.  His  plans  were  carefully  laid  and  vigorously  exe- 
cuted, his  influence  was  exercised  without  effort,  and  he  con- 
trolled without  being  felt.  *  *  *  In  his  private  chfiracter, 
he  was  exemplary,  generous  and  friendly.  In  his  public  bestow- 
ments,  munificent.  Institutions  of  learning  received  liberal  en- 
dowments from  his  generosity." 

While  in  congress,  he  was  appointed  at  the  first  session  of 
his  first  term  on  the  committee  of  Revolutionary  Pensions,  and 
on  Accounts,  and  the  business  tact,  and  ability  which  he  displayed, 
raised  him  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  associates,  and  at  the  next 
session,  he  was  placed  on  that  most  important  of  committees, 
that  of  Ways  and  Means,  where  he  fully  sustained  the  reputation 
he  had  acquired,  that  of  being  a  thorough  business  man.  In  all 
the  domestic  and  social  relations  of  his  'i;"e  his  deportment  was 
highly  exemplary,  and  at  his  death,  meeiings  of  the  citizens  of 
Watertown,  of  directors  of  the  Jefferson  County  Bank,  of  the 
rail  road  company,  and  the  associations  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber were  held,  to  testify  their  sorrow  for  his  death  and  to  extend 
their  sympathies  to  his  bereaved  family. 

Perley  Keyes,  was  born  in  Acworth,  New  Hampshire,  Feb- 
ruary 24,  1774.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  left  the  paternal  roof, 
and  with  his  elder  brother,  Frederick,  repaired  to  Saratoga 
County,  New  York,  and  engaged  in  lumbering  on  the  North 
River.  After  some  time  he  returned  to  New  Hampshire,  was 
married  November  20,  1796,  ami  in  1799  left  Acworth  for  Mont- 
real, from  whence  he  proceeded  to  Kingston,  and  thence  to 
Rutland,  where  he  settled  and  resided  several  years.  In  the  fall 
of  1809,  having  been  appointed  sheriff,  he  removed  to  W^ater- 
town,  where  he  afterwards  lived.  Being  almost  without  the 
advantages  of  early  education,  but  endowed  with  a  native 
strength  of  mind  and  clearness  of  judgment,  he  soon  acquired 
the  confidence  of  the  republican  party,  of  which  he  was  the 
ardent  supporter,  and  held  successively  the  offices  of  magistrate, 
judge  of  the  county  court,  sheriff,  collector  of  customs  at  Sackets 
Harbor;  was  twice  elected  to  the  state  senate,  and  in  1813  ant/ 


i 

■'■i' 

♦ 

"J- 

f'JltSH." 


wm 


k 


flj^vwv  (lor  tb«i  Hutt.i^  ti   Mfif^i     '.•.•«.    v  \'  >  ISuii'ii 


•A-fii 


4       ri 


43a 


h  i 


Krw^Sfw?" 


%si»  jMoiTncil  up  hf  #!«"«<fltor  df  ife« 


Wit' 


<  Ui«  ulating;  a^  m^k 
■'      ;'t  friocratic   ,■■ 
,,\  ;>.  iuul  were  " 


,.    wM  iitear  fln«l  soumf,  .    no*,, 

■:;  i<ti'  his-plans  lUv  entiri       .  ;  ,  •    >  r 
It  ia  his  iiiivate  &tfiii;t<  bt  iSfWMiUi 
.Hi<t.     iNo  deieit  or  gnih  fv?'   jt^uail 

.  *w  tvas  cons'irvative,  sh* 
4*    words,  but.  inatty  'i 
>{  iiiany  victories  nutu 

(*'.  'Vjafduu     His  plaii*  w»ir«  ■•       ■   . 
!q**fi;a,  bU   inrtues*'^*'  wm  «*«r^ft»'^'-<  wtlnnii  eiiort,  and  i* 
baUui  wishcut  w'kfe?  /ei*.     *     *\  *     ^'^  his  private  '^■■ 
^  was  extaiplary,  gener0*a»  f  f^i'^liPii^*      In  his  pubii- 
uientji,  munlHcent.     Iiistii«*4f,«»  #  J%ij(5:i«'<i*g  *tcelvwl  It; 
dawifients  from  his  generos*iy/* 

Wiiile  in  congrewr,  be  -was  »ppo«ii«^  «%'  Jr*i  fern  *"•■ 
his  lirst  term  on  the  euJurahtee  of  ll#v«j>i 
on  Accounts, ;^nd  tin-  ouiiiifii?!  tact,  and  al-.ii .  • 
raised  fiim  high  *«>  tU*-  tjstimatjoa oC  his  as..v      • 
sossioii,  he  was.jtiaced  on  ihat  Pi< 
that  of  Ways  and  Means,  r:' 

he  hud  JW^H>!'- '.    '    '    *  •  . 

the  jJowKitl* 
highly  *-^r  :•    , 

rati  c'jn  *  .    ■ 

Ixw:  •»*'•. 

1^r    •    * 


,*-v  #!j*'jfc--uh  and  to  ^  ■.  ■• 

•  vorth,  New  Uawp.^^w. 
•j  iirtcen  he  left  tV  ««i'.v 

„ ,  ;-.v,--^,  an  tbt-    ■■ 

<r  l^#   i'lampshiic 
married  Novt^Jiiber  *u,  l*ii*>>  y4%;  s^*  fr'^^;vjt-^^4t<'''*«3'"th  Ih*  .^''V:- 
reai,  iVom    •vhtnc.*:   he  p»-{>':«<W'e^  tv  *'f^«ltm»  w«i  tW,* 
Rutlaiid.  where  hr  As?ttled  and  »*ssii!i4  *-H*»:4$i  t^iiir*.     !■<■'  • 
ci'  1S(».9,  having  h«snf*»  ;fppr'<tit*.iS  efet;!3^',  ;*f  ■•??ss^i^?^^  >*-   %r"«5;' 
town,  where   La- .'»it*-Mriardi(   livM:     ^'/*>jg|  .'gfev-.--  •■'^■.  , 


River.     Alter  stntu' 


advantages   ol    cth*   tiHcalUfU.    »;^»t   («;#!'««; 
slrentfth  ot  tnind  nml  ci*«ftt?ics«  %^-  },*^^;,^+**-''jj  .% 
the  confidence  ot'  the  ft- iiu^ti' '^:  x^^'^'-^ii^'-^V-'^r 
ardent  suppgrt»r,  odu  held  *«««'•  •Wii^,V'>  S'i^ -i^ 
jiuuge  01  the  coui.ty  cettrt,  sb***^*   ■,::>«*<«,  >. 


/#:•' 


,^-u;:m^. 


.»? 


\^  : 


;i(- 


^^ 


,'!  •   U 


m 


>i^i 


Colonel  Edmund  Kirhy, 


439 


in  1814  was  a  member  of  the  council  of  appointment.  His 
active  political  course  made  him  obnoxious  to  the  opposite  party, 
who,  from  his  influence  among  his  own,  named  him  the  king; 
but  among  his  political  friends  he  was  warmly  esteemed.  The 
estimate  they  formed  of  his  character,  will  be  seen  in  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  a  letter  from  Silas  Wright,  Jr.,  A.  C  Flagg, 
E.  Croswell  and  William  L.  Marcy,  to  Martin  Van  Buren,  dated 
Albany,  March  15,  1830,  recommending  liim  for  the  office  of 
Governor  of  Wisconsin  Territory,  then  about  to  be  erected: 

"  The  political  activity  and  firiiinesB  of  Judge  Keyes,  for  n  long  series 
of  years,  and  indeed  during  his  whole  life  of  policioul  action,  has  been 
only  equaled  by  the  remarkable  clearness  and  torce  of  his  native  mind. 
In  this  state,  there  are  few  men  whose  services  fur  his  friends  in  our 
heated  and  frequent  conflicts,  are  to  be  remembered  with  more  f;ratiindo 
or  less  of  regret  than  his.  We  are  fully  sensible  that  Uy  his  undeviatiiig 
attachment  to  his  party  and  his  friends,  he  has  incurred  to  a  marked  de- 
gree the  hostility  of  our  political  enemies,  and  that  all  his  private  as  well 
ns  public  acts  have  been  the  subject  of  scrutiny  as  persecuting  as  it  has 
been  unprincipled.  But  the  best  evidence  which  could  be  offered  in 
his  favor,  is  the  fact,  that  during  and  in  the  midst  of  the  most  bitter  of 
his  political  persecutions,  he  has  been  repeatedly  returned  to  our  legisla- 
ture, and  twice  to  the  highest  branch  of  it,  and  from  a  district  where  the 
best  republican  candidates  had  often  failed  of  their  election.  *  *  We 
do  not  urge  him  as  a  man  learned  in  books,  but  when  we  say  what  your 
own  observation  has  often  proved  to  you,  that  he  has  never  been  a 
member  of  our  legislature  without  gaining  an  influence  equal  to  that  of 
any  fellow  member,  and  that  he  has  at  the  expiration  of  every  term  lefl 
that  body  with  a  public  character  for  talents  and  sagacity  perceptibly 
rai-ied,  and  with  a  hold  upon  the  feelings  of  his  political  friends  decided- 
ly strengthened,  we  can  not  fear  accusations  of  want  of  capacity  for  the 
ofRce  we  ask  for  him.  We  know  him  to  be  a  plain,  unassuming  farmer, 
with  a  mere  country  education.  But  when  with  these  limited  advanta- 
ges, he  has  proved  himself  more  than  equal  to  his  associates  in  public 
life,  the  inference  would  seem  to  follow,  that  he  can  not  be  so  profoundly 
ignornnt  op  to  disgrace  those  who  repose  confidence  in  him.  He  is  in 
truth  a  plain,  unlearned  man,  but  with  a  sound,  strong  mind,  and  in  the 
practical  exercise  of  an  unusual  share  of  common  sense.  These  are 
qualificationR  without  which  learning  is  of  little  use,  and  with  which  a 
moderate  share  of  learning  may  make  a  very  respectable  and  a  very  use- 
ful man," 

An  apopletic  stroke  prevented  his  applying  for  this  office. 
He  died  at  Wa^ertown,  May  13,  1834. 

'ldmund  Ktasv  was  a  son  of  Ephraim  Kirby,  an  officer  in  the 
Utiolution,  &  .member  of  the  order  of  Cincinnati,  and  afterwards 
Judge  of  the  Sl^  eme  Court  of  Connecticut.  He  was  born  at 
Litchfield,  Conn.,  April  IS  1794,  and  entered  the  army  in 
1812  as  lieutenant,  andservr.:  during  the  war  upon  the  northern 
and  western  frontiers.  From  1815  to  1820,  he  was  stationed  at 
Detroit,  and  in  the  latter  year  he  joined  Major  General  Brown 
at  lirownville,  as  an  aid-de-camp.    From  1821  to  1823,  he  dis- 


440 


Colonel  Edmund  Kirby. 


charged  the  duties  of  adjutant  general  at  Washington,  and  in 
1S24,  was  appointed  to  the  pay  department,  and  again  loolc  post 
at  Brownville.  From  1832  to  1640,  he  was  engaged  in  the 
Black  Hawk,  Creek  and  Seminole  wars:  in  which  he  was  actively 
employed,  as  well  in  the  fuUiilmentot'his  duty,  as  the  exercise  of 
humanity  to  the  sick  and  wounded,  for  whom  he  voluntarily  en- 
countered many  dangers.  During  the  Mexican  War,  he  was 
chief  of  the  pay  department,  and  disbursed  many  millionsof  dol- 
lars. A  volunteer  aid  to  General  Taylor  at  the  storming  of 
Monterey,  and  in  like  capacity  to  General  Scott  at  Vera  Cruz, 
Cerro  Gordo,  Contreras,  Cherubuseo,  Chepultepec  and  the  Mex- 
ican Capital,  he  was  ever  distinguished  for  courage,  bravery, 
and  devotion  to  his  country's  cause. 

Returning  with  health  impaired,  from  hardships  of  a  war  in  a 
tropical  climate,  he  was  received  by  the  citizens  of  Jeflerson 
County  with  demonstrations  of  regard,  as  sincere  as  they  were 
deserved,  but  the  seeds  of  disease  had  been  too  deeply  planted  in 
his  constitution,  and  he  died  at  Avon  Springs,  New  York,  whither 
he  had  resorted  lor  relief,  on  the  20th  of  August,  1849.  His 
remains  were  brought  back  to  Brownville  and  interred  in  the 
village  cemetery  with  military  honors,  and  a  plain  but  durable 
shaft  cf  Quincy  granite,  has  been  placed  to  his  memory.  It  is 
about  eight  feet  high,  and  bears  the  following  inscription: 

West  Side — *^Col.  Edmund  Kirby ,  Born  in  Litchfield,  Conn., 
April  18,  1846,  died  at  Avon  Springs,  JV.  Y.,  of  disease  con' 
traded  during  the  Mexican  War." 

North  Stoe— "  War  of  1812,  Black  Hawk  War." 

South  Side — **  Creek  War,  Mexican  War." 

In  the  various  relations  of  private  life,  Col.  Kirby  evinced  those 
traits  that  elevate  and  adorn  the  human  character,  and  the  citizens 
of  Jefferson  County,  will  long  remember  with  gratitude  the  aid 
and  encouragement  which  they  received  from  him  in  promoting 
an  interest  in  agriculture,  manufactures,  and  internal  improve- 
ments, to  which  he  was  zealously  devoted  during  many  years  of 
residence  among  them.  The  Agricultural  Society  received  his 
cordial  support,  and  he  was  oiieof  the  founders  and  an  extensive 
owner  of  the  manufacturing  village  of  Dexter.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Major  General  Brown,  and  subsequently  purchased 
his  family  estate  in  the  village  of  Brownville,  which  is  still 
owned  by  his  heirs. 

The  executive  committee  of  the  Agricultural  Society  have  re- 
corded the  following  tribute  to  his  memory.* 

"  It  is  with  feelings  of  deep  regret  and  sorrow  that  we  drop 
any  names  from  our  roll  of  brotherhood.  One  however  has  fallen 
from  our  midst  the  present  season.     Col.  Edmuxu  KriBY  is  one 

*Ti«Bwotion8  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society,  1848,  p  j07. 


J.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont. 


441 


of  those  honored  names  that  should  not  be  forgotten.  In  1843 
he  was  elected  president  of  this  society,  and  ever  felt  a  deep  in- 
terest in  its  advancement.  Uis  private  virtues  are  written  in 
our  hearts;  his  public  deeds  will  bear  the  scrutiny  of  all  who 
shall  peruse  the  pages  of  their  country's  history.  We  are  justly 
proud  of  him  as  a  member  of  this  iralernity,  as  our  countiymati, 
and  as  a  member  of  our  community.  He  was  one  of  us,  and  no 
interest  of  ours  was  of  small  moment  to  his  benevolent  heart.  i\s 
regards  our  present  prosperity,  like  the  patriach  of  old,  he  desirt  d 
to  see  our  day;  he  saw  it  and  was  glad.  He  has  fallen  lull 
of  honors,  and  lamented  especially  by  those  who  shaied  the  ho- 
nor of  his  acquaintance  and  iriendship.  And  fellow  citizens 
when  we  have  labored  long  and  faithtully  tor  the  advancement 
of  the  interests  of  our  countiy,  our  common  country,  may  we  die 
as  he  died — at  peace  with  GotI  and  all  the  world." 

James  Donatien  Le  Ray  De  Chaumont  was  born  November 
13,  1760,  at  Chaumont,  on  the  Loire,  between  Blois  and  Tours. 
He  was  educated  partly  in  his  family  by  a  preceptress,  and  partly 
at  the  celebrated  college  of  Juilly,  near  Paris.  When  he  lett 
this,  he  found  himself  in  the  circles  of  Paris,  and  of  the  court, 
which  the  birth,  and  oiBcial  places  of  his  father  gave  him  a  right 
to  enter.  He  was  seduced  by  neither;  and  his  views  wire  eaily 
bent  towards  serious  subjects,  by  \^e  coursewhich  his  father  pur- 
sued with  regard  to  American  afliairs.  The  commissioners  S'nt 
by  the  united  colonies,  couhl  not  be  received  openly  by  theFrer ,  i' 
Court.  M.  de  Chaumont,  Sen.,  espousing  warmly  the  cause  of 
American  Independence,  determined  to  abandon  public  lite  (al- 
though at  that  moment  his  friend  and  neighbor  in  the  country, 
the  Due  de  Choiseul,offeie(l  him  a  seat  in  the  ministry  which  he 
was  about  forming),  in  order,  as  a  private  individual,  to  serve  as 
intermediary  between  the  government  antl  the  commissioners.  He 
lent  to  them  a  house  situated  in  his  paik  at  Passy,  and  Franklin 
particularly  occupied  it  several  years.  From  that  house  were  writ- 
ten all  his  letters  dated  Passy.  This  created  a  great  and  agreeable 
intimacy  between  the  American  Philosopher  and  M.  ^'  '  '  .'- 
mont's  family.  Young  M.  de  C.  improved  this  to  learn  j.iigji&h 
and  acquaint  himself  with  American  affairs.  His  father  gave 
more  substantial  aid  to  the  Americans.  He  sent  a  cargo  of 
powder  to  Boston  to  the  care  of  the  French  consul  general,  Mr. 
Kolker,  to  whom  he  wrote  to  claim  nothing,  if  the  Americans 
were  not  successful.  He  afterwards  sent  large  equipments  to 
La  Fayette's  army,  and  in  various  ways  consecrated  a  i^reat  part 
■y'  n  s  large  fortune  to  the  American  cause.  He  equii)ped  ships 
I  join  Paul  Jones'  squadron,  and  was  appointed  by  the  French 
and  American  Governments  to  superintend  the  equipment  and 
management  of  the  combined  fleet.    His  son  went  with  him  to 


I' 


)l 


mm 


1%*! 


442 


J.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont. 


L'Oricnt  tn  that  business,  and  seconded  him  throughout  the  ex- 
pedition. 

But  thi  ■  ■  t^'i  tuUances  required  the  settlement  of  accounts, 
whicli  \hi\  (liMc  u'li  currencies  of  the  states,  the  depreciation  of 
the  ]/tij)er  uiouey,  &c..  rendered  dithcult  and  complicated.  M. 
de  Cliiiumont,  then  (17H5)  only  25  years  of  age,  saw  that  this 
business  required  personal  attention,  lie  obtained,  with  great  diffi- 
culty, from  hislather,  leave  to  go  to  America.  He  tore  himself  from 
the  seductions  of  the  most  elccf""*  court  of  Europe,  and  even 
from  the  prospect  of  a  I.  •  i!  iuiji.  luarriagt ,  .\nd  sailed  for  America. 
Franklin,  whose  friendship  and  esteem  he  had  gained,  in  a  high 
degre»>,  gave  him  warm  letters.  All  his  energy,  and  early-dis- 
played talents,  however,  could  not  master  so  many  impediments. 
Year  after  year,  he  was  detained  by  new  dilhculties.  Franklin 
helj)ed  him  with  all  his  power.  It  was  not,  however,  until  1790 
that  he  could  obtain  a  settlement,  and  he  arrived  in  France  just 
in  time  to  save  his  father  from  the  most  painful  consequences  of 
these  long  delays. 

During  this  stay  in  America,  M.  de  Chaumont  became  ac- 
q";iinted  with  the  first  men  there,  and  particularly  with  two,  who 
had  a  great  influence  upon  his  subsequent  course.  One  was 
Count  de  La  Forest,  consul  general  of  France;  the  oti  'T,  Gouver- 
neur  Morris.  They  both  s[)()ke  to  him  with  great  wiu-mth  of  the 
great  speculations,  which  might  be  made,  in  wild  lands,  in  the 
state  of  New  York.  He  bought,  with  the  former,  a  small  tract 
in  Otsego  County,  where  he  built  the  first  saw  mill,  and  where 
he  sent,  as  his  agent,  the  cele^  ated  Judge  Cooper,  father  of  the 
great  writer.  With  Gouvernea/  Morris  he  made  large  purchases 
in  the  state  of  New  York.  In  1790,  having  lately  married  a 
daughter  of  Charles  Coxe,  Esq.,  of  New  Jersey,  he  returned  to 
France  with  his  wife.  He  !  id  previously  been  naturalized.  After 
having  L  j'u  most  painfull}  ngaged  in  endeavoring  to  arrange  the 
difficulties  in  which  his  faiiier  had  been  drawn,  he  was  appointed 
to  go  to  Algiers,*  to  negotiate  a  treat)  of  peace  and  commerce 
with  the  dfV)  nut  having  karned  in  Sw  tzerland,  that  the  life  of 
his  father  was  threatened,  he  returned,  post  haste,  to  Paris.  He 
proceeded  without  stopping  to  the  sitting  of  the  committee,  and 
there,  by  his  firmness,  and  e.  by  a  bold  threat  to  tne  president, 
he  obtained  on  the  xiv  it  tht  liberty  of  his  father,  whom  they 
had  put  in  jail  as  ;.  '  li'.  i',  although  he  had  never  quitted 
his  chateau. 

In  1799,  M.  de  Chaumont  accompanied  his  wife  to  Hamburgh, 
who  returned  to  America,  on  account  of  her  health,  with  her 
two  youngest  children,  in  company  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  late 


*  Spark's  Life  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  ii,  402. 
February  22,  1794. 


His  instructions  were  dated 


•v*- 


/^yP/y/r^^<^nftt  i^/^ 


y:. 


""■'■'■•"  iiitin^,,^^^ 


) 


.;< 


I'll 


ih 


t     :>\ 


M  it 


i<':.l,'1 


I 


I 


'*:  I  /  i 


'i\ 


\^:^\ 


m 


i  i'(H- 


-aia. 


m% 


442 


J.  JjC  Hay  dv  Chaumont. 

>n^  wptamiM  htm  U>wi<i|i!jtivty»» 

.  ,    1.  n«<f  tlirtii  •  "TiplictiTt 

!  >!.»)  only  :25  ¥«•«"»  ♦>*  •Sjc,  ^aw  d^ 
.*'»ji.<l  attention.  llt'Cui      t'tJ,  wi(hflrr#«i 
:  I ',  leave  to  go  to  A.iW'  ■  ,  Htftornhjgo** 
./  tbi!  inoit  flojjniii  .  -  .  ' 


**» 


i!  gitineil     f 


i«r    ■> 


I.;  . 


>    <vi?<|  in  i 


«     vcl  1)1*  n  brilliniit.  innr 
!.,*c  triend'hi'i  •"••'  -■'-- 
e  hiiii  w:»  • . 
itlcritK,  ho'iv  V 
{t»;r  ye«!',  Kf  .. 
l^jtoi^i  hiui  uith  nil  It) 
tiNK  he  couid  obtoin  a  >       - 
in  time  to  ;av  •  bis  father  iiuu. 
those  lung  ticlays. 

During  this  star  in  /\uu'm  *, 
quaintcd  with  Mh-  <ti>f  mvn  '"^ 

bad  a  great' influence  upon     i        .        , 

Oount  (If  La  Furr>8t,  coftMi  gpiliMii) ot  I'fMfie;  ih(!  <^' 
neur  Morri<( 

gr«at  sjit.'<  "i'"'    '      ^     f<   •  n);ht  b»»  made,   »w  ■.= 
'>  <    ^  !^ht,  with  thv  fr'-- 

u;i(  ■  .milt  \\si'     -i  ■' 


r- 


>^'  .aiont  ' 

i:?  paiUia.iarly  wi*' 
IttwMj^dt  courw- 

I'V  M.^f  »j  »Vr  to  him  withf.'r  :i« 


i :  Utwv 

? 

I 

d 
I 


\i 


ti 

his  tathc*   '- 

j.^oceedtd  (."^  '■ 
there,  by  iii.s  ti   •.  .. 
he  obfaitJMl  <)B  lb«  -■ 
hud  put  in  jail  fu"?   k.-. 
his  chateau. 

In  1790,  M,  a*  C'h4u 
who  returqctl  ♦'     ' 
two  youngest  t( 


♦■.»r 


"  >,'  prr- 
;.    Whoi: 


f  \u*  n»'ver  i\- 

vif'cto  HarQl»' 
bfcaith,   w/' 

ru;T  Morri- 


I  '1 


^V?U//a(^^^-^ 


■  i'  I 


>;'i '« 


^^'i|:| 


,h] 


'  f 


''i-  I 


«^|^i  lit 

**1   !     1 


l.t 


'n 


:^' 


"YV, 


■r- 


'S 


ambas'jadoi 
refused  the 
mont,  in  on 
appointed  I 
several  yea 
of  tiie  nutu 

In  1S02, 
company  w 
upon  his  lai 
by  the  agen 
self  afterwa 
May,  1807, 
in  the  mana 
a  French  do 
had  engage( 
had  confide( 
very  difficul 
from  the  cc 
persons  resi 
himself,  how 
and  chose  a 

M.  de  Ch 
the  house  bii 
and  with  th( 
he  spent  the 
when  he  left 
son  to  mana 
the  chancelh 
of  his  lands, 
various  facto 
tract  of  land 
acquainted; 
Marshal  Gro 
misfortune  o 
poor,  and  ha( 
attentions  of 

In  1812,  tl 
and  De  Witt 
M.  Le  Ray  d 
millions  of  d 
Ray  went  to 
Uni;ed  States 
then  ssnt,  to 
Launay,  who 
Ray,  and  aisc 
engineer,  W( 


/.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont. 


445 


ambas'iador.  The  cure  of  Chaumont  was  of  the  party;  he  had 
refused  the  oath  prescibed  by  the  revolutionists,  and  M.  de  Chau- 
mont, in  order  to  save  him,  and  to  provide  for  his  support,  had 
appointed  him  to  an  agency  in  America.  He  remained  there 
several  years,  and  became  the  object  of  the  veneration  and  love 
of  the  numerous  persons  with  whom  he  had  relations. 

In  1S02,  M.  de  Chaumont  sailed  from  Havre,  for  America,  in 
company  with  William  Short,  late  minister  to  France.  He  went 
upon  his  lands  in  Jefferson  County,  where  settlements  were  begun 
by  the  agency  of  Jacob  Brown,  who  so  highly  distinguished  him- 
self afterwards.  He  returned  in  1804,  and  left  France  again  in 
May,  1807,  with  his  oldest  son,  who,  from  that  time,  assisted  him 
in  the  management  of  his  business.  He  had,  the  year  before,  sent 
a  French  doctor,  of  considerable  ability  and  experience,  whom  he 
had  engaged,  for  several  years,  to  reside  with  him  on  his  lands,  and 
had  confided  to  him  the  choice  of  the  particular  spot.  This  was 
very  difficult  and  delicate,  from  the  large  range  open  to  him,  and 
from  the  conflicting  interests  and  interference  of  the  different 
persons  residing  on  various  parts  of  the  tract.  He  acquitted 
himself,  however,  of  this  trust  with  wonderful  foresight  and  skill, 
and  chose  a  retired  spot  in  the  town  of  Le  Ray. 

M.  de  Chaumont  went,  in  1808,  to  make  a  flnal  settlement  in 
the  house  built  by  the  doctor,  and  entered  it  before  it  was  finished, 
and  with  the  logs  of  the  clearing  yet  burning  at  his  door.  There 
he  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  time  till  the  spring  of  1810, 
when  he  left  for  France  with  his  family,  leaving  only  his  oldest 
son  to  manage  his  affairs  with  an  agent.  Moss  Kent,  brother  of 
the  chancellor.  In  France  he  busied  himself  with  the  settlement 
of  his  lands.  He  sent  French  gentlemen  of  talents,  to  establish 
various  factories.  The  events  of  1815  caused  him  to  sell  a  large 
tract  of  land  to  Joseph  Buonaparte,  with  whom  he  had  long  been 
acqua inted ;  and  smaller  ones  to  Count  Real,  the  due  de  Vincence 
Marshal  Grouchy,  &c.  During  his  stay  in  France,  he  had  the 
misfortune  of  losing  his  wife,  whose  health  had  always  been 
poor,  and  had  been  kept  up  only  by  the  indefatigable  care  and 
attentions  of  M.  de  Chaumont. 

In  1812,  the  board  of  internal  navigation — Gouverneur  Morris 
and  De  Witt  Clinton,  president  and  vice  president — appointed 
M.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont,  to  negotiate  in  Europe  a  loan  of  six 
millions  of  dollars,  for  the  contemplated  Erie  Canal.  Mr.  Le 
Ray  went  to  Switzerland,  where  the  declaration  of  war  by  the 
United  States,  against  England,  deterred  the  capitalists.  He 
then  sent,  to  feel  the  Belgian  bankers,  his  friend  Mr.  J.  B.  de 
Launay,  whom  the  commissioners  had  sent  out  to  assist  Mr.  Le 
Ray,  and  also  to  procure  in  England  the  services  of  the  eminent 
engineer,  Weston.    The  report  having  been  favorable,  Mr.  Le 


■:i.  i 


446 


J'  he  Ray  de  Chaumont. 


Ray  went  to  Belgium.  The  hopes  of  peace,  however,  were 
vanishing.  The  letilection  of  Mr.  Madison  made  the  continuance 
of  the  war  certain,  ami  the  bankers  gave  a  definitive  refusal. 

In  1816,  he  married  his  daughter  to  a  French  gentleman  of 
great  distinction,  the  Marquis  de  Gouvello;  and  they  both  came 
with  him  to  America,  where  they  spent  a  year,  and  returned  to 
Fr,"nce.  M.  de  Chaumont  now  resided  mostly  on  his  lands, 
spending  a  part  of  the  year  in  New  Yoik.  He  went  on  with  in- 
creased force  with  the  settlement  of  his  lands  and  the  improve- 
ment of  the  country,  building  saw  mills,  making  roads,  carrying 
on  his  iron  works,  &.c. 

In  1832,  M.  de  Chaumont  returned  to  France,  leaving  to  settle 
his  business,  his  son,  who  joined  him  next  year.  He  made  a  last 
voyage  to  America  in  1836,  spending  the  summer  tliere,  and 
returned  to  France,  where  he  was  called  by  his  daughter  settled 
there,  and  by  two  sisters  who  had  no  children.  Surrounded  and 
cherished  by  his  family,  he  spent  his  tinie  nartly  in  Paris,  partly 
in  the  country  or  in  travehng,  his  minds'.il'  bent  towards  Ameri- 
ca, and  seizing  every  opportunity  of  being  useful  to  his  adopted 
country.  At  the  age  of  SO,  full  of  health  and  vigor,  his  mind 
unimpaired,  he  was  suddenly  taken  with  ar.  inflammation  on 
the  chest,  which  caused  his  death  in  five  days — December  31, 
1840. 

M.  Le  Ray  de  Chaumont  had  a  strong  mind,  a  sound  judg- 
ment, great  penetration  of  men  and  things,  a  warm  and  aiftc- 
tionate  heart,  a  noble  soul:  he  was  guided  through  life  by  those 
high  and  chivalrous  feelings  of  integrity,  which  were  so  shrewd- 
ly discovered  in  him  by  Robert  Morris,  when,  at  the  age  of  "25, 
he  was  chosen  by  him  as  um|)ite  between  himself  and  M.  de 
Chaumont,  Sen.,  in  a  contested  business.  He  never  meddled 
actively  in  politics,  which,  added  to  the  other  traits  of  his  cha- 
racter, made  him  respected  and  beloved  by  men  of  all  parties, 
both  in  France  and  in  America.  He  received  warm  proofs  of  these 
feelings  at  various  limes,  and  particularly  from  the  citizens  of 
Jclffrson  County,  during  the  last  years  of  his  stay  among  tl.em. 
The  counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis  owe  much  of  their  prosper. '♦^y 
to  his  liberal  and  enlightened  management. 

He  greatly  improved  the  breed  of  sheep,  by  bringing  Merinos 
from  his  flock  in  France,  which  was  picked  in  the  celebrated 
shef  p  fold  of  Rambouillet,  where  the  original  Spanish  breed  had 
been  greatly  meliorated. 

He  also  paid  great  attention  to  improving  the  breed  of  horses, 
atitl  labored  to  diff'use  a  taste  for  the  rearing  of  ornamental 
pliuts,  tn  promote  the  culture  of  the  vine  in  gardens,  and  of 
li.^mp  and  the  mulberry.  The  care  which  he  bestowed  in  the  se- 
lection and  adorning  of  his  villa  at  Le  Raysville,  which  for  many 


Hart  Massey. 


447 


years  was  the  seat  of  a  refined  hospitality  bespeaking  the  afflu- 
ent and  accomplished  French  gentleman,  prove  him  to  have 
possessed  on  these  matters  a  judicious  and  correct  taste.  His 
household,  including  agents,  clerks,  surveyors,  and  employees, 
formed  of  itself  a  small  community. 

He  will  long  be  gratefully  remembered  by  the  citizens  of  Jef- 
ferson county,  for  his  public  spirited  improvements,  his  dignified 
and  courteous  manner,  and  the  sympathy  he  never  failed  to  ex- 
press in  whatever  concerned  the  public  welfare. 

Hart  Massey,  the  third  son  of  Deacon  Jonathan  Massey,  and 
one  of  a  family  of  eight  sons  and  three  daughters,  was  born  in 
Salem,  N.  H.,  December  5,  1771.  In  1792,  he  removed  with  his 
father's  family  to  Windsor,  Vt.,  and  in  1795  married  and  settled 
in  a  new  town  called  Saltash,  now  Lyme,  an  elevated  and  sterile 
forest,  from  whence,  in  1800,  he  emigrated  to  Watertown,  where 
he  purchased  ninety  acres  of  land  fronting  on  Washington  street, 
and  to  which  he  soon  added  another  one  hundred  acres  adjoin- 
ing, and  on  the  ground  of  the  present  railroad  depot.  His  first 
dwelling  stood  on  the  site  of  the  Arcade,  and  at  an  early  day  he 
sold,  in  lots,  the  part  of  his  land  Irotitingon  Washington  street. 
The  first  religious  meetings  in  the  village  were  held  at  his  house, 
on  the  Sabbath  next  after  the  arrival  of  his  family,  in  March, 
ISOl.  On  the  13th  of  July,  1808,  he  was  appointed  colonel 
and  inspector,  having  previously  held  the  office  ot  quarter  mas- 
ter in  Colonel  Abijah  Putnam's  regiment,  and  adjutant  to  Colo- 
nel Gurshon  Tuttle.  He  held  the  office  of  collector  of  the  port 
and  district  of  Sackets  Harbor,  during  the  embargo  and  non- 
intercourse  period,  and  the  war,  when  the  whole  frontier  of  the 
country  was  to  be  watched,  and  in  the  exercise  of  this  trust  was 
subjected  to  peculiar  trials  and  diffictillies,  from  the  opposition  of 
those,  who,  Irorn  the  violence  of  party  spirit,  deemed  it  merito- 
rious to  evade  the  laws,  and  embarrass  Ihe  operations  of  govern- 
ment, in  the  prosecution  of  measures  to  which  they  were  op- 
posed.* 

At  the  close  of  his  services  as  collector,  he  retired  to  private 
life,  but  alA'ays  evinced  a  lively  interest  in  whatever  tended  to 
the  improvement  of  the  town  and  county,  and  was  particularly 
active  and  useful  in  founding  and  supporting  the  county  Agri- 
cultural Society,  of  which  he  was  for  several  years  the  president. 
In  educational  and  religious  matters,  he  was  also  an  efficient 
actor.  On  several  occasions  he  was  appointed  to  minor  county 
offices,  and  in  1820,  was  made  a  couniy  judge.  In  these  various 
capacities,  he  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  public,  and 
proved   himself  the   possessor  of  a  sound,  discriminating  and 


*The  official  papers  of  Judge  Massey  have  beei 
State  Library,  at  Albany. 


bound,  and  placed  in  the 


,1  ,f: 

:■;  I;: 


.ml 


1^ 


,.^ii^ 


m 


'i-''i: 


448 


Hezekidh  B.  Pierrepont. 


vigorous  mind.  His  death  occurred  near  the  close  of  March, 
1853.  He  was  temperate  ami  regular  in  his  habits,  and  in  the 
observance  of  religous  duties,  and  till  the  day  of  his  death  main- 
tained a  patriarchal  supervision  of  his  family  of  nine  children. 

John  Paddock,  an  elder  brother  of  Loveiand  Paddock,  Esq., 
the  well  known  banker  of  Watertown,  settled  in  that  place  in 
8105,  as  a  merchant,  in  company  with  William  Smith,  still  living. 
Theirs,  was  the  pioneer  mercantile  enterprise  in  the  village, 
and  much  the  most  extensive  that  had  then  been  undertaken  in  the 
county.  In  18 10,  he  removed  to  Brownville,  and  engaged  largely 
in  trade,  with  several  partners,  and  during  two  years  of  the  war 
was  sheriff.  Upon  the  establishment  of  a  bank,  he  labored 
strenously  in  favor  of  its  location  at  Brownville,  but  failing  in 
this,  concurred  in  the  selection  of  Adams  as  its  seat.  He  died  in 
December,  1816,  at  Brownville. 

Hezekiah  Bekrs  Pierrepont,  who  was  largely  concerned  in 
the  early  land  sales  of  Macom.b's  Purchase,  and  an  extensive 
proprietor  in  this  county,  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Connecticut, 
November  3,  1768,  and  was  a  descendant  ol  the  Rev.  James 
Pierrepont,  the  first  settled  minister  in  that  colony.  The  town 
plat,  apportioned  to  his  ancestor  at  the  first  settlement  of  the 
place,  has  been  retained  and  occupied  by  the  family  ever  since. 
Being  ot  Norman  descent,  his  name  is  French. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  commenced  his  studies  with  a  view 
to  a  profession,  but,  being  of  an  active  and  business  turn  of  mind, 
he  left  Yale  College  before  graduating,  and  entered  the  oHice  of 
his  uncle,  Isaac  Beers,  Esq.,  and  in  1790  went  to  New  York, 
where,  after  spending  a  few  months  in  the  custom  house,  he 
associated  himself  with  Messrs,  Watson  &  Greenleaf,  and  as 
their  agent  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  success  attended  his 
business.  In  1793,  he  entered  into  partnership  with  William 
Leffinwell,  and  engaged  in  European  trade,  in  the  pursuit  of 
which  he  went  to  France.  The  restrictions  '.ipon  trade  and  the 
liability  to  seizure,  consequent  upon  the  war  between  France 
and  England,  led  to  his  abandonment  of  trade  with  France,  and 
to  his  embarking  in  that  with  India  and  China,  which  countries 
he  visited  in  his  own  ship,  named  The  Confederacy.  On  his 
return  from  India,  his  ship  was  boarded  by  a  French  privateer, 
taken  possession  of,  and  ci  rrled  to  France,  wherp  she  was  con- 
demned and  sold,  contrary  to  our  treaty  stipulations  and  the  laws 
of  nations.  Our  government,  in  its  treaty  with  France,  assumed 
this  claim  and  many  similar  ones,  known  as  Claims  for  French 
spoliations,  pr'^r  to  1800,  for  which  satisfaction  has  never  yet 
been  given,  though  congress  has  been  appealed  to,  during  fifty 
years,  and  has  admitted  their  justice,  by  twenty-one  reports  in 
their  favor.     While  in  Paris,  Mr.  Pierrepont  was  a  witness  of  the 


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Hezekiah  B.  Pierrepont. 

::X  sione   of  March. 
^  #;»V  t;^  bis  dtatl:  RiMijw 

"♦♦it^iroi'  Watertowfr    at^^^jf^A  in  that  placo  iy 


,rS;:v-'>^( 


.')r!,r<lill  liviniif 
<it  the  vilJagf 

(*  ®«*4«''\«ijf«'n  in  ifc* 
SH?' »'>*Sii|ftaft>(i  larger 
f   vflrtrx  c:J  the  \sw 
■5jw.^,  he  Jabri>«^y 
•  ii^\  ijrtjt  faiJiiiiT  ■  t 


-^.«Whv  'Vk'i  ■■!;»!!,  «i&vj},      lie  Jifeti  ,o 


■v.    ^>;*»  ij^    jMonc'or   tin.*    : 

■.4if4'*«  »^iiMf  p<?«texte{i<!iv<' 

.^.      If!  1810,  hf:ro»ri  '^ 

i^?^^^,  with  several  j»i  ;■ 

A'Jttfitf.      Upon  tts«; 
-*?-*• 't^»**f<!y  in  fuvnt  «*|  hj-    • 
<'Jj.J*,  rnnc'urr«*4  in  ?1w  t+i*- 

the  early   lan'l   *i*ltr*  a<  ^i*"'s*^i?vV  l^stvi^i^'^-if,  sj.;i  an  oxte-*- 
proprietor  in  this  fTfiwv^ji  *4v  ^Wv-©  .^-  >p^  ^i■^^v^■n,  (''onue4  '•■• 
November  3,    17G8.   *m4  «vw?  f;  iJ^Sf,  v.,;,;,  ,«i  .ij  jht' R<-'v,  I:  . 
Picrrt'pont,  liip  first.  f»rffW  ;iuu»H(tv-  .<»  rfeftt  f.-^cny.     '^'" 
plaf,  appostionw  to  H«*  y tivjfstoj   xA  '.},"    .«•»*.  N^rMlfc-nntf/ 
place,  has  b*ie«  ^'^!;t'^«S   -iiwl  iyfyMf^.A  i?v  r^>'*<'  tftii)«lv  <>.<*!■ 
ik-intr  ol  N'<ipm--ita  ir^ctt^j?:  fert-  nauit   is  >  s *?>:;" {n 

tc>  a  pmression.f  !;;&.i';.  ■'.'r\iif  ■*!'  nn  activ*  •»- 
f.<'  ''"ft  Yiil*'  r"'s*S«!^-   'Hiitr*  _r»Ya<{uatin'|,  r..^'-:^ 

^Ji*'  v«jnk\  hh)^-:   tesfct*,  %4,^  ami  *?:'''"-■'' 

V'V,,^  >    •■'/    ■,    ■  .        -''    '■:.  'if   rest  rii. '*n-^- V  •■.•.■■u 


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to  fi>*  ''■'-••v  ■•■'■■>     -.i 
he   vi-''*-  '■•'  • 
retuif.  'V'-''         T  ; 
tak'.'n  p'!v> .'  V 
dernnei!  ;.  f.     -i 
of  nations       •  *  • 
this  rlaiir:  .(?!■:  ;»• 

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v..      t^i!      ■■      ; 

.  ■  .u  .-v;f.  in  «»" 
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their  favor.     While  in  Pans,  Mr.  rierrepum  wua  a  «.i»^v 


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Auguttut  Sachet. 


451 


violent  excesses  of  the  French  Revolution.  He  subsequently 
spent  two  years  in  Enf 'n  ntl,  and  traveled  on  the  continent.  After 
an  absence  of  seven  y.  vj,  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  married 
Anna  Maria,  daughter  of  William  Constable.  He  the  same  year 
retired  from  commerce,  and  purchased  his  estate  on  Brooklyn 
Heights,  at  a  time  when  Brooklyn  was  a  small  village,  and  con- 
tained but  twenty-six  freeholders.  Here  he  established  a  factory 
of  gin.  which  was  attended  with  great  success,  and  the  article  he 
manufactured  attained  a  high  reputation.  But  upon  the  death 
of  Mr.  Constable  he  became  so  much  engaged  as  his  executor, 
in  the  management  of  the  extensive  tracts  of  land  of  his  estate, 
in  this  and  the  neighboring  counties,  that  he  abandoned  his  fac- 
tory and  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  settlement  and  improve- 
ment of  these  lands  and  of  others,  belonging  to  himself,  in  the 
towns  0.'  Pierrepont,  Stockholm  and  Louisville,  in  St.  Lawrence 
County. 

He  afterwards  made  large  additions  to  his  lands  by  purchases 
from  the  Constable  estate  and  others,  and  became  the  owner  of 
about  half  a  million  of  acres.  He  annually,  from  the  year 
1803,  till  the  time  of  his  death,  made  a  tour  of  these  lands  in  the 
summer,  and  laid  out  and  made  many  roads,  turnpikes,  and  ex- 
tensive settlements.  Some  incidents  connected  with  his  visits 
to  this  county,  are  related  in  thediary  of  James  Constable,  extracts 
from  which  we  have  inserted  in  our  account  of  Ellisburgh,  which 
town  has  since  been  inherited  by  his  son  William  C,  who  had 
charge  of  his  lands  in  the  counties  of  Oswego  and  Jefferson,  while 
his  son  Henry  E.  took  charge  of  those  in  Lewis,  St.  Lawrence, 
and  Franklin.  Mr.  Pierrepont  was  distingu'hed  for  great  energy 
and  decision  of  charrcter,  and  for  his  compi'  Sensive  and  sound 
judgment.  He  antinipaUu  at  an  early  dpy  the  destined  growth 
of  our  country,  and  the  co;isequent  appreciation  of  real  estate, 
and  perseveringly  adhered  to  his  judgment,  through  the  periods 
of  war,  and  the  various  fluctuations  we  experienced  during  the 
first  third  of  this  century,  and  lived  to  see  his  hopeful  views  fully 
realized. 

Augustus  Sacket,  the  pioneer  of  Sackets  Harbor,  was  born  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  November  10,  1769,  where  ho  received 
his  education,  and  acquired  the  profession  of  law.  In  1801, 
having  purchased  a  tract  in  Houndsfield,  he  came  on  and  began 
the  first  settlement  at  that  place,  and  comiuen'^ed  its  improvement 
with  much  energy.  Upon  the  formation  of  a  collection  district, 
he  was  appointed  the  first  collector,  and  at  th,  organization  of 
the  county  court  was  made  first  judge.  In  1809,  having  sold 
his  property  in  this  county,  he  removed  to  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  from 
whence,  in  1812,  he  went  to  Meadville,  Pa.,  ha  ing  there  pur- 
chased 300,000  acres  of  land.  He  soop     turned  to  New  York  city. 


a 


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462 


George  Jiliite. 


anil  in  1820  '.\^  went  to  Rutherford  Coun(y,  N.  C,  having  be- 
come it.ttrestfd  in  u  large  tract  of  land  in  tha:  v.te.  l)y  a 
stiUequent  transaction  he  became  interested  in  Ih^'  i.siunds  of  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  returned  to  Sackets  Harbor,  and  in  1827  re- 
iiioved  to  Newburgh.  In  these  varied  changes  and  transactions 
in  laid  speculations,  he  was  ultimately  very  unfortunate.  He 
died  at  Albany,  April  29,  1827,  of  a  sudden  sickness,  while  on 
his  way  to  this  county. 

MicAH  SfERLiNO,  was  bom  in  Lyme,  Ct.,  November  5,  1784, 
entered  Yale  College  in  1800,  and  graduated  in  1804.  He  was 
a  classmate  of  John  C.  Calhoun,  and  the  friendship  there 
formed  lasteJ  through  life.  After  attending  a  course  of  law  lec- 
tures in  Litr:hfield,  Ct.,  he  studied  law  with  Judge  Williams,  of 
Utica,  and  alter  residing  a  year  in  Adams,  removed  about  1809 
to  VValertown,  where  he  resided  till  his  death.  In  1821,  he  was 
elected  to  congress,  and  in  1836  to  the  stale  senate.  He  died 
April  11,  1844,  of  scarlet  fever,  the  same  day  wi:h  Egbert  Ten 
Eyck.  The  directors  of  the  Jetterson  County  Bank,  ol  whom  he 
had  been  one,  and  the  members  of  the  bar,  passed  resolutions 
expressing  their  respect  for  his  memory.  His  character  is  thus 
summed  up  by  the  writer  of  an  obituary  notice: 

•'Of  the  public  character  of  Mr.  Sterling,  the  journals  of  con- 
gress an''  the  senate,  bear  faithful  testimony.  Possessing  talents 
of  a  hi',j,h  order,  a  mind  well  disciplined  by  education  and  reflec- 
tion, t'!rii;u'n!iy  industrious  and  persevering,  energetic,  patriotic, 
anci  i!;.(e.'-ii,  his  career,  as  a  public  man,  was  no  less  brilliant  and 
honorab!t'>  ihan  useful  to  the  public,  wliich  it  was  his  greatest 
glory  to  serve.  But  few  men  have  passed  through  more  trying 
political  scenes;  and  but  few,  like  him,  could  better  command 
the  respect  of  his  opponents.  In  the  private  relations  of  life, 
the  character  of  Mr.  Sterling  was  most  exemplary.  Habitually 
dignified  in  his  manners,  he  insensibly  won  the  respect  of  all 
with  whom  he  associated." 

Egbert  Ten  Eyck  was  born  April  18,  1779,  at  Schodack, 
Rensselaer  Co.,  N.  Y  ;  was  educated  at  Williams  College,  and 
studied  law  at  Albany.  At  an  early  day,  he  settled  in  Cham- 
pion, and  soon  after  at  Watertown.  In  1822,  he  was  member 
of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and  in  1823  was  elected  to 
congress.  He  was  five  years  first  judge  of  the  county  court,  and 
for  a  long  time  secretary  of  the  agricultural  society,  of  which  he 
was  an  active  and  useful  member.  He  died,  April  11,  1844,  at 
Watertown. 

George  White,  was  born  >n  Hatfield,  Mass.,  Oct  10,  1775, 
and  was  a  son  of  Sirneon  White.  At  18,  he  removed  to  Tren- 
ton, where  he  married,  and  in  1800  to  Rutland,  where  he  resided 
till  his  death,  March  9,  1853.    On  the  25th  of  March,  1814,  he 


'r^' 


Benjamin  Wright. 


453 


'^''hing  manhood  when 
vas  a  time  to  inspire 

i.ui}y  enterprise.    New 

\vs   *vere  to  be  made; 

by  those  who  should 

Enlightened  Europe 


was  appointed  a  major  of  the  76th  regiment  of  Infantry,  and  in 
1823-5,  was  member  of  assembly.  For  several  years,  he  was 
the  agent  of  Rutland. 

Benjamin  Wright. — Although  the  subjecf  of  this  notice  never 
resided  in  the  county,  yet  his  intimate  connection  with  its  sur- 
veys and  agencies,  entitle  him  to  a  place  in  the  history  of  the 
county. 

Thay  were  fortunate,  who  "  ere 
the  federal  government  was  organize 
youthful  genius,  and  cherish  a  boff''  ■ 
and  fertile  regions  were  to  be  ( 
and  a  mighty  influence  was  to  be     vc 
lead  in  these  great  works  of  civil iza^ 

shed  its  lustre  over  the  new  world,  and  indicated  the  true  paths 
to  national  greatness  and  individual  prosperity.  The  United 
States  opened  the  fairest  field  that  ever  invited  the  cultivation 
of  virtuous  men.  And  among  those  who  seized  the  occasion 
and  have  reared  to  themselves  lasting  monuments  by  their  public 
services,  a  conspicuous  place  will  be  reserved  for  the  name  of 
Benjamin  Wright,  the  chief  engineer  of  the  Erie  Canal,  and  one 
of  the  originators  of  the  first  official  act  in  relation  to  this  splendid 
work. 

He  was  born  in  the  town  of  Wethersfield,  Conn.,  October 
10th,  1770. 

From  his  early  childhood,  young  Wright  manifested  an  unusual 
degree  of  interest  in  the  studies  which  relate  to  surveying  and 
mensuration,  stimulated,  no  doubt,  by  the  example  of  Washing- 
ton, who  had  laid  the  foundation  of  his  fortune  and  his  fame,  by 
his  early  enterprise  and  industry  as  a  surveyor  of  new  lands.  At 
the  age  of  sixteen,  he  found  the  means  of  gratifying  his  peculiar 
taste  and  extending  his  knowledge  of  his  favorite  studies.  He 
was  sent  to  live  with  an  uncle  at  Plymouth,  in  Litchfield  County, 
where  he  had  access  to  the  best  books  and  instruments  which 
could  then  be  obtained  by  country  surveyors.  Along  with  his 
growing  knowledge  of  the  surveyor's  art,  he  imbibed  the  spirit  of 
western  emigration,  which  was  then  beginning  to  carry  the  hardy 
sons  of  New  England  into  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Mohawk,  and 
the  productive  regions  of  the  Genesee.  Great  inducements  were 
held  out  to  young  men,  qualified  to  survey  lands  and  make  up  the 
contents  of  title  deeds.  His  spirit  was  imparted  to  his  father's 
family,  prompting  them  to  leave  their  home  in  Wethersfield,  and 
plant  themselves  near  Fort  Slanwix,  now  called  Rome,  in  Oneida 
County.  The  part  of  the  town  where  they  established  themselves, 
still  retains  the  name  of  Wright's  settlement. 

Fort  Stanwix  was  then  the  western  border  of  civilization,  the 
very  frontier  settlement  of  New  York.    It  was  a  small  clearing, 
29 


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Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  I4SR0 

(716)872-4503 


.- -• : V7]fJ»P!»!^ T^JIV^- %T3^ J"' TS^'^  r/jrej',  > Y 


454 


Benjamin  fVrigh. 


in  the  midst  of  a  dense  and  widespread  forest,  far  remote  from 
any  other  white  inhabitants.  The  only  roads  were  the  remains 
01  a  military  road,  opened  during  the  revolutionary  war,  the 
paths  of  the  hunter,  the  surveyor,  or  the  natives  of  the  forest.  In 
1789,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  then  in  his  nineteenth  year, 
having  packed  up  all  the  books,  diaps  and  instruments  he  had 
been  able  to  purchase,  set  off,  to  join  his  father,  who  had  a  little 
preceded  him.  For  a  short  time,  Mr.  Wright  assisted  his  father 
and  brothers  in  clearing  a  field  and  rearing  a  log  cabin;  but  his 
knowledge  of  the  surveyor's  art  soon  became  known  to  the  set- 
tlers, and  he  began  to  find  employment  in  his  favorite  work. 
The  original  proprietors  of  the  soil,  in  his  immediate  neighbor- 
hood, had  caused  the  lands  to  be  laid  out  in  lots  of  five  hundred 
acres.  But  these  dimensions  exceeded  the  ability  of  the  newly 
arriving  settlers;  they  rarely  purchased  more  than  a  half  or  a 
fourth  of  one  of  these  lots;  so  tliat  the  surveyor  was  to  be  em- 
ployed as  often  as  a  new-comer  made  his  appearance  in  the  set- 
tlement. 

By  means  of  these  surveys,  and  access  to  such  maps  and 
descriptions  as  he  could  obtain,  he  became  possessed  of  valuable 
knowledge  relating  to  the  general  features  and  comparative  value 
as  to  soil,  timber  and  water  power,  of  extensive  tracts  of  coun- 
try around  Fort  Stanwix.  He  now  gave  up  all  his  time  to  his 
studies,  except  when  in  the  field;  he  procured  from  abroad  the 
best  books,  maps,  and  instruments;  and  by  patient  toil  over 
the  slate  and  the  drawing  boards,  he  embodied  his  daily  observa- 
tions in  accurate  topographical  maps  and  descriptions.  All 
parties  acquiesced  in  the  correctness  of  his  surveys.  His  de- 
scriptions and  estimates  became  authorities  in  all  questions  of 
boundaries;  and  he  found  abundant  occupation.  From  the  year 
1792  to  1796,  he  had  laid  out,  into  farms,  five  hundred  thousand 
acres,  in  the  county  of  Oneida. 

From  this  period  to  1801,  he  was  employed  in  surveying  the 
central  and  northern  counties  of  this  state-r-that  part  known  3« 
Macomb's  Purchase — and  considerable  portions  of  Franklin  and 
Jefferson  counti«>3.  This  was  a  period  of  great  fatigue  and 
hardship  For  weeks  in  succession,  his  parties  pitched  their  tents 
in  the  t.ackless  forests,  far  from  the  habitations  of  white  men, — 
the  form  of  the  savage  the  only  one  encountered  by  day,  and 
the  fierce  wolf  and  panther  hovering  around  them  by  night.,  kept 
at  bay  only  by  their  circling  camp  fires.  With  steady  and 
indomitable  industry  he  pursued  his  way,  deterred  by  i^o  difficul- 
ties, when  in  the  performance  of  his  engagements.  These  severe 
labors  might  seem  unfriendly  to'scientific  pursuits;  but  in  truth 
they  were  not  so.  He  was  acquiring  that  extensive  topographi- 
cal knowledge  and  habit  of  observation,  which  he  was  enabled. 


Benjamin  Wright. 


455 


in  his  subsequent  life,  to  turn  to  such  great  benefit  to  his  adopted 
state. 

In  the  year  1798,  he  paid  a  visit  to  the  home  of  his  youth, 
and  married  the  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Simon  Waterman,  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Plymouth.  Litchfield  County.  Returning  to 
Fort  Stanwix,  Mr.  Wright  took  up  his  residence  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity  of  the  fort,  in  what  is  ncvr  the  village  of  Rome. 
Here  he  became  the  agent  for  the  sale  of  the  lands  of  many  of 
the  large  proprietors,  for  whom  he  had  made  such  extensive 
surveys;  and  the  heirs  o:'  these  grea':  estates  bear  a  uniform 
testimony  to  the  ability  and  fidelity  with  which  he  fulfilled  his 
trust.  These  agencies  did  not,  however,  prevent  him  taking  an 
active  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  county  in  which  he  lived. 

The  wilderness  which  he  had  entered  in  1789  bad  now  be- 
come a  rural  district  of  considerable  agricultural  wealth.  The 
surplus  products  of  the  soil  sought  a  market  at  a  distance  of  more 
than  one  hundred  miles  over  roads  which  scarcely  deserved  the 
name.  Hence  the  necessity  of  greater  facilities  of  transport, 
and  the  Western  Inland  Lock  Navigation  Company  was  organ- 
ized for  the  purpose  of  connecting  the  waters  of  Wood  Creek 
with  the  Mohawk  River,  by  means  of  a  short  canal,  and  also  to 
construct  such  locks  and  channels  around  the  rapids  of  the  Mo- 
hawk in  Herkimer  County  as  would  make  practicable  the  de- 
scent and  ascent  of  the  river  by  loaded  bateaux.  In  the  year 
1803,  the  entire  survey  of  the  Mohawk  was  made  by  Mr.  Wright, 
and  a  portion  of  two  years  was  spent  in  the  service  of  the  com- 
pany, making  plans  and  estimates,  which  their  poverty  never 
permitted  them  to  execute  beyond  the  previous  improvements 
at  Little  Falls  on  the  Mohawk,  and  those  at  Rome  and  in  the 
channel  of  Wood  Creek,  made  about  the  year  1795.  The 
waters  of  the  latter,  flowing  past  Rome  on  the  westerly  side, 
pursue  their  way  to  Oneida  Lake,  and  thence,  through  Lake 
Ontario,  into  the  St.  Lawrence;  while  those  c!  the  Mohawk,  pass- 
ing on  the  east  side,  are  emptied  into  the  Hudson  River,  and 
thence  into  the  Atlantic  below  New  York.  This  very  peculiar 
feature  of  the  country  at  Rome,  with  not  more  than  about  a  doz- 
en feet  elevation  between  the  two  streams  indicated  the  improve- 
ments undertaken  by  the  before-mentioned  company.  These 
works,  although  of  great  benefit,  did  not  meet  the  rapidly  increas- 
ing exigencies  of  the  country.  The  survey  made  by  Mr.  Wright 
of  the  Mohawk  River  and  Wood  Creek,  for  the  Western  Inland 
Navigation  Company,  would  lead  his  thoughts  most  naturally  to 
the  importance  of  a  more  extended  communication  by  a  naviga- 
ble canal  between  the  great  lakes  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  In 
1807  we  find  him  a  member  of  assembly  from  Oneida  County,  him- 
self and  colleague,  General  McNeil,  lodging  at  the  same  house 


^66 


Benjamin  fVright. 


Tvith  Judge  Forman,  a  member  from  Onondaga  County.  Mr. 
Wright  was  then  a  subscriber  to  Rees'  Encyclopedia,  a  very  large 
and  extensive  work,  then  furnished  to  subscribers  through  Messrs. 
Webster  &  Skinner  of  Albany.  One  evening  during  the  session, 
Mr.  Wright  brought  in  with  him  the  volume  just  then  issued,  which 
contained  the  article,  Canalf.  Opening  to  this, a  discussion  ensued, 
resulting  in  the  agreement  that  Judge  Forman  should,  on  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  February  4,  1808,  present  a  resolution  which 
Mr.  Wright  should  second,  appropriating  one  thousand  dollars 
to  the  survey  of  a  canal  between  Lake  Erie  and  the  Hudson 
River.  This  resolution  passed  the  assembly.  In  the  senate  the 
appropriation  was  reduced  to  the  sum  of  six  hundred  dollars  and 
theii  passed.  (See  journal  of  the  assembly  session,  1807-8.) 
Thus  originated  the  first  official  act  in  relation  to  the  great  and 
noble  scheme  of  internal  improvement  since  carried  into  such 
successful  operation  in  the  state  of  New  York — a  movement 
which  like  an  electric  shock  communicated  its  mighty  influence 
to  the  surrounding  states,  and,  in  a  brief  space,  our  country  leaped 
as  it  were  from  youth  to  conscious  manhood ! 

Every  one,  without  exceptions,  who  was  personally  acquainted 
with  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  will  bear  unhesitating  testimony  to 
his  exceeding  modesty  and  shrinking  from  aught  like  public 
honors  or  notoriety.  Scarcely  a  word  ever  escaped  him  which 
could  be  construed  into  a  wish  to  assert  his  own  claims  to  merit 
in  the  originating  of  this  great  work,  or  even  in  the  promotion 
of  it  in  any  manner.  A  candid,  discrimina^'ng  public  will  at 
once  rightly  estimate  the  weight  to  be  gi\  »  Mr.  Wright's 
previous  position  and  occupation,  having  a  ^  .y  surveyed  one- 
third  of  the  route.  Under  these  circumstances,  we  feel  author- 
ized in  awarding  to  Judge  Wright  an  equal  merit  with  Judge 
Forman  in  this  measure.  That  the  idea  of  a  canal  had  been  for 
several  years  expressed  by  others  is  well  known.  The  claim 
here  supported  for  Mr.  Wright  is  limited  to  the  originating  of 
the  first  legislative  steps  towards  the  accomplishment  of  this 
splendid  work,  which  may  be  said  to  have  created  the  Great 
West,  by  opening  her  broad  prairies  and  fertile  valleys  to  the 
great  markets,  and  inviting  the  industrious  emigrant  to  reap  the 
golden  harvest  which  a  bountiful  nature  bestowed,  with  but  little 
labor. 

The  report  of  Judge  Geddes,  who  made  the  first  survey,  led, 
in  1810,  to  the  appointment  of  a  board  of  canal  commissioners, 
and  to  an  appropriation  for  additional  surveys.  The  canal  com- 
missioners after  examining  the  route  from  Lake  Erie,  reported  in 
favor  of  a  canal  through  the  whole  distance,  unbroken  by  locks, 
on  an  inclined  plane  of  six  inches  to  the  mile.  This  report  was 
referred  to  Mr.  Wright  and  Mr.  Geddes,  who  reported  against 


Benjamin  fVrigkt. 


457 


it.  The  war  with  Great  Britain  intervened,  and  prevented  any 
progress  in,  while  it  furnished  irresistible  evidence  of  the  neces- 
sity  of  such  a  work  of  internal  navigation.  But  in  1816,  a 
canal  board  was  efficiently  organized,  and  Mr.  Geddes  and  Mr. 
Wright  were  charged  with  constructing  the  canal — the  former 
with  the  western,  and  the  latter  with  the  eastern  section — and 
from  that  time  forth  the  work  proceeded  under  their  direction 
to  its  completion,  in  the  year  1825.  It  may  be  mentioned,  that 
Mr.  Wright  had,  during  the  war,  been  appointed  one  of  the 
judges  for  the  county  where  he  resided,  but  from  his  office,  as 
well  as  from  all  his  other  employments,  he  withdrew  on  receiv- 
ing the  appointment  of  canal  engineer. 

Although  the  services  rendered  by  Mr.  Wright  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  Erie  Canal,  constitute  his  principal  claim  to  be 
remembered  by  posterity,  he  was  also  consulting  or  chief  engi- 
neer of  a  number  of  other  internal  improvements,  of  the  highest 
importance  to  the  material  interests  of  the  United  States;  such 
as  the  Farmington  Canal,  in  Connecticut;  the  Blackstone  Canal, 
in  Rhode  Island;  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canals,  the  James 
River  and  Kanawha  Canal,  the  Chesapeake  and  Delaware  Canal, 
the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal,  the  Harlem  Rail  Road,  the 
Welland  Canal,  in  Canada;  the  New  York  and  Erie  Rail  Road, 
the  Tioga  Rail  Road,  the  Chicago  and  Illinois  River  Canal. 

In  1835  he  visited  Cuba,  to  consult  as  to  a  rail  road  from 
Havana  to  the  interior  of  the  Island,  and  his  approval  of  the 
projected  road  decided  its  construction.  Mr.  Wright  died  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  which  had  been  his  residence  during  several 

fears,  on  the  24th  of  August,  1842,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age. 
t  may  be  added,  that  in  all  the  various  enterprises  in  which  he 
was  connected,  Mr.  Wright  sustained  the  same  reputation  of 
zeal,  industry,  and  probity,  avoiding  the  reality,  and  ever  escap- 
ing the  suspicion  of  ever  using  the  opportunities  afforded  him 
by  his  station,  for  any  undue  advantage  of  his  own  fortune. 


iW 

Hmin 

^Rawi 

1  ','■ 

ij 

458 


rAflWir</ 1812-16. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  WAR  WITH  GREAT  BRITAIN,  1812-1815. 

"  Cuming  event?  cast  their  shadows  before  them,"  and  the  trou- 
bles that  preceded  the  declaration  of  war,  in  some  degree  prepared 
the  public  mind  for  that  event.  On  the  22d  of  December,  1807, 
congress  laid  an  indefinite  embargo,  which  applied  to  the  inland 
lakes,  equally  with  the  sea  board,  and  rendered  measures  neces- 
sary for  enforcing  an  observance  of  the  non-intercourse.  In  the 
summer  of  1808,  Lieutenant  Melancthon  T.  Woolsey  was  sent  to 
Oswego,  to  superintend  the  building  of  a  brig,  which  was  launch- 
ed early  in  1809,  and  named  the  Oneida.  She  was  built  by 
Christian  Bergh  and  Henry  Eckford,  and  was  pierced  for  sixteen 
guns.  A  companr  of  infantry,  under  Captain  Bennet,  and  of 
twenty-three  artillery  men,  under  Lieutenant  Cross,  were  station- 
ed at  Sackets  Harbor  in  1808,  and  early  in  March,  1809,  two 
detachments  of  militia  (forty-five  men),  from  Colonel  Paul 
Stickney's  regiment,  were  drawn  out,  twenty  of  whom  were  sta- 
tioned on  the  St.  Lawrence,  opposite  Kingston,  and  the  remain- 
der on  the  Oswegatchie  road,  where  several  routes  united.  The 
embargo  had  the  effect  of  lowering  the  price  of  grain,  by  inter- 
rupting the  commerce  bv  which  it  was  exported,  while  from  the 
sam6  cause  it  enormously  increased  the  price  of  potash,  which  all 
new  woody  countries  produce,  and  which  the  embargo  prevented 
from  reaching  England,  except  indirectly  by  way  of  Canadt* 
This  afforded  a  temptation  too  strong  for  the  honesty  of  great 
numbers,  who,  notwithstanding  the  vigilance  of  the  revenue  offi- 
cers, were  very  successful.  This  article  rose  to  $300  and  $320 
per  ton  in  Montreal,  from  whence  it  could  be  exported  without 
obstruction  to  England;  and  as  there  then  existed  in  Canada  no 
law  against  its  importation  into  the  country,  the  only  difficulty 
to  meet,  was  an  evasion  or  open  defiance  of  our  own  laws.  Pot- 
ash was  brought  from  the  interior  counties,  and  even  from  New 
York  to  this  frontier,  and  temporary  roads  were  beaten  through 
the  forest  in  the  winter  time,  by  those  engaged  in  this  illegal 
traffic.  Among  these  was  the  "  embargo  road,"  from  the  Black 
River,  near  Brownville,  to  near  French  Creek,  which  for  a  sea- 
son became  a  great  thoroughfare  for  smugglers.  Previous  to  the 
calling  out  of  the  militia  detachments  above  mentioned,  Mr. 
Hart  Massey  had  seized  fifty-four  barrels  of  pot  and  pearl  ashes, 
and  twenty  barrels  of  pork  near  Cape  Vincent,  which  property 
was  openly  rescued  and   carried  off  by  a  force  of  fifty  or  sixty 


TJie  fFar  of  1812-15. 


45» 


(irnied  men,  with  many  sleighs  from  Kingston.  Some  idea  of  the 
facUlty  Vtrith  which  smuggling  might  be  performed,  may  be  gain- 
ed from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  the  collector  at 
Sackets  Harbor,  to  tne  head  of  department,  dated  March  14, 
1809: 

**  Nature  has  fiimished  the  smugglers  with  the  firmest  ice  that  was  '>ver 
known  on  this  fivntier.  There  is  scarcely  a  place  from  the  Oswegatuhie 
to  Sandy  Creek,  a  distance  of  110  miles,  but  that  the  ice  is  good.  Sleighs 
pass  at  Sackets  Harbor  ten  miles  from  shore,  and  all  the  force  I  can  raise 
IS  not  sufficient  to  stop  them.  They  appear  determined  to  evade  the 
laws  at  the  risk  of  their  lives.  More  particularly  at  Oswegatchie,  I  am 
informed,  they  have  entered  into  a  combination,  not  to  entertain,  nor 
even  suffer  any  other  force  to  be  stationed  in  that  vicinity,  and  their 
threats  are  handed  out,  that,  if  I,  or  any  other  officer  should  come  there 
again,  they  will  take  a  raw  hide  to  them,  which  they  declare  they 
have  prepared  for  that  purpose.  These  threats  don't  terrify  me. 
I  only  mention  them  to  let  you  know  their  unprincipled  determination. 
The  regular  troops,  and  the  inhabitants  at  that  station,  have  a  mutual 
understanding.  If  the  troops  that  are  there,  are  not  called  away,  it 
will  be  in  vain  to  send  any  more,  without  sending  enough  to  over- 
power them  and  the  inhabitants.  *  *  The  militia,  stationed  on  the 
Oswegatchie,  are  thirty  miles  this  way  from  the  post,  at  the  place 
where  the  roads  branch  off  to  various  paits  of  St.  Lawrence 
County.*  The  psople  in  the  vicinity  of  their  station  are  hostile,  and 
refuse  to  accommodate  them  with  any  thing,  even  to  admit  them  into 
thuir  houses.  They  are  in  a  suffering  condition,  and  the  snow  is  thre« 
feet  deep.  I  shall  go  to  their  assistance  soon,  and  furnish  them  with  such 
things  as  they  are  in  want  of,  to  keep  them  from  suffering.  They  are 
poorly  armed,  without  blankets  or  cooking  utensils,  or  even  without 
shelter,  except  hemlock  boughs,  but,  notwithstanding  their  distressed 
situation,  they  stop  the  illicit  trade  on  that  road.  It  is  with  difficul^, 
that  I  get  any  assistance  for  the  conveyance  of  property  to  the  public 
store.  If  I  have  not  armed  men  with  me,  the  inhabitants  will  assemble 
in  the  night,  and  take  the  property  trom  me.  There  are  some  who  wish 
to  support  the  laws,  but  they  are  so  unpopular  that  they  shrink  from  their 
duty.  My  life  and  the  lives  of  my  deputies  are  threatened  daily;  what 
will  be  the  fate  of  us,  God  only  knows." 

This  open  and  bold  defiance  of  laws,  was  not  entirely  due  to 
a  mercenary  spirit,  but  to  political  rancor  and  a  practical  opposi- 
tion to  a  law  which  they  declared  unconstitutional  and  void. 
An  open  defiance  to  the  law  was  attempted  at  Oswego,  in  the 
summer  of  1808,  it  is  said,  in  part,  by  citizens  of  this  county, 
which  was  boldly  planned  but  badly  executed. 

One  morning,  about  ten  boats,  with  sixty  armed  men,  entered 
that  harbor,  and  from  an  intimation  that  was  given  by  one  of 
their  number,  it  was  learned  that  they  designed  to  forcibly  seize 
a  quantity  of  flour  that  had  been  detained  by  the  collector,  Mr. 
Burt,  or  to  use  their  own  language,  '*  to  clear  out  the  place  or 
burn  it;'*  A  message  was  at  once  sent  to  hasten  on  a  company 
of  dragoons  at  Onondaga,  who  arrived  within  half  a  dozen  miles 

*  In  the  town  of  Antwerp,  ont  mile  north  nf  tlie  village. 


460 


The  War  of  1812  15. 


and  encamped.  Learning  that  the  hour  of  Up.  m.  -was  agreed 
upon  for  ^*  a  scrape,"  the  detachment  was  hastened  forward,  and 
arrived  a  few  mmutes  before  the  signal  was  given.  Hearing 
the  music  of  the  approaching  company,  the  insolent  marauders 
instantly  fled  to  the  woods,  leaving  their  boats  in  charge  of  the 
collector.  The  great  price  to  which  ashes  arose  led  for  a  short 
time  to  extensive  clearings  for  this  object  as  labor  was  far  better 
rewarded  in  this,  than  in  the  ordinary  pursuits  of  husbandry. 
On  the  1st  of  March,  1809,  the  embargo  gave  place  to  a  non- 
intercourse  law,  which  expired  in  May,  1810.  On  the  4th  of 
April,  1812,  an  embargo  was  again  laid,  which  rendered  renewed 
vigilance  necessary;  but  this  time,  a  more  efficient  system  of 
means  was  at  hand. 

In  Maj',  1812,  the  Lord  Nelson,  a  British  schooner,  bound  for 
Niagara,  and  laden  with  flour  and  merchandise  from  Kingston, 
being  found  in  American  waters,  in  the  lake,  was  captured  by 
Woolsey,  brought  into  Sackets  Harbor,  and  condemnea  as  a  law- 
ful prize.  Among  the  goods  taken  and  offered  at  auction,  was 
a  quantity  of  plate,  jewelry,  wearing  apparel,  and  household 
articles  cf  rich  materials,  belonging  to  a  lady  of  Queenstown, 
newly  married,  but  not  on  board ;  and  these  articles,  although 
of  great  intrinsic  value,  were  inestimably  precious  to  the  owner, 
as  family  relics  and  keepsakes.  These,  Commodore  Woolsey, 
with  true  courtesy,  proposed  to  restore,  and  the  suggestion  was 
seconded  by  the  hearty  acclamation  of  his  gallant  sailors,  who 
(  ^'l  to  relinquish  their  claim;  but  others,  from  sordid  and 
oral  motives,  insisted  that  the  sale  should  go  on,  and  under- 
took to  compete  in  the  bids,  which  gradually  arose  to  three,  four, 
and  five  hundred  dollars.  At  this  moment,  the  gallant  Woolsey, 
determined  not  to  be  baffled  in  his  design,  suddenly  raised  his  bid 
io  Jive  thousand,  which  at  once  ended  the  contest,  amid  the 
cheers  of  his  men,  and  to  the  discomfit  of  his  opponents.  The 
property,  he  promptly  forwarded  to  the  owner,  and  the  govern- 
ment sanctioned  his  course  by  discharging  him  from  the  obliga- 
tion.* The  vessel  was  owned  by  Crooks,  of  Niagara,  who 
afterwards  got  a  reversal  of  the  adjudication.  The  Lord  Nelson 
was  changed  to  the  Scourge,  and  was  afterwards  recaptured  by 
the  enemy. 

On  the  14th  day  of  June,  the  schooner  Ontario,  Capt.  Charles 
Sweet,  was  seized  at  Cape  Vincent  for  an  alleged  violation  of 
the  revenue  laws, but  discharged  on  the  22d.  The  schooner  Ni- 
agara, was  seized  at  about  the  same  time,  and  afterwards  sold 
for  a  like  cause. 

♦  A  different  version  of  this  anecdote  is  given  by  Cooper,  in  his  Lives  of 
Bistinvuished  Naval  Officers,  vol.  ii,  p.  136.  We  give  the  account  as  related 
to  us  by  Captain  Augustus  Ford,  of  Sackets  Harbor;  who,  since  1795,  has 
bMB  famiUwr  with  whatever  ucoiuMcted  with  the  navigation  of  lake  Ontario. 


The  fVar  qf  181i-l6. 


461 


r. 


The  state  legislature,  acting  on  the  spirit  which  led  the  gene- 
ral government  to  take  the  steps  above  related,  on  the  12th  of 
February,  1808,  directed  that  500  stand  of  arms  should  be  de- 
posited at  Champion.  Governor  Tompkins,  in  a  letter  to  Noa- 
diah  Hubbard,  of  Champion,  of  February  27,  1809,  announced 
that  of  the  above  360  sets  of  accoutrements,  7500  rounds  of  fixed 
ammunition,  &c.,  had  been  for  some  time  at  Utica,  awaiting 
some  place  of  deposit,  which  was  not  however  provided,  and 
their  destination  was,  by  an  act  of  March  27,  1809,  changed  to 
Watertown,  where  an  arsenal  was  built  that  year,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Ifart  Massey.  The  street  on  which  it  was  located 
wa"  called  Columbia  Street^  previous  to  this  time,  when  its 
name  was  changed  to  Jlrsenal  Street.  It  was  maintained  as  a 
state  arsenal,  until  sold  under  tne  act  of  April  19,  1850. 

By  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  April  10,  1812,  the  president 
was  authorized  to  raise  a  body  of  100,000  minute  men,  of  which 
proportion  New  York  was  to  furnish  13,500. 

Colonel  Christopher  P.  Bellinger,  from  Montgomery  County, 
was  stationed  at  the  harbor  in  May,  with  a  regiment  drafted 
under  the  act  just  mentioned,  and  remained  three  months.  A 
portion  of  his  command  was  stationed  at  Cape  Vincent,  and  was 
very  efficient  in  enforcing  the  embargo. 

War  having  been  for  years  anticipated,  was  declared  June  18, 
1812,  by  a  vote  of  79  to  49,  in  the  house,  and  of  19  to  15  in  the 
senate;  Silas  Stow  then  representing  this  district  and  voting  in  the 
negative.  The  event  was  first  announced  in  a  letter  from  Governor 
Tompkins  to  Brigadier  General  Jacob  Brown,  of  the  militia, 
dated  June  23,  in  which  he  was  empowered  to  reinforce  Colonel 
Bellinger,  with  the  militia  of  Lewis,  Jefferson,  and  St.  Lawrence 
counties,  and  to  arm  and  equip  them  at  the  si  '.  irsenals  at 
Russell  and  Watertown,  if  occasion  required.  Colon*  1  Benedict, 
of  DeKalb,  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  was  ordered  to  turn  out  immedi- 
ately, to  guard  the  frontiers  from  Ogdensburgh  to  St.  Regis.  In 
reply,  General  Brown  urged  the  speedy  forwarding  of  arms  and 
munitions,  and  that  a  force  should  be  posted  at  Cape  Vincent 
and  Ogdensburgh,  which  could  be  concentrated  at  a  few  hours 
notice,  should  decisive  measures  be  necessary,  '^bis  letter  con- 
tained the  following  sentiments.  "  Your  Excelle'  /  will  bear  in 
mind,  that  this  is  a  very  new  country;  that  V  .  population  is 
light,  and  generally  poor,  though  very  respectable  for  so  new  a 
country,  and  that,  if  any  more  men  are  called  from  their  homes, 
the  crops  which  now  promise  a  very  abundant  harvest  must 
perish  on  the  ground.  I  mention  this  to  your  Excellency,  as  the 
county  expects  it  at  my  hands,  and  much  more  than  my  feeble 
abilities  can  accomplish;  but  no  considerations  of  this  nature 
shall  deter  me,  for  a  moment,  from  calling  out  every  man  in  the 


1 


y 


402 


The  fVar  of  1812-16. 


i 


county,  if  its  defence  requires  it,  though,  for  the  present,  I  must 
hope  that  the  force  coming  on,  will  render  such  a  measure  unne- 
cessary. I  pray  God  that  our  government  will  act  with  that 
decision  and  energy  which  becomes  a  gallant  people." 

On  the  first  announcement  of  war,  some  families  hastily  pre- 
pared to  leave  the  country,  to  which  they  were  impelled  in  part 
by  fugitives  of  the  same  class  from  St.  Lawrence,  but  to  the 
credit  of  the  county  the  number  of  these  timid  ones  was  com- 
paratively small,  and  several  who  had  removed  returned.    The 
fear  of  Indian  massacre,  which  the  memories  of  the  revolution 
suggested,  was  in  general  the  impelling  cause,  although  they 
could  scarcely  define  the  source  from  whence  these  dreaded  mau- 
rauders  would  come,  or  adduce  a  consistent  argument  to  justify 
their  apprehension.    The  news  of  the  war  had  scarcely  reached 
this  frontier,  when  hostilities  were  begun  in  a  small  way,  by 
Abner  Hubbard,  a  revolutionary  soldier,  who,  without  authority, 
and  with  only  the  aid  of  a  man  and  a  boy,  made  a  descent  upon 
Fort  Carleton,  near  Cape  Vincent,  and,  without  firing  a  gun, 
took  the  garrison,  consisting  of  three  invalid  men  and  two  women, 
prisoners.     The  next  day  a  boat  was  sent  to  the  island  for  the 
stores,  and  the  buildings  were  afterwards  burned.  This  proceeding 
being  known  at  Kingston,  an  attempt  was  made  to  detain  a 
citizen  from  Brownvilie,  who  was  in  town  on  commercial  busi- 
ness, but  being  forewarned  by  a  friend,  he  escaped.  On  the  29th 
of  .^Afoail,  a  fleet  of  trading  vessels,  that  had  been  caught  at  Og- 
densburgh,  and  were  attempting  to  ascend  the  river  to  the  lake, 
were  pursued  by  a  party  of  provincial  militia.  Two  of  the  vessels. 
The  Sophia  and  Island  Packet,  were  burned,  and  the  remainder 
returned  in  great  confusion  to  Ogdensburgh,  where  they  created 
the  greatest  alarm.    This  occurred  near  the  foot  of  the  Thousand 
Islands.   On  the  2d  of  July,  the  scouts  of  General  Brown  brought 
in  a  man,  found  between  Indian  River  and  the  St.  Lawrence,  who 
was  taken  for  a  spy,  but  proved  to  be  an  American,  and  con- 
firmed the  account  of  the  burning  of  the  vessels,  slating  that 
there  were  about  thirty  persons  aboard,  mostly  families  moving; 
and  that  the  most  of  their  effects  were  burned.    It  was  appre- 
hended that  the  enemy  were  about  to  fortify  the  islands,  and  thus 
command  the  river.    A  few  days  before  the  news  of  war  was 
received,  a  large  quantity  of  small  arms  was  forwarded  by  the 
governor  to  this  frontier,  consisting  of  two  thousand  muskets, 
and  a  corresponding  quantity  of  munitions,  which  were  mostly  sent 
on  to  the  Russell  Arsenal,  in  Lawrence  County,  escorted  by  the 
detachment  from  Lewis  County.    A  considerable  body  of  militia 
from  Jefferson  County,  was  assembled  at  Cape  Vincent,  together 
with  a  portion  of  the  force  of  Colonel  Bellinger,  as  it  was  con- 
sidered advisable  to  keep  Kingston  in  as  great  a  state  of  alarm 


as 

enen 
and 
It  ^ 


The  fFar of  1812-ib. 


463 


as  possible.  At  this  point  was  the  great  naval  station  of  the 
enemy,  where  for  one  or  two  years  arii)«|vei|g||MH||ui  building, 
and  from  whence  alone  an  attack  copC  be  reaionl^^expected. 
It  was  apprehended  that  an  attempt  would  be  made  by  the 
British,  to  destroy  or  take  our  vessels  at  Ogdensburgh,  and  the 
Oneida,  Lord  Nelson,  and  other  vessels  at  Sackets  Harbor.  To 
be  in  readiness  for  any  attack,  the  governor  was  importuned  to 
forward  cannon  from  the  state  arsenals,  and  the  assurance  was 
given,  that  a  good  account  would  be  rendered  of  the  enemy, 
should  they  attempt  any  expedition  to  our  shores.  On  the  1  Ith 
of  July  a  rumor  was  spread,  that  Lieutenant  Woolsey,  with  the 
brig  Ontida,  had  been  taken  by  the  enemy,  which  brought 
General  Brown  to  the  Harbor,  but  the  report  proved  groundless. 
There  had  MHiKed  two  brass  nine  pounders,  but  no  nine-pound  shot. 
On  Sunday,  the  19th  of  July,  1812,  Captain  \voolesy,  of  the 
Oneida,  discovered  from  the  mast  hepd  of  his  brig,  five  sail  of 
the  enemy  beating  up  the  harbor,  viz:  the  Royal  George,  24 
guns;  the  Seneca,  18;  Prince  Regent,  22;  Earl  of  Moira,  20; 
and  Simcoe.  The  Oneida  attempted  to  gain  the  lake,  but  fail- 
ing, returned,  and  was  moored  outside  of  the  point,  where  the 
ship-house  now  is,  with  one  broadside  of  nine  guns  to  tb  3  enemy, 
while  the  others  were  take  out  and  hastily  placed  on  a  breast- 
work on  the  shore,  near  which,  on  the  day  previous,  a  32  pounder 
(intended  for  the  Oneida,  but  found  too  heavy)  had  been  mount- 
ed on  a  pivot,  upon  a  mound  about  six  feet  high.  Alarm  guns 
were  fired,  and  expresses  sent  to  call  in  the  neighboring  militia, 
who  did  not,  however,  arrive  in  time  to  render  assistance,  but 
who,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  came  in  to  the  number  of  3000. 
The  British  had,  early  in  the  morning,  captured  a  boat  laden 
with  flour  from  Cape  Vincent,  and  the  crew  were  set  on  shore, 
and  sent  with  the  message  "  that  all  they  wanted  was  the  brig 
Oneida,  and  the  Lord  Nelson  (a  vessel  taken  a  little  before  for 
a  violation  of  the  revenue),  and  that  they  would  burn  the  village 
if  there  was  a  single  shot  fired  at  them."  The  enemy  had  been 
misinformed  about  the  defences  of  the  place,  and  especially  of 
the  32  pounder,  and  supposed  there  was  nothing  to  be  feared  in 
the  way  of  ordnance.  The  force  at  that  time  in  town  was,  be- 
sides the  crew  of  the  Oneida,  the  regiment  of  Colonel  Bellinger, 
a  volunteer  company  of  artillery  under  Captain  Camp,  and  a  few 
militia.  Captain  Woolsey,  leaving  his  brig  in  charge  of  a 
lieutenant,  took  the  general  command  on  shore,  the  32  pounder 
being  in  charge  of  Mr.  William  Vaughan,  sailing  master,  and  the 
other  guns  under  that  of  Captain  Camp.  There  were  no  shot  in 
town  larger  than  24  pound  balls,  which  were  used  (with  the  aid 
of  patches  formed  of  carpets),  in  the  32  pounder.  By  the  time 
these  arrangements  were  made,  the  enemy  had  arrived  within 


!' 


['.'• 


i 


t 


[  %  i 


I  •' 


■^T^'Tf-i'f  ■. 


464 


The  fVar  0/1812-15. 


gun  shot, 
was  b«gu 


nearly  in  front  of  the  battery,  when  the  action 
^te^yi^hot  ^bein^r  from  the  32  pounder  on  the 
mound;  yf^^^^mha  shout  of  laughter  was  heard  from  the 
fleet,  at  the  supposed  imbecile  attempt  at  resistance.  The  fire  was 
returned  briskly,  and  continued  for  two  hours,  all  of  the  enemy's 
balls  but  one  or  two,  falling  against  the  rocks  at  the  foot  of  the 
bluff,  where  our  force  was  stationed.  One  ball  fell  near  by,  and 
plowed  up  the  ground  for  some  distance.  It  was  caught  up  jast 
as  it  had  spent  its  force,  by  a  man  who  came  running  in  and 
shouting  that  he  had  "  caught  them  out;"  and  so  it  proved,  for 
from  its  commanding  position,  it  was  seen  that  our  big  gun  had 
every  advantage,  and  that  several  of  its  shots  told  with  effect. 
Towards  the  close  of  the  action,  as  the  Royal  George,  the  flag 
ship,  was  wearing  to  give  another  broadside,  a  2^  pound  shot 
struck  her  stern,  and  raked  her  whole  length,  killing  eight  men, 
and  doing  much  damage,  j^pon  lliis  the  signal  of  retreat  was 
given,  and  the  whole  fleet  bore  away  for  Kingston  without  cere- 
mony. At  this,  the  band  on  shore  struck  up  the  national  tune 
of  Yankee  Dco<lle,  and  the  troops,  who  had  through  the  whole 
affair  behaved  like  veterans,  sent  up  three  cheers  of  victory.  The 
shots  from  our  battery  had  broken  their  chest  of  medicines,  their 
fore  top  gallant  mast,  and  their  vessels,  in  a  dozen  places,  while 
the  enemy  broke  nothing  but — Ihe  Sabbath.  In  a  letter  to  the 
governor,  of  July  24th,  General  Brown  attributed  the  success  of 
the  day  to  the  gallant  spirit  of  Woolsey,  Bellinger  and  Camp, 
in  their  respective  capacities,  and  especially  to  the  nice  shots  of 
the  32  pounder.  Mr.  Vaughan,  who  pointed  and  fired  this  piece, 
claims  the  honor  ot  having  fired  the  first  hostile  gun  in  the  war. 
One  of  the  men  at  this  gun,  named  Julius  Torry,  a  negro,  better 
known  as  Black  Julius^  and  a  great  favorite  in  the  camp,  served 
at  his  post  with  remarkable  activity  and  courage.  As  there  was 
no  opportunity  for  the  use  of  small  arms,  the  greater  part  of  the 
troops  who  were  drawn  up,  were  passive  spectators  of  the  en- 
gagement. 

ft  has  been  intimated  that  a  fleet  of  eight  trading  vessels  was 
detained  at  Ogdensburgh,  which  occasioned  great  anxiety  among 
our  citizens,*  and  to  both  belligerents.  If  they  could  be  got  to 
the  lake,  and  armed,  they  would  give  us  the  supremacy  there; 
and  if  they  could  be  destroyed,  the  enemy  were  sure  of  the  as- 
cendancy for  a  considerable  time.  To  prevent  any  attempt  at 
escape,  the  Earl  of  Moira,  of  fourteen  guns,  and  the  Duke  of 
Gloucester,  of  ten  guns,  had  been  sent  to  Prescott.  This  did  not 
prevent  a  bold  attempt  from  being  made,  to  relieve  the  vessels; 
which,  although  it  failed  to  effect  all  that  was  intended,  was 
carried  out  with  great  firmness,  and  deserves  honorable  notice. 


In  a 

"Th 

the 

volur 

One! 

theh 


*8m  History  of  St.  Ltwrenca  and  Fr«nkUa  Coanties;  paga  0S1. 


The  fVar  <if  1812-15. 


466 


In  a  letter,  of  July  30,  to  the  Governor,  General  Brown  said; 
"The  expedition  lor  Ogdensburgh  is  fitted  out.  The  Julia,*  with 
the  long  thirty-two  pounder,  two  long  sixes,  and  hbout  sixty 
volunteers  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Wells,  from  the 
Oneida,  seconded  by  Captains  Vaughan  and  Dixon,  now  lies  off 
the  harbor,  ready  to  sail  with  the  first  favorable  wind.  We  count 
upon  her  being  under  way  in  the  course  of  this  day,  and  we  pray 
God,  she  may  do  something  towards  saving  the  honor  of  the 
country.  Perhaps  your  Excellency  may  suppose  we  have  been 
led  astray  by  our  ardor,  dazzled  by  the  object,  and  forgot  our 
humble  means.  Our  means  are  humble,  but  with  (he  blessing  of 
Heaven,  this  republican  gun  boat  may  give  a  good  account  of 
the  Duke  and  the  Earl;  and  a  successful  termination  of  this 
enterprise  will  give  us  an  equal  chance  for  the  command  of  the 
lake."  The  result  of  this  expedition  is  detailed  in  the  following 
letter  from  General  Brown  to  the  Governor,  dated  Sackets  Har- 
bor, August  4,  1812: 

"Dear  Sir:  The  Julia  enfrnged  the  Earl  and  Duke  on  the  St.  Law- 
rence, about  twelve  miles  above  Ogdi3nHburgh.  They  closely  hugged 
the  Canada  ohore,  aa  the  wind  at  the  time  was  down  the  river,  and  it 
was  iniposHible  for  them  to  lieat  to  windward.  The  fu'e  was  continued 
for  fidl  three  houid,  when  night,  and  a  dark  night,  was  coming  on,  and 
^jLieut.  WellB  very  j-nidenlly  made  hia  way  to  Ogdensburgh.  l\e  J"I"L- 
was  very  little  injured,  had  few  balls  struck  her;  there  wns  neither 
killed  nor  woundr.d  on  our  aide,  and  we  have  not  been  nl)le  to  learn  what 
injury  the  enemy  suffered.  We  expect  to  hear  from  Wells  again  in  a 
dav  or  two. 

However  easy  it  may  be  to  conquer  Connda,  I  must  assure  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  without  ordnonce  to  a  n7""h  f renter  extent  than  has  yet 
been  supplied,  we  ore  completely  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy,  whenever 
they  may  deem  it  an  object  to  unite  their  force  and  make  a  serious  attack 
upon  ua;  for,  though  we  have  as  gallant  a  people  ns  the  Lord  ever 
created,  wo  must  not  expect  them  to  resist  heavy  ordnance  with  smuil 
arms.  We  shall  have  our  works  at  thia  place  completed  in  the  course 
of  the  week;  and  then,  if  our  government  will  only  furnish  us  with  cati- 
non,  I  humbly  truat  that  we  ahall  give  a  good  account  of  the  <:nemy  if 
they  should  again  venture  their  aquadron  here.  The  men,  belonging  to 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Bellinger's  regiment,  one  and  all,  expect  to  be  dis- 
charged at  the  expiration  of  three  months  from  the  time  of  their  assem- 
bling at  Rome.  They  also  expect  $(j'6()  per  month,  and  a  reaaonable 
amount  of  clothing.  Will  your  Excellency  please  to  give  me  explicit 
ordera  on  thia  subject?  I  will  obey  them  to  the  best  of  my  abilities;  but 
it  will  be  a  knotty  business,  if  these  men  are  retained  in  the  service  for 
a  longer  term  than  they  understood  they  were  drafted  for.  The  Major 
General  [Van  Rensselaer]  left  this  place  yesterday,  for  Oswego,  in  good 
health,  and  that  he  may  long  remain  so,  is  the  prayer  of 

Yours,  respectfully, 

Jacob  Brown,  Brigadier  General. 

*  A  ichooner  built  by  Matthew  McNair,  of  Oswego,  and  named  from  his 
daughter. 


i 


466 


The  r^ar  of  1812-16. 


The  Julia  was  moored  in  the  stream  before  Ogdensburgh  until 
September  6,  in  charge  of  Sailing  Master  Vaughan,  when,  avail- 
ing herself  of  the  armistice  in  September,  she  returned  to  the  lake 
in  company  with  the  vessels  at  that  port.  Bellinger's  regiment 
was  disbanded  on  the  20th  of  August,  before  bemg  paid;  the 
officers  remained  and  the  soldiers  returned  home.  The  delays  of 
payment  which  these  men  experienced,  occasio::ied  murmurs,  and 
their  claims  were  repeatedly  made  the  subject  of  representation 
to  the  governor  by  General  Brown,  who  awarded  them  much 
credit  for  the  services  rendered,  but  insisted  that  the  interests  of 
the  service,  and  the  honor  of  the  country  alike  required  their 
discharge  at  the  end  of  their  enlistment.  In  a  letter  of  August 
10,  General  Brown  remarked: 

This  regiment  being  disbanded,  as  I  do  trust  it  will  be,  and  paid  off  on  or 
before  that  day,  or  your  Excellency  will  see  that  I  shall  have  very  few  men 
under  my  command.  I  will  however  try  to' do  the  best  I  can  with  these 
few,  say  600  men  from  Oswego  to  St  Regis.  It  would  however  be  very 
desirable  to  be  well  supplied  with  the  necessary  munitions  of  war.  A 
few  more  cannon  and  ball  would  be  very  acceptable  and  particularly  so 
as  we  have  with  great  labor  erected  works  for  their  reception.  I  have 
nothing  new  or  interesting  to  communicate  to  your  Excellency  but  as  a 
squadron  of  a  gallant  nation  is  cruising  not  many  miles  from  this  place, 
and  as  it  is  of  some  importance  to  that  nation  to  get  possession  of  the 
Oneida  and  destroy  our  other  vessels  here,  I  think  it  very  possible  that 
the  attempt  will  be  made  before  many  days.  If  they  do  come  in  force 
as  they  doubtless  will  if  they  come  again,  I  trust  in  the  Almighty  and 
my  fellow  soldiers  that  we  shall  not  be  disgraced,  whatever  may  bie  the 
issue. 

On  the  30th  of  July,  a  fine  company  of  riflemen  under  Cap- 
tain Benjamin  Forsyth  had  been  ordered  to  join  General  Brown 
at  Sackets  Harbor  which  was  the  first  regular  force  on  this  fron- 
tier since  the  declaration  of  war.  He  was  encouraged  by  Gene- 
ral Brown  to  enlist  as  many  men  into  his  company  as  ].ossible, 
and  it  was  hoped  that  he  would  be  able  to  have  men  enough  for 
two  companies  in  the  course  of  the  fall.  On  the  17th  of  Sep- 
tember, General  Brown  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  go- 
vernor: 

Dbak  Sir:  The  first  and  only  official  notice  that  I  have  received  from 
my  govemm'^nt  of  the  renewal  of  offensive  operations  against  Great  firi- 
tam  came  to  hand  yesterday  by  the  way  of  Ogdensbiirgh.*  Would  it  not 
be  advisable  to  establish  a  line  of  post  horses  by  the  way  of  Johnstown 
to  Lowville  and  from  thence  to  this  place  and  Ogdensburgh  ?  Were  I 
permitted  it  should  be  done  forthwith.  General  Dodge  advised  me  last 
week  that  he  counted  upon  having  900  men  embodied  at  Utica  last  Sat- 
urday: that  these  men  would  move  to  the  frontiers  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible ;  but  I  am  yet  to  learn  that  they  have  marched  or  moved.  I 
humbly  trust  that  what  it  was  in  my  power  to  do  with  the  means  at  my 
command  has  been  done,  and  that  I  am  disposed  to  do  what  in  me  lies 
to  prosecute  this  just  and  honorable  war. 

*  Referring  to  an  armiitice  that  had  been  agreed  upps. 


infi 
can 


La^ 

all 
hav 


The  fVar  of  1812-15. 


467 


But  I  must  say  to  your  Excellency  that,  unless  more  vigor  and  energy  is 
infused  into  ^he  national  council,  it  is  not  in  human  nature  that  this  war 
can  be  brought  to  a  conclusion  worthy  of  the  American  people.  Excuse 
me,  sir.  Of  vessels  we  have  on  this  lake  ten,  besides  The  Onetda,  and 
vessels  they  are  of  the  first  class  for  their  burthen ;  six  of  them  are  here, 
viz:  the  Uenesee  Packet,*  Experiment,f  Collector^  Lord  Nelson,§ 
Niagara,  and  the  Julia.  At  Oswego,  Charles  and  AnnJj  Diana,1T  Fair 
American,  and  Ontario.  These  vessels  are  from  70  to  IQO  tons  burthen, 
and,  if  armed  with  long  32  pounders,  and  manned  with  such  men  as 
this  nation  could  furnish,  would  at  once  command  the  lake  and  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  the  rapids;  and  may  I  ask  your  Excellency,  in  the  name  of 
nil  that  is  holy,  why  this  has  not  been  done?  Besides  these  vessels,  we 
have  a  number  of  slip  keel  boats,  of  from  10  to  12  tons  burthen,  and 
many  other  boats  of  firom  6  to  8  tons  burthen.  These  boats  should  be 
armed  with  swivels  and  light  guns,  of  from  4  to  6  pound  calibre.  Let 
this  be  done,  and  we  will  soon  see  these  waters  ours,  and  then  Upper 
Canada  will  not  be  of  so  difficult  acquirement  Any  thing  like  a  respect- 
able army  will  then  be  enabled  to  look  down  all  opposition.  I  hope 
it  will  be  recollected  that  our  movements  must  be  rapid  to  effect  any 
thing,  before  the  snow  rallr;  so  deep  as  to  prevent  the  march  of  armies. 
I  have  devoted  some  attemiun  to  this  point,  and  have  caused  works  to  be 
erected  here  of  some  little  consequence;  and  I  do  most  earnestly  solicit 
your  Excellency,  that  I  may  not  be  ordered  from  thisplace,  to  make  room 
for  another.  Whenever  we  may  be  ordered  into  Canada,  I  will  not  be 
hindmost  What  is  to  become  of  our  quartermaster  department?  Will 
there  ever  be  any  money  here  to  pay  up  arrears,  and  make  barracks  for 
men  to  live  in?  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Captain  Camp,  who 
dessrves  well  of  his  country,  and  I  recommend  him  to  the  particular 
notice  of  your  Ebccellency.  Respectfully  yours, 

Jacob  Bbowh." 

On  the  night  of  the  20th  of  September,  an  expedition  was 
despatched  from  Sackets  Harbor,  which  is  thus  described  by 
General  Brown,  in  a  letter  to  the  governor. 

"  At  a  time  when  my  force  was  the  lightest,  and  a  very  considerable 
alarm  prevailed  for  the  safety  of  that  port,  I  fitted  out  a  secret  expedition, 
under  the  command  of  that  excellent  officer.  Captain  Forsyth,  against 
Gananoqui,  a  small  British  post,  twenty  miles  below  Kingston,  with  the 
view  of  capturins  some  of  the  enemy's  ammunition,  of  which  we  were 
and  are  greatly  in  want,  and  of  alarming  them  as  much  as  possible  for 
their  own  safety.  My  order  was  executed  by  Captain  Forsyth,  as  became 
an  officer  and  a  soldier,  and  Captain  McNitt  and  Lieutenaiu  Brown,  and 
Ensigns  Hawkins  and  Johnson,  of  the  militia,  who  volunTeered  on  the 
expedition,  are  reported  to  me,  by  Captain  Forsyth,  as  deserving  the  /.' 
highest  praise  for  their  cool,  intrepid  valor  and  good  conduct  There  M 
was  not  a  man,  but  did  his  duty.  Captain  Forsyth  landed  in  open  day,  A 
—two  miles  :ibovo  the  village ;  his  whole  force  amounting  to  ninety-five.  At 
three  quarters  of  n  mile  he  met  two  horsemen,  one  of  whom  was  probably 
shot,  the  other  fled  to  the  village,  where  Captain  Forsyth  found  on  his  arri- 
val the  enemy  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle,  110  strong,  and  upon  his  ap- 
proach they  commenced  a  heavy  fire  upon  him,  but  over.  He  rushed  imme- 
diately on,  without  firing,  until  within  100  yards,  when  his  party  made  a 


*  Afterwards  the  Conqut$t. 
t        "  "    Growltr. 

t  U  tl      D^/ 


f  Afterwards  the  Scourge. 

II        "  »*    Gov.  Tompkin$. 

«  it  Sk       zx._.-i..» 


468 


The  rVar  of  1812-15. 


few  deliberate  shots,  then  rushed  on,  and  broke  the  enemy,  drove  them, 
across  a  bridge,  which,  for  hie  better  security,  Captain  Forsyth  broke  up.* 
lie  had  one  man  killed  and  one  woundeil.  The  loss  of  the  enemy,  in 
l^illed,  Captain  Forsyth  has  declined  stating,  but  from  the  best  inform-" 
ation  I  can  collect  from  the  party,  it  was  from  ten  to  fifteen.  Twelve 
prisoners  were  taken,  3000  ball  cartridges,  and  41  muskets.  There  were 
in  the  King's  store  about  150  barrels  of  provisions,  and  as  there  were  no 
boats  to  bring  it  away,  it  was  consumed  by  fire,  together  with  the  store. 
Private  property  was  held  sacred.  To  the  soldiers  on  this  expediton,  I 
have  presented  the  public  property  taken,  as  a  reward  for  their  valor  and 
good  conduct.  I  wish  your  Excellency  to  approbate  or  disapprobate 
this  my  donation  to  these  brave  men.  Your  Excellency  must  bear  in 
mind,  that  with  ray  very  little  brigade,  or  at  best  a  part  of  that  at  Oswego, 
I  have  been  put  upon  the  defence  of  this  northern  frontier,  from  St. 
Regis  to  near  Oswego.  The  men  that  I  have  the  honor  to  command, 
have  done  and  suffered  much  for  militia;  their  clothes  generally  were  in 
tatters,  and  they  are  poor  men.  They  can  not  clothe  themselves  in  this 
region  for  $6*66,  per  month,  aiid  it  is  not  in  human  nature  that  those 
men  can  endure  a  winter  campaign  in  this  climate  thus  clad.  I  can  not 
believe  that  these  men  would  leave  me ;  it  would  grieve  me  if  they 
should ;  but  it  is  a  stain  upon  our  national  character,  that  the  citizen 
soldier  of  this  country  should  be  worse  paid  and  provided  for,  than  any 
other  class  among  us."  #  #  # 

On  the  2 1st  of  September,  Brig.  Gen.  Richard  Dodge  arrived 
at  Watertown,  with  a  detachment  of  militia  from  the  Mohawk 
coimtry,  and  issued  orders  for  Gen.  Brown  to  march  to  Ogdens- 
burgh  with  the  detached  militia  under  his  command,  and  take 
charge  of  that  fort.  This  was  the  first  intelligence  he  had  re- 
ceived that  he  was  to  be  superseded  at  Sackets  Harbor,  and  he 
felt  extremely  grieved  at  this  movement,  which  the  customs  of 
the  service  and  priority  of  commissions  indicated. 

He  did  not,  however,  allow  his  personal  feelings  to  conflict 
with  duty,  but  proceeded  to  comply  with  the  order,  though  in  a 
manner  different  from  that  directed.  As  the  roads  were  then 
nearly  impassable,  and  the  journey  would  have  been  tedious  and 
expensive,  he  chose  the  route  of  the  river,  and  arrived  at  Og- 
densburgh  without  accident,  on  the  1st  of  October.  On  the  2d 
the  enemy  cannonaded  the  town,  and  on  the  4th  made  an  unsuc- 
cessful attafflc,*  in  which  they  were  repulsed  with  considerable 
loss.  His  presence  and  the  efficient  exertions  of  his  troops  at 
that  time  saved  the  town  from  capture.  A  part  of  Capt.  For- 
syth's company  accompanied  Gen.  Brown,  the  remainder  being 
detained  by  Gen.  Dodge  at  Sackets  Harbor.  Early  in  October, 
Gov.  Tompkins  visited  Sackets  Harbor,  to  take  efficient  mea- 
sures for  its  defense,  and  on  the  6th,  Com.  Isaac  Chauncey,  hav- 
ing been  appointed  commander  of  the  naval  forces  of  the  United 
States  on  the  lakes,  arrived.  The  vessels  on  the  lake  were  im- 
mediately bought  and  fitted  with  armaments,  and  ship-building 

*  History  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin  couaties,  p.  625.    See  alio  this 

TOiUnia,  paga  434. 


The  fVar  of  181^15. 


469  **  t 


on  ,in  extensive  scale  vtas  commenced  under  the  direction  of 
Henry  Eckford.  The  enemy  had  at  this  time  a  naval  force  of 
105  guns,  and  890  men.  At  the  request  of  the  governor,  Gen. 
Dodge  detached  to  the  aid  of  Gen.  Brown,  about  the  12th  of 
October,  the  residue  of  Capt.  Forsyth's  company,  and  the  artillery 
companies  of  Captains  Brown,  King  and  Foot,  in  all  160  men, 
with  a  supply  of  munitions,  among  which  were  two  brass  nines, 
one  iron  four,  two  chests  of  ammunition,  260  12  lb.  balls,  300 
9  lb.  do.,  200  6  lb.  do.,  60  muskets,  and  146  lbs.  of  powder. 

Com.  Chauncey  first  appeared  on  the  lake,  on  the  8th  of  No- 
vember, with  his  broad  penant  on  the  Oneida,  16,  Lt.  Woolsey, 
and  having  in  company  the  Conquest,  Lt.  Elliot;  Hamilton,  Lt. 
McPherson;  Gov.  Tompkins,  Lt.  Brown;  Pert,  Mr.  Arundel; 
Julia,  Ml.  Trant,  and  Growler,  Mr.  Mix,  the  three  last  persons 
being  sailing  masters.  These  vessels  together  mounted  40  guns, 
of  different  calibres,  and  numbered  430  men,  including  marines. 
The  object  of  the  expedition  was  to  intercept  the  enemy's  vessels 
on  their  return  from  Fort  George,  whither  they  had  gone  with 
troops  to  reinforce  that  post,  and  from  which  they  were  daily 
expected  to  return  to  Kingston.  The  reputed  force  of  the  ene- 
my's fleet  was  as  follows: 

Th6  ship  Royal  George,  26  guns,  260  men;  ship  Earl  ofMo- 
ira,  18  guns,  200  men;  schooners  Prince  Regent,  18  guns,  150 
men;  Duke  of  Gloucester,  14  guns,  80  men;  Simcoe,  12  guns, 
76  men,  and  Seneca,  4  guns  and  40  men. 

Having  taken  a  station  near  the  False  Ducks,  he  fell  in  with 
the  Royal  George,  26  guns,  and  chased  her  into  the  bay  of  Quin- 
te,  where  she  was  lost  in  the  night.  On  the  morning  of  the  10th, 
he  took  a  small  schooner,  which  he  burnt,  having  got  sight  of 
the  Royal  George  which  he  followed  into  Kingston  harbor,  and 
engaged  her  and  the  batteries  an  hour  and  forty-tive  minutes,  but 
finding  these  stronger  than  anticipated,  night  coming  on  and  a  gale 
of  wind  blowing  in,  he  stood  off  and  anchored.  In  the  morning 
the  wind  continued  so  strong  in  shore  that  he  thought  it  impru- 
dent to  hazard  an  attack,  and  beat  out,  and  soon  after  fell  in 
with  the  Simcoe,  and  chased  her  over  a  reef  of  rocks,  but  so 
disabled  her  with  shot,  that  she  sank  before  getting  along  side 
of  the  dock. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th,  he  took  a  large  schooner  from 
Niagara  bound  in,  and  the  next  morning  sent  down  the  prize 
under  convoy  of  the  Growler,  past  Kingston,  to  induce  the  ship 
to  follow,  but*  without  success.  The  night  of  the  11th  was 
boisterous;  on  the  13th  was  a  severe  snow  storm,  and  on  the  13th 
it  continued  to  snow  fast,  but  little  wind.  The  remainder  of 
this  cruise  we  give  in  the  language  of  Com.  Chauncey,  in  a  let- 
ter to  the  erovernor: 
30 


*'^ 


470 


The  War  of  1812-16. 


^^ 


"  The  Growler  sent  the  prize  in,  and  stood  in  for  the  DuckSf 
where  he  had  orders  to  join  me.  Near  the  Ducks,  he  fell  in  with 
the  Earl  of  Moira,  convoying  the  sloop  Elizabeth  from  York  to 
Kingston.  Sailing  Master  Mix,  who  commanded  the  Growler, 
run  down  in  a  very  gallant  manner  and  took  possession  of  the 
Elizabeth  within  two  miles  of  the  ship,  and  brought  her  in.  I 
immediately  weighed  and  stood  for  Kingston  in  hopes  to  cut  her 
off,  but  the  elements  were  against  me  again,  for  I  scarcely  had 
left  the  harbor  before  it  blew  a  gale  of  wind,  and  snowed  so 
thick  that  we  frequently  could  not  see  a  mile.  We,  however, 
persevered  to  the  great  danger  of  the  vessels  and  lives  of  the 
crews.  On  the  14th  we  got  sight  of  the  Earl  of  Moira,  entering 
Kingston  harbor,  but  it  blowing  a  gale  of  wind,  we  concluded 
not  to  follow,  and  after  beating  about  almost  all  that  day,  I  made 
the  signal  for  all  the  squadron  to  bear  for  this  place,  where  we 
arrived  on  the  same  evening.  During  these  two  short  cruises 
we  captured  three  vessels,  two  have  arrived,  one  we  burnt,  a 
fourth  was  so  injured  that  she  sunk,  and  we  learn  from  one  who 
came  in  the  flags  yesterday,  that  the  Royal  George  was  so  much 
injured  that  she  had  to  haul  on  shore  to  keep  from  sinking,  hav- 
ing received  several  shots  between  wind  and  water,  several  guns 
disabled,  and  a  number  of  persons  killed  or  wounded,  besides  con- 
siderable injury  (though  not  intentional)  to  the  town.  Amongst 
the  prisoners  is  Capt.  Brock  of  the  29th  regiment,  and  a  relative 
of  the  late  Gen.  Brock,  who  was  returning  from  York  with  part 
of  the  baggage  of  his  deceased  friend.  Our  loss  was  trifling; 
one  man  killed  and  four  wounded,  two  of  the  latter  by  the  burst- 
ing of  a  gun  on  board  of  the  Pert,  the  commander  of  which 
vessel,  Mr.  Arundell,  was  knocked  overbonrd  and  drowned.  The 
damage  done  to  the  rigging  and  sails  not  much,  and  a  few  shot 
in  the  hulls  of  one  of  the  vessels,  but  the  injury  from  which  was 
soon  repaired.  The  Gov.  Tompkins,  Hamilton,  Conquest,  and 
Growler,  are  now  blockading  the  vessels  in  Kingston.  I  am 
taking  on  board  guns  and  stores  for  Niagara,  for  which  place  I 
shall  sail  the  first  wind,  in  company  with  the  Julia,  Pert,  Fair 
American,  Ontario  and  Scourge,  and  I  am  in  great  hopes  that  I 
shall  fall  in  with  the  Prince  Regent,  or  some  of  the  royal  family 
which  are  cruising  about  York.  Had  we  been  one  month  sooner 
we  could  have  taken  every  town  on  this  lake  in  three  weeks, 
but  the  season  is  now  so  tempestuous  that  I  am  apprehensive  we 
can  not  do  much  more  this  winter.  I  am,  however,  ready  to  co- 
operate with  the  army,  and  our  officers  and  men  ^re  anxious  to 
be  engaged." 

This  brilliant  maneuver  conferred  great  credit  upon  those  en- 
gaged, and  called  public  attention  to  the  operations  on  this  fron- 
tier, as  likely  to  afford  a  theatre  for  deeds  of  valor,  that  would 


The  War  of  181^-15. 


471 


confer  honor  upon  the  American  name.  The  spirited  engagement 
in  Kingston  harbor  has  been  compared,  by  Cooper,  to  the  assault 
upon  Tripoli,  in  our  previous  war  with  the  Barbary  States,  to 
which  it  was  not  in  the  least  inferior,  due  allowance  being  made 
for  the  comparative  force  employed.  The  fact  of  the  Royal 
George,  which  was  by  much  the  largest  vessel  that  had  then  been 
built  on  our  inland  waters,  retiring  before  the  Oneida,  has  been 
ascribed*  to  her  not  being  properly  officered.  The  British  had 
not  then  made  their  drafts  upon  the  royal  navy  for  the  service  of 
the  lakes. 

A  singularly  romantic  incident,  remarkable  in  its  coinciden- 
ces, and  verifying  the  proverb  that  truth  is  stranger  than  fiC' 
tion,  was  related  to  the  author,  by  onef  who  was  intimately 
acquainted  with  the  facts,  and  whose  reputation  for  veracity  and 
correctness,  is  above  suspicion.  His  memory  appears  strong  and 
unclouded,  and  a  life  time  spent  in  the  naval  service,  has  adbrded 
unusual  facilities  for  becoming  acquainted  with  the  lights  and 
shades  that  checker  the  life  of  the  mariner. 

Tom  Garnet  was  the  son  of  an  English  farmer,  living  about 
forty  miles  from  Liverpool,  who  conducted  a  large  farm  with 
much  success,  and  had  acquired  more  of  the  conveniences  and 
luxuries  of  life  than  the  average  of  that  class  in  England.  As 
his  family  became  of  age,  they  were  comfortably  provided  with 
the  means  of  starting  in  life,  with  the  same  advantages  they  en- 
joyed at  hom  ,  and  which  an  early,  careful  and  correct  educa- 
tion had  instructed  them  to  employ  with  the  greatest  advantage. 
Tom  had  arrived  at  manhood,  and,  in  the  natural  course  of  hu- 
man events,  had  felt  and  acknowledged  the  truth,  that  it  is  not 
well  for  man  to  live  alone;  in  short,  he  chose  a  partner  with 
whom  to  travel  the  journey  of  life,  to  afford  mutual  assistance,  in 
lightening  the  burdens,  and  sharing  the  pleasures  of  the  pilgrim- 
age. The  ceremony  being  completed,  he  was  sent  by  his  father 
to  Liverpool,  with  an  ox  cart  laden  with  wheat,  to  exchange  for 
household  furniture,  and  articles  necessary  for  an  outfit,  and, 
doubtless,  en  the  way,  his  fancy  picturec!  the  pleasant  surprise 
that  on  his  return  he  would  occasion,  by  the  present  to  his  bride 
of  some  unexpected  trifle,  some  token  of  affection,  and  cviJence 
that  her  memory  had  not  been  absent  from  him. 

Ke  had  been  but  a  short  time  in  town,  when  he  was  rudely 
seized  by  a  press  gang,  and  despite  of  his  entreaties  and  resist- 
ance, was  taken  on  board  a  frigate  about  to  sail  for  the  East 

*  Naval  History  of  the  United  States,  by  J.  Fennimore  Cooper,  ii,  333. 

t  Captain  Augustus  Ford,  of  Sackets  Harbor.  He  was  born  in  1772,  and 
in  bis  boyhood  served  in  the  continental  frigate  Wathington,  and  afterwards 
in  several  privateers.  In  1793,  he  first  came  to  Oswego,  and  from  1796  down 
to  a  late  period,  has  been  connected  with  the  navigation  of  this  lake.  He  was 
commissioned  as  sailine  master,  March  28.  1810.  and  served  under  Woolsey. 


1 

m 

1 

U4 

ra 

9 

M 

wh- 

n 

HM 

S^S 

1 

IS^R 

1 

s 


> 


472 


T^fTaro/ 1812-15. 


Indies,  his  cart  and  oxen  remaining  in  the  streets,  and  himself 
unable  to  send  a  single  word  home,  to  relieve  the  dreadful  anxi- 
ety that  his  protracted  absence  would  occasion. 

During  seven  long  weary  years  he  was  detained  abroad,  with- 
out exchanging  one  letter  with  home,  or  knowing  whether  those 
most  dear  were  dead  or  living;  when,  at  length,  sun-burnt  by 
tropical  heat,  and,  by  hard  service,  so  worn  and  haggard  as 
scarcely  to  be  recognized,  he  was  landed  at  Liverpool,  and  paid 
his  hard-earned  wages,  which  he  had  carefully  saved  by  avoid- 
ing all  those  vices  that  sailors  too  frequently  acquire;  and, 
with  a  light  heart,  set  his  face  homeward,  wondering  what 
the  changes  of  seven  ^ears  might  have  wrought  in  his  home. 
On  the  approach  of  night,  fearing  to  call  at  an  inn,  lest  his 
dress  and  appearance  should  excite  suspicion  that  he  was  a  de- 
serter from  the  navy,  he  crept  into  a  nook,  under  a  stack  of  straw, 
and  spent  the  night.  In  the  morning,  there  being  a  dense  fog,  and 
not  knowing  the  course  he  was  going,  he  fell  into  the  midst  of 
another  press  gang,  who,  in  spite  of  entreaties,  again  carried 
him  to  the  fleet,  and  he  was  soon  under  way  to  the  coast  of  South 
America.  After  several  years,  finding  an  opportunity,  he  reached 
the  shore,  and  f!ed;  crossed  the  Andes,  and,  at  length,  reaching 
another  port,  and  finding  no  other  opportunity  of  leaving,  he 
enlisted  in  an  American  ship  of  war  for  a  few  months,  and  soon 
after  sailed  for  the  United  States.  His  crew  were  soon  detailed 
for  service  on  lake  Ontario,  and  he  arrived  at  Sackets  Harbor,  in 
the  fall  of  1812,  and  became  one  of  the  crew  of  the  Oneida,  un- 
der Woolsey.  Here  our  informant  became  acquainted  with  him, 
it  having  been  twenty  years  since  he  was  first  abducted,  during 
which  time  not  one  word  had  been  received  from  home.  He 
was  of  a  kind,  cheerful,  and  obliging  disposition;  was  strictly 
temperate,  used  no  profane  language,  and  was  made  captain  of 
the  forecastle,  from  the  entire  confidence  that  was  placed  in  his 
capacity  and  fidelity.  In  short,  Tom  Garnet  was  the  universal 
favorite  of  the  brig,  and  both  officers  and  men  became  strongly 
attached  to  him  for  his  kindness  of  heart,  intelligence,  and  moral 
worth. 

On  the  morning  before  the  fleet  of  Chauncey  sailed  to  meet  the 
enemy  near  Kingston,  Tom  related  to  his  comrades  a  dream  he 
had  the  night  before,  in  which  he  thought  his  wife  appeared  to 
him,  as  a  disembodied  spirit,  in  heaven,  with  a  son,  whom  he 
had  never  seen,  and  told  him  that  he  would  soon  join  them.  His 
story  was  treated  with  levity;  but  the  calm  and  serious  earnest- 
ness with  which  he  related  it,  and  the  evident  conviction  he  felt 
of  its  reality,  checked  that  hilarity  that  might  otherwise  have 
attended  the  announcement  that  he  was  to  be  the  first  man  killed 
on  board  the  fleet.    He  proceeded  to  divide  his  wardrobe  among 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


473 


his  companions,  and  gave  instructions  about  the  the  little  pro- 
perty he  possessed,  as  would  one  to  whom  death  was  a  certain 
doom;  yet  his  cheerfulness  and  alacrity  was  unabated,  and,  al- 
though he  evidently  believed  in  the  presentiment  he  expressed, 
he  seemed  to  be  exhilarated  with  the  welcome  prospect  of  meeting 
the  long-lost  and  dear  partner  of  early  hopes  blasted,  the  object 
on  which  his  memories  had  centered,  and  the  only  one  for  whom 
he  had  desired  to  live.  Chauncey's  fleet  sailed,  and  engaged 
the  enemy's  batteries  in  the  harbor  of  Kingston,  as  above  related; 
the  first  shot  from  which  was  a  nine  pound  ball  that  crossed  the 
deck  of  ^he  Oneida,  and  passed  through  the  body  of  Tom  Garnet, 
at  his  post.  He  fell  instantly  dead,  with  the  same  smile  upon 
his  countenance  that  habit  had  impressed.  This  singular  coin- 
cidence, and  verification  of  presentiment,  is  so  well  attested  by 
authentic  witnesses  that  it  merits  the  attention  of  the  curious. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  the  ship  Madison  was  launched  at 
Sackets  Harbor,  having  been  built  in  forty-five  days.  Fort  Tomp- 
kins had  been  built  during  the  simmer  previous,  and  stood  on  the 
plain  fronting  the  bay,  near  the  present  ship-house.  Temporary 
barracks  had  also  been  fitted  up,  under  the  directions  of  Major 
Darby  Noon.  Late  in  November,  the  fleet  attempted  to  gain 
the  head  of  the  lake,  but  was  driven  back  in  a  gale,  the  Growl- 
er was  dismasted,  and  the  fleet  greatly  endangered  by  the  ice. 
Early  in  December,  the  navigation  closed  for  the  season,  and 
the  winter  was  spent  on  both  sides  of  the  lake  in  active  prepa- 
rations for  the  ensuing  campaign.  "  In  the  cuurse  of  the  autumn, 
the  Americans  had  increased  their  force  to  eleven  sail,  ten  of 
which  were  the  small  schooners  bought  from  the  merchants,  and 
fitted  with  gun-boat  armaments,  without  quarters.  In  addition 
to  the  vessds  already  named,  were  the  Ontario,  Scourge,  Fair 
American,  and  Asp.  Neither  of  the  ten  were  fit  to  cruise,  and 
an  ordinary  eighteen-gun  brig  ought  to  have  been  able  to  cope 
with  them  all,  in  a  good  working  breeze,  in  close  quarters.  At 
long  shot,  however,  and  in  smooth  water,  they  were  not  without 
a  certain  efliciency.  As  was  proved  in  the  end,  in  attacking  bat- 
teries and  in  covering  descents,  they  were  even  found  to  be  ex- 
ceedingly serviceable." — Cooper's  J^aval  History. 

In  the  cabinet  at  Washington,  a  plan  of  operations  against 
Canada  in  the  ensuing  season,  began  to  be  discussed  early  in 
February,  and  an  attack  upon  Kingston  was  to  make  an  early 
and  prominent  part  of  these  moveuients.  The  general  outline  of 
the  campaign  was  communicated  to  General  Dearborn,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, on  the  10th  of  February,  which  directed  4,000 
t  roops  to  be  assembled  at  Sackets  Harbor,  and  3,000  at  Buffalo. 
The  former  of  these  was  to  be  landed  at  Kingston,  and  after  secur- 
incr  that  clace  and  the  shinninrf  tonroceedtoYorkiWiththeYisw 


; 


\ 


474 


The  War  o/ 1812-16. 


of  seizing  the  stores  there  collected,  and  the  two  frigates  said  to 
be  there  building.  Towards  the  close  of  the  month,  General 
Brown  received  orders  to  call  out  several  hundred  militia,  and 
Colonel  Pike,  then  stationed  on  Lake  Champlain,  was  directed 
to  proceed,  with  four  hundred  of  his  command,  in  sleighs,  by  the 
nearest  and  best  route,  to  Sackets  Harbor.  Captain  Forsyth, 
having  been  driven  out  of  Ogdensburgh  on  the  22d  of  February, 
soon  after  joined  the  forces  at  the  harbor.  Had  Chauncey  ar« 
rived  in  season,  an  attack  upon  Kingston,  by  crossing  on  the  ice, 
would  have  been  attempted;  but  he  was  detained  several  weeks 
in  New  York,  and  his  presence  was  deemed  necessary  in  this 
enterprise. 

General  Dearborn  arrived  about  the  first  of  March,  where  he 
was  informed  that  Sir  George  Prevost,  having  adjourned  the 
provincial  parliament,  and  arrived  in  Kingston,  was  making 
active  preparations  for  offensive  measures;  that  a  force  had  been 
collected  from  Quebec,  Montreal  and  Upper  Canada,  of  from  six 
to  eight  thousand  men,  and  that  an  attack  from  Kingston  might 
be  shortly  expected.  An  express  was  sent  to  hasten  on  the 
troops  destined  for  the  place,  and  the  militia  were  hastily  assem- 
bled to  repel  any  a:*^^tack  that  might  be  made.  The  force  of 
every  description,  «c  Sackets  Harbor  on  the  3d  of  March,  was 
about  3,000  men.  On  the  9th,  General  Dearborn  thus  wrote  to 
the  secretary  of  war: 

Sir:  "Ihave  not  yet  had  the  honor  of  a  visit  from  Sir  G.  Prevost. 
His  whole  force  is  concentrated  at  Kingston,  probably  amounting  to  six 
or  seven  thousand,  about  three  thousand  of  whom  are  regular  troops. 
The  ice  is  good  and  we  expect  him  every  day,  and  every  measure  for 
preventing  a  surprise  is  in  constant  activity.  The  troops  from  Green- 
bush  (upwards  of  400)  have  arrived.  I  have  heard  nothing  from  Pike ; 
he  should  have  been  here  yesterday.  I  have  sent  three  expresses  to 
meet  him ;  neither  has  returned.  I  have  suspicions  of  the  express  em- 
ployed by  the  quarter  master  general  to  convey  the  orders  to  Pike.  The 
earliest  measures  were  taken  to  convey  a  duplicate  of  his  orders.  I 
hope  to  hear  from  him  to  day.  His  arrival  with  800  good  troops  would 
be  very  important  at  this  time.  The  enemy  are  apprized  of  his  movement. 

I  begin  to  entertain  some  doubts  whether  Sir  George  will  venture  to 
attack  us;  but  shall  not  relax  iii  being  prepared  to  give  him  a  decent 
reception.  I  should  feel  easier  if  Pike  should  arrive  in  season.  I  am  in 
want  of  officers  of  experience.  My  whole  force,  exclusive  of  seamen 
and  marines,  who  will  be  confined  to  the  vessels,  and  have  no  share  in 
the  action,  until  my  force  shall  be  worsted,  amounts  to  nearly  3,000, 
exclusive  of  450  militia,  at  Brownville,  and  on  the  rond,  leading  from 
Kingston  by  land.  Within  two  or  three  days  I  may  have  UOO  more  militia, 
from  Rome  and  Uticn. 

The  ice  will  not  probably  be  passable  more  than  from  six  to  ten  days 
longer ;  it  is  not  usually  passable  after  the  15th  of  March.  This  unexpected 
movement  of  the  enemy  will  effectually  oppose  the  movements  on  our 
part,  and  I  shall  not  deem  it  advisable  to  order  Chandler  to  move  at  pre- 
sent.   As  soon  as  the  fall  of  this  place  shall  be  decided,  we  shall  be  able  to 


The  fVar  qf  ISlflr-U. 


473 


determine  on  other  measures.  If  we  hold  this  place,  we  will  command 
the  lake,  and  be  able  to  act  in  concert  with  the  troops  at  Niagara,  while 
Chandler's  brigade,  with  such  other  troops  as  may  pssemble  in  Vermont, 
may  induce  a  return  of  a  considerable  part  ot  those  troops  that  have 
leA  Lower  Canada. 

When  I  ordered  Pike  to  move,  I  directed  General  Chandler  to  have 
the  provision  at  Plattsburgh  moved  to  Burlington.    There  was  a  small 

{>roportion  of  our  magazines  at  Plattsburgh ;  they  are  principally  at  Bur* 
ington  and  Whitehall." 

By  the  14th,  the  apprehensions  of  attack  had  nearly  subsided, 
and  General  Dearborn  again  Avrote  : 

"  From  the  most  recent  and  probable  information  I  have  obtained,  I 
am  induced  to  believe  that  Sir  George  Prevost  thinks  it  is  too  late  to 
attack  this  place.  He  undoubtedly  meditated  a  coup-de-main  against 
the  shipping  here.  All  the  apprehension  is  now  at  Kingston.  Sir  George 
has  visited  York  and  Niagara,  and  returned  to  Montreal.  Several  bodies 
of  troops  have  passed  up  from  Montreal ;  but  such  precautions  have  been 
taken  to  prevent  their  number  being  ascertained,  as  to  render  it  impos- 
sible to  form  any  accurate  opinion  of  their  forces,  or  even  to  imagine 
very  nearly  what  they  amoimt  to.  From  various  sources  I  am  perfectly 
satisfied,  that  tliey  a>'e  not  in  sufficient  force  to  attack  this  place,  knowing, 
as  they  do,  tiiat  we  have  collected  a  fine  body  of  troops  iVom  Greenbusn 
and  Plattsburgh,  and  that  the  militia  have  been  called  in. 

We  are  probably  just  strong  enough  on  each  side  to  defend,  but  not  in 
BUfficient  Ibrce  to  hazard  an  offensive  movement.  The  difference  of 
attacking  and  being  attacked,  as  it  regards  the  contiguous  posts  of  Kings- 
ton  and  Sackets  Harbor,  can  not  be  estimated  at  less  than  three  or  four 
thousand  men,  arising  from  the  circumstance  of  militia  acting  only  on 
the  defensive.  I  have  ordered  General  Chandler  with  the  9th,  21st  and 
95th  regiments  to  march  for  this  place;  Clark's  regiment, and  a  company 
of  artil^ry  to  be  \et\  at  Burlington,  for  the  present,  where  the  regiment 
will  be  filled  in  a  few  weeks.  I  have  ordered  the  recruits  for  the  three 
regiments  that  will  march  for  this  place,  to  be  sent  to  Greenbush,  and 
Colonel  Larned  is  ordered  there  to  receive  them  with  Backus'  dis- 
mounted dragoons,  and  other  detachments  from  Pittsfield. 

On  the  15th  of  March,  a  council  of  war  was  jield,  composed 
of  the  principal  officers  on  the  station,  and  the  attack  upon  King- 
ston was  formally  abandoned  until  the  cooperation  of  the  fleet 
could  be  secured.  The  naval  preparations  necessary  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  these  plans  were  actively  prosecuted  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Eckford,  the  president  having,  on  the  3d  of 
March,  directed  six  sloops  of  war  to  be  built  on  the  la^<;es,  and 
as  many  to  be  bought  as  might  be  needed  for  the  service,  and 
the  sum  of  $900,000  was  appropriated  for  this  object.  Se- 
veral ships  on  the  ocean  were  laid  up  in  our  Atlantic  ports,  and 
their  crews  transferred  to  the  lakes;  the  pay  of  seamen  was  ad- 
vanced twenty-five  per  cent,  and  the  chief  energies  of  the  nation 
appeared  to  be  directed  to  this  frontier,  as  the  probable  theatre 
of  momentous  events  in  the  coming  campaign.  On  the  14th  of 
April,  the  enemy  launched  two  large  vessels,  and  their  naval 
forces  received  large  accessions  from  the  British  nect 


476 


The  fTflro/ 18 12-1&. 


On  the  7th  of  April,  the  brig  Jefferson  was  launched  at  Sack- 
eta  Harbor,  and  on  the  10th,  the  brig  Jones.  On  the  9th,  the 
keel  of  the  General  Pike  was  laid.  The  force  on  the  1st  of 
March  was  said  to  number  nearly  5,000  regulars  and  twelve 
months'  volunteers,  with  1,300  sailors,  and  2,000  militia.  On 
the  28th  of  March,  the  troops  maneuvered  on  the  ice;  and  on 
the  middle  of  April,  the  ice  had  disappeared  from  the  lake.  On 
the  19th,  the  Growler  sailed  out  to  reconnoitre.  Brigadier 
General  John  Chandler  had  arrived  early  in  the  month,  and  the 
forces  assembled  were  thought  sufficient  to  justify  an  attack  upon 
the  enemy.  The  post  at  York,  at  which  place  it  was  understood 
several  vessels  were  building,  was  thought  to  offer  an  eligible 
point  for  beginning  operations,  and  if  taken  would  give  us  the 
command  of  the  lake,  from  whence  our  forces  could  proceed  to 
attack  Fort  George  by  land  and  water,  while  the  troops  at  Buffalo 
should  cross  over  and  carr^  forts  Erie  and  Chippewa,  and  join 
the  army  at  Fort  George,  from  whence  the  combined  forces  might 
concentrate  upon  Kingston  without  the  apprehension  of  an  ene- 
my in  the  rear. 

The  opinion  of  the  secretary  of  war  on  this  subject  is  expressed 
in  a  letter  to  Gen.  Dearborn,  of  March  29th: 

"The  alteration  of  the  plan  of  campaign,  so  as  to  make 
Kingston  the  last  object,  instead  of  making  it  the  first,  would 
appear  to  be  necessary,  or  at  least  proper,  but  the  force  assigned 
to  the  attack  of  the  upper  posts  is  believed  to  be  too  small. 

Accident  may  prevent  a  cooperation  of  the  corps  of  Buffalo. 
That  sent  from  Sackets  Harbor  should  have  in  itself  the  power 
of  reducing  forts  George  and  Erie,  and  holding  in  check  the 
militia  who  may  be  sent  to  support  them. 

The  ships  can  give  little  aid  in  the  business,  except  merely  in 
covering  the  landing.  Double  the  number  you  propose  sending 
would  not  be  too  many.  Various  considerations  recommend  the 
employment  of  a  large  and  decisive  force,  and  none  that  I  can 
tliink  of  dissuade  from  it.  If  our  first  step  in  the  campaign,  and 
in  the  qnarter  from  which  most  is  expected,  should  fail,  the  dis- 
grace of  our  arms  will  be  complete.  The  public  will  lose  all 
confidence  in  us,  and  we  shall  even  cease  to  have  any  in  our- 
selves. The  party  who  first  opens  a  campaign  has  many  ad- 
vantages over  his  antagonist,  all  of  whioh,  however,  are  the 
result  of  his  being  able  to  carry  his  whole  force  against  a  part 
of  the  enemy's. 

Washington  carried  his  whole  force  against  the  Hessians  in 
New  Jersey,  and,  beating  them,  recovered  that  moral  strength, 
that  self-confidence,  he  had  lost  by  many  preceding  disasters. 
We  are  now  in  that  state  of  prostration  that  he  was  in,  after  he 
had  crossed  the  Delaware;  but  like  him,  we  may  soon  get  on  our 


lee 


The  War  o/1813-16. 


477 


legs  again,  if  ive  are  able  to  give  some  hard  blows  at  the  open- 
ing of  the  campaign.  In  this  we  can  not  fail,  provided  the  iorce 
we  employ  against  his  western  posts  be  suihciently  heavy.  They 
roust  stand  or  fall  by  their  own  strength.  They  are  perfectly 
isolated,  and  out  of  the  reach  of  reiinforcements;  send,  therefore, 
a  force  that  shall  overwhelm  them,  that  shall  leave  nothing  to 
chance.  If  I  had  not  another  motive,  I  would  carry  my  whole 
strength,  merely  that  their  first  service  should  be  a  successful 
one.  The  good  effects  of  this  will  be  felt  throughout  the  cam- 
paign. 

I  have  hastened  to  give  you  these  thoughts,  under  a  full  con- 
viction of  their  usefulness;  and  shall  only  add,  that  there  is  no 
drawback  upon  this  policy.  When  the  fleet  and  army  are  gone, 
we  have  nothing  at  Sackets  Harbor  to  guard,  nor  will  the  place 
present  an  object  to  the  enemy. 

How  then  would  it  read,  that  we  had  lost  our  object  on  the 
Niagara,  while  we  had  another  brigade  at  Sackets  Harbor 
doing  nothing?" 

On  the  22d  of  April,  about  1,700  troops  under  the  immediate 
charge  of  General  Z.  M.  Pike,  were  embarked  on  board  the  fleet 
of  Commodore  Chauncey,  the  whole  being  directed  by  General 
Dearborn.  On  the  25th,  the  fleet  sailed,  the  destination  being 
unknown  to  the  most  of  those  on  board. 

On  the  day  the  expedition  left  Sackets  Harbor,  the  following 
Brigade  Order  was  issued  by  General  Pike: 

"  When  the  debarkation  shall  take  place  on  the  enemy's  shore,  Major 
Forsyth's  light  troopi,  formed  in  four  platoons,  shall  be  first  landed. 
They  will  advance  a  small  distance  from  the  shore,  and  form  the  chain 
to  cover  the  landing  of  the  troops.  They  will  not  fire,  unless  they  dis- 
cover the  approach  of  a  body  of  the  enemy,  but  will  make  pmoner*  of 
every  person  who  may  be  passing,  and  sen -J  to  the  general.  They  will  be 
followed  by  the  regimental  platoons  of  th<i  first  brigade,  with  two  pieces 
of  Brook's  artillery,  one  on  the  right  and  one  on  the  left  flank,  covered 
by  their  musketry,  and  the  small  detachments  of  riflemen,  of  the  15th 
and  16th  infantry.  Then  will  be  landed  the  three  platoons  of  the  reserve 
of  the  flrst  brigade,  under  Major  Swan ;  then  Major  Eustis,  with  his  train 
of  artillery,  covered  by  his  own  musketry ;  then  Colonel  M'Clure's  vol- 
unteers in  four  platoons,  followed  by  the  21st  regiment,  in  six  platoons. 
When  the  troops  shall  move  in  column,  either  to  meet  the  enemy  or  take 
a  position,  it  will  be  in  the  following  order,  viz:  1st,  Forsyth's  riflemen, 
with  proper  front  and  flank  guards ;  the  regiments  of  the  flrst  brigade, 
with  their  pieces;  then  three  platoons  of  reserve;  Major  Eustis's  train  of 
artillery;  volunteer  corps;  twenty-flrst  regiment;  each  corps  sending  out 
proper  flank-guards.  When  the  enemy  shall  be  discovered  in  front,  the 
riflemen  will  ibrm  the  chain,  and  maintain  their  ground,  until  they  have 
the  signal  (the  preparative)  or  receive  orders  to  retire,  at  which  they  will 
retreat  with  the  greatest  velocity,  and  form  equally  on  the  two  flanks  of 
the  regiments  of  the  flrst  brigade,  and  then  renew  their  Are.  The  three 
reserve  platoons  of  this  line  will  form  under  the  orders  of  Major  Swan, 
one  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  colors,  ready  to  support  any  part 


if- 


1 


478 


The  fTar  qf  iSli-lB. 


which  mny  show  an  iitisindy  countenance.  Major  Euatie  ami  his  Irain 
will  form  in  the  rear  of  tliis  roaerve,  ready  to  act  where  cirouniBtauceii 
ninv  ilictnto. 

Thi'  xecond  line  will  be  composed  of  the  31it  infantry,  in  nix  platoons, 
flanked  by  Colonel  IVl'Cliire's  volinitoers,  equally  divided,  ai  light  troops, 
the   whole  under  tin  orders  of  Colonel  Kipley. 

It  is  expected  that  ever^  corps  will  be  mindful  of  the  honor  of  the 
American  anna,  iind  the  disgraces  which  have  recently  tarnished  our 
arms ;  and  endeavor,  by  a  cool  and  determined  discharge  of  their  duty, 
to  Hiipport  the  one  and  wine  off  the  other.  The  riflemen  in  front  will 
maintain  their  ground  at  all  hazards,  until  ordered  to  retire,  as  will  ntty 
eorp$  <{/'  ihe  army.  With  an  assurance  of  being  duly  supported,  shoulil 
the  commanding  general  And  it  prudent  to  withdraw  the  fl-ont  line,  he 
will  give  orders  to  retire  by  the  heads  of  platoons,  covered  by  the  riHe- 
men ;  and  the  aecond  line  will  advance  by  tne  heads  of  platooi  4,  pat  titi 
intervals,  and  form  the  line ;  call  in  the  light  troops,  and  renew  '  '  • 
tion :  but  the  general  may  And  it  proper  to  bring  up  the  second  lint,  on 
one  or  both  flanks,  to  charge  in  columns,  or  perform  a  variety  of  maneu- 
vers which  it  would  1h3  impossible  to  foresee.  But  an  a  general  rule, 
whatever  may  be  the  directions  of  line  at  the  commeiicoment  of  the  ac- 
tion, the  corps  will  form  as  before  directed.  If  they  then  advance  in 
line,  it  may  be  in  parallel  echelons  of  platoons,  or  otherwise,  os  the 
ground  or  circumstances  may  dictote. 

No  man  will  load  until  ordered,  except  the  lisht  troops  in  front,  until 
within  a  short  distance  of  the  enemy, and  then  marge  bayonets;  thus  let- 
ting the  enemy  see,  that  we  can  meet  them  with  their  own  weapons. 
Any  man^fl^,  or  quitting  his  post,  toithout  orders,  mutt  be  put  to  instant 
death,  as  un  example  may  be  necessary.  Platoon  officers  will  pay  the 
greatest  attention  to  \h<.  coolness  and  aim  of  their  men  in  the  Are;  their 
regtUarity  and  dressi'i^,'  in  the  charge.  The  field  officers  will  watch  over 
the  conduct  of  thr  whole.  Courage  and  bravery  in  the  field  do  not  more 
distinguish  the  boldier,  than  humanity  after  victory ;  and  whatever  ex- 
am|>les  the  savage  allies  of  our  enemies  may  have  given  us,  the  general 
confidently  hopes,  that  the  blood  of  an  unresisting  or  yielding  enemy, 
will  never  stain  the  weapons  of  the  soldiers  of  his  column. 

The  unoffending  citizens  of  Canada  are  many  of  them  our  own  coun- 
trymen, and  the  poor  Canadians  have  been  forced  into  the  war.  Their 
property,  therefore,  must  be  held  sacred;  and  any  «oUier  who  shall  so 
far  neglect  the  honor  of  his  profession  as  to  be  guilty  of  plundering  the 
inhabitants,  shall,  if  convicted,  be  punished  with  death.  But  the  com- 
manding general  assures  the  troops,  that  should  they  capture  a  large 
quantity  of  public  stores,  he  will  use  his  best  ondeavors  to  procure  them 
a  reward  from  his  government. 

This  order  shall  In    read  at  the  heod  of '3.1011  "o'n»    =nd  even 
officer  shall  carry  a  copy,  in  order  that  he  la:  y  H  i.nv   ..oment  reier  to 
it,  and  give  explanations  to  his  subordinatcb. 

All  those  found  in  arms  in  the  enemy's  country,  shall  be  treated  as 
enemies;  but  those  who  are  peaceably  following  the  pursuits  of  their  va- 
rious vocations,  friends — and  their  property  respected." 

York,  now  the  city  of  Toronto,  and  then  the  capital  of  Upper 
Cantmia,  is  situated  on  the  north  shore  of  the  lake,  a  little  west 
of  Wii  meridian  of  Niagara,  and  was  founded  by  Governor  Sim- 
Li)!) ,  in  1793.  as  the  provincial  capital.  It  is  situated  on  a  small 
bay,  formed  jy  a  low,  narrow,  sandy  peninsula,  stretching  from 


Ih 


III 

ii;  ; 

III 


Th0  pyar  o/ 1812-15. 


479 


the  east  in  an  obllqH'^  directiou,  ^or  about  six  miles,  anj  termi- 
nating in  a  curved  puint,  nearly  a  mile'  west  of  the  town,  opposite 
the  site  of  the  barracks.  It  then  had  about  thrt^e  hundred  houses, 
built  mostly  of  wood,  and  nui  ly  buildings  belonging  tn  govern- 
ment. 

The  following  account  of  the  capture  of  the  place,  we  derive 
from  a  letter  written  on  the  special  injunction  of  Gener.O  Pike, 
by  one  of  his  companions  in  arras,  who  fell  wounded  b)  his  side. 
It  was  published  soon  after  in  the  Aurora,  and  other  papers: 

*'  Without  the  honor  of  a  personal  acquaintance,  1  address  you 
at  the  particular  order  of  the  late  General  Pike,  after  he  had 
been  mortally  wounded;  his  words  were  exactly  these:  [  an 
mortally  vjounded;  my  ribs  and  back  are  stove  in;  write  my 

friend  D ,  and  tell  him  what  you  know  of  the  battle,  and 

comfort  my — .  Some  things  else  he  said,  on  which  I  shall 
again  write  you;  and  many  things  he  said  for  your  rar  have  es- 
caped me,  through  the  severity  of  my  own  bruises.  As  an  order 
from  General  Pike,  while  living,  was  an  obligation  'f  duty  for 
me  to  obey,  I  shall  hardly  disregard  his  injunctions,  e\  en  though 
we  have  parted  forever. 

We  embarked  on  the  22d  and  23d  of  April,  but  the  weather 
being  stormy,  we  returned  into  port,  and  sailed  again  on  the 
25th,  and  arrived  at  York,  in  Upper  Canada,  on  the  27th,  about 
seven  o'clock,  a.  m.,  and  immediately  prepared  to .  land  (  pposite 
the  old  site  of  Fort  Toronto.  A  body  of  British  grenadiers  were 
paraded  on  the  shore,  and  the  Glengary  Fencibles,  a  corps  which 
bad  been  disciplined  with  great  pains,  for  six  months  pa  l,  ap- 
peared at  another  point.  Bodies  of  Indians  were  percci  >  ed  in 
large  groups,  in  different  directions,  and  a  considerable  number 
in  some  woods  and  underwoods  on  our  leeward  flank,  .'bout 
the  site  of  the  old  French  fort  of  Toronto,  of  which  scarcel}  any 
vestiges  at  present  remain,  we  could  discern  a  few  horsemen, 
who  we  perceived  afterwards  moving  into  the  town,  where  stong 
field  worKs  had  been  thrown  up  to  oppose  our  landing.  As ,  :)on 
as  the  horsemen  had  entered  the  town,  we  saw  the  Indians  n  ov- 
ing  in  gangs  along  the  skirts  of  the  woods,  under  the  direct  on 
of  British  ofTiceFs,  taking  posts  at  stations  pointed  out  to  them, 
apparently  calculated  with  some  skill  as  to  the  point  at  which  the 
water  and  the  weather  must  compel  us  to  land. 

After  these  Indians,  acting  as  tirailleurs,  were  thus  disposed,  we 
perceived  very  distinctly,  the  regulars  moving  out  of  their  works 
in  open  columns  of  platoons,  and  marching  along  the  bank  in 
that  order.  When  they  reached  the  plain  of  the  old  forr, 
Toronto,  they  were  wheeled  off  by  heads  of  platoons  into  the 
woods,  and  soon  appeared  in  the  same  order  below  the  plain, 
just  at  the  position  where  our  troops  were  under  the  necessity  of 


!!i 


480 


The  fVar  of  1812-15. 


landing.  Major  Forsyth  and  his  excellent  and  gallant  rifle 
corps,  who  had  been  placed  in  two  large  bateaux,  pulled  un- 
dauntedly towards  the  clear  ground,  where  he  had  been  ordered 
to  land;  but  he  was  forced  by  the  strength  of  the  wind,  a  con- 
siderable distance  below  his  destined  point.  The  fire  of  musket- 
ry and  rifles  here  commenced  from  the  shore;  the  enemy  being 
within  a  few  feet  of  the  water,  and  in  a  considerable  degree 
masked  by  the  woods  and  copse. 

Here  Major  Forsyth  ordered  his  men  to  rest  for  a  few  moments 
upon  their  oars,  and  soon  opened  a  galling  fire  upon  the  enemy. 
In  the  moment  while  Forsyth's  men  were  lying  on  their  oars,  and 
priming,  General  Pike  was  standing  on  the  deck,  and  impatient 
at  the  apparent  pause  of  an  instant,  and  seeing  that  the  rifle 
corps  had  been  driven  by  the  wind  beyond  the  point  at  which 

they  were  to  have  embarked,  he  exclaimed:  'By !  I  can't 

stay  here  any  longer!'  and  addressing  himself  to  his  staff",  'come, 
jump  into  the  boat,'  which  we  immediately  did;  the  commodore 
having  reserved  a  boat  specially  for  him  and  his  suite.  The  lit- 
tle coxswain  was  ordered  immediately  to  steer  for  the  middle  of 
the  fray,  and  the  balls  whistled  gloriously  around;  probably 
their  number  was  owing  to  seeing  so  many  officers  in  the  same 
boat;  but  we  laughed  at  their  clumsy  efforts  as  we  pressed  for- 
ward with  well-pulled  oars. 

The  infantry  had,  according  to  orders,  embarked  at  the  same 
time,  and  formed  platoons  as  they  reached  the  shore.  The  ge- 
neral took  command  of  the  first  platoon  he  reached,  and  formed 
it  below,  and  ordered  the  whole  to  prepare  for  a  charge  as  soon 
as  we  reached  the  top  of  the  bank.  We  proceeded  in  high  spir- 
its, and  mounted  the  bank  under  a  volley  of  their  musketry  and 
rifle  shot;  b\it  we  had  not  time  to  form  our  platoon  completely, 
when  the  British  grenadiers  showed  us  their  backs.  At  the  very 
moment  of  their  turning  tail  upon  us,  the  sound  of  Forsyth's  bu- 
gles was  heard  with  peculiar  delight,  as  it  was  the  indication  of 
his  success.  The  effect  of  the  bugle  upon  the  nerves  of  the 
British  Indian  allies  was  electric;  for  they  no  sooner  heard  it 
than  they  gave  a  diabolical  yell,  and  fled  in  all  directions.  The 
Glengary  corps  skirmished  with  Forsyth's,  while  the  infantry 
were  landing,  and  Brigade-Major  Hunter  formed  the  troops  for 
action  as  they  landed  and  reached  the  plain.  The  volunteer 
corps,  commanded  by  Colonel  Maclure,  flanked  the  reserve,  and 
the  light  artillery,  commanded  by  Major  Eustis,  acting  as  infan- 
try, covered  the  left. 

It  is  proper  to  state  in  this  place,  the  gallant  and  masterly  co- 
operation of  Commodore  Chauncey,  and  the  naval  squadron 
under  his  command.  He  sent  his  schooners,  mounting  heavy 
metal,  to  cover  the  landing,  and  kept  up  so  well-directed,  and 


in 

01 

to 


The  War  of  1812^15. 


481 


incessant  a  fire  of  grape  on  the  woods,  as  to  effectually  cover 
our  right  flank  and  afl'ord  us  great  facility  in  forming  our  pla- 
toons, besides  producing  the  utmost  consternation  arpong  the 
Indians.  A  shot  from  one  of  the  schooners  killed  a  horse  under 
the  aid  of  the  British  general;  but  owing  to  the  shallowness  of 
the  water,  neither  the  ship  nor  the  brig  could  be  brought  in  to 
participate  in  the  action;  but  the  commodore  himself  was,  through 
the  whole  of  the  action,  in  his  boat,  encouraging,  and  giving 
orders  to  the  different  schooners.  The  navy  lost  two  gallant 
midshipmen,  and  about  twenty  seamen  were  killed  and  wounded 
in  the  service  of  landing  us.  The  troops  ordered  to  land  by  General 
Pike,  when  he  went  on  shore,  were  the  three  companies  of  Captain 
Hopsock  (who  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  boat).  Captain 
Scott,  and  Captain  Young,  of  the  15th  regiment,  United  States 
infantry,  all  under  the  command  of  Major  King,  of  the  same  re- 
giment (the  same  who  gallantly  distinguished  himself  at  Queens- 
town). 

Their  orders  were  to  reinforce  Major  Forsyth,  and  effect  a 
landing,  and  they  were  forbidden  to  load  or  use  powder.  The 
riflemen  of  Forsyth,  as  the  infantry  came  up,  opened  a  heavy 
and  effectual  fire  upon  the  enemy,  and  the  three  companies  landed 
in  the  most  complete  style.  The  enemy  gave  way  before  our 
troops  could  come  to  the  bayonet's  point,  and  were  pursued  up 
the  bank  by  our  troops.  At  the  top  of  the  bank  a  fresh  body 
of  British  grenadiers  (said  to  be  the  8th,  or  king's  grenadiers) 
made  a  formidable  charge  upon  this  column  of  ours,  and  com- 
pelled us,  for  an  instant,  to  retire;  but  our  troops  instantly  ral- 
lied and  returned  to  the  charge,  and  with  the  most  complete 
success.  Not  a  man  of  the  grenadiers  escaped  our  fire  or  charge; 
and  our  troops,  just  reinforced  by  the  remainder  of  the  15th, 
remained  undisturbed  masters  of  the  bank.  This  reinforcement 
brought  the  colors  of  the  15th,  which  accompanied  the  platoon 
of  Captain  Steele.  The  enemy  presented  a  fresh  front;  the  troops 
were  instantly  formed  for  the  charge  by  Major  King,  who  gave 
them  Yankee  Doodle;  but  the  enemy  did  not  like  our  music,  nor 
our  pikes,  any  better  than  our  rifles;  they  gave  way,  and  fled  in 
the  utmost  disorder. 

As  soon  as  our  force  were  all  landed  and  collected,  we  were 
formed  into  platoons,  and  marched  in  that  order  towards  the  en- 
emy's works,  flanked  by  the  rifle  corps.  Our  march  was  by  the 
lake  road,  in  sections;  but  the  route  was  so  much  intersected  by 
streams  and  rivulets,  the  bridges,  over  which,  had  been  destroyed 
by  the  enemy  as  they  retreated,  that  we  were  considerably  re- 
tarded in  our  progress.  We  collected  logs,  and,  by  severe  efforts, 
at  length,  contrived  to  pass  over  one  field  piece  and  a  howitzer, 
which  were  placed  at  the  bead  of  our  column-  in  charge  of 


I 


I- 


lii 


u 


I 


\W' 


483 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


Captain  Fanning,  of  the  3d  artillery,  and  thus  we  proceeded 
through  a  spacious  wood,  as  we  merged  from  which,  we  were 
saluted  by  a  battery  of  24  pounders;  but,  except  some  pikes 
broken  and  some  bayonets  bent,  these  guns  gave  us  no  annoyance. 
The  general  then  ordered  one  of  his  aids  (Frazer)  and  a  ser- 
geant, to  proceed  to  the  right  of  the  battery,  in  order  to  discover 
how  many  men  were  in  the  works.  We  did  so,  and  reported  to 
him  the  number,  and  that  they  were  spiking  their  own  guns 
towards  the  shipping. 

The  general  immediately  ordered  Captain  Walworth,  of  the 
16th,  with  his  company  of  grenadiers,  to  make  the  assault.  Wal- 
worth gallantly  ordered  his  men  to  trail  arms,  and  advanced 
at  the  accelerated  pace,  but  at  the  moment  they  were  ordered  to 
recover^  and  charge  the  enemy,  the  enemy  broke  in  the  utmost 
confusion,  leaving"  several  men  wounded,  on  the  ground,  which 
they  abandoned.  We  then  proceeded  in  admirable  order  on  a 
gradual  ascent,  when  a  fire  was  opened  upon  us  of  round  and 
cannister,  from  the  quarters  of  the  British  governor.  The  gene- 
ral here  ordered  the  troops  to  lie  close,  while  the  artillery  batte- 
ry under  Major  Eustis  was  brought  to  the  front,  and  silenced  the 
enemy's  battery. 

The  firing  very  soon  ceased  altogether,  and  we  were  expect- 
ing a  flag  of  surrender,  at  the  very  moment  when  a  terrible  ex- 
plosion of  the  British  magazine  took  place.*  The  explosion 
was  stupendous  and  awful,  and  at  the  instant  the  common  sup- 
position was  a  subterranean  mine.  The  general  had  just  aided 
in  removing  a  wounded  man,  with  his  own  hands,  and  sat  down 
on  a  stump  with  a  British  sergeant  we  had  taken  prisoner,  whom 
the  general,  with  Captain  Nicholson  and  myself,  were  examin- 
ing, when  the  explosion  took  place.  The  general,  Captain  Nich- 
olson and  the  British  sergeant,  were  all  mortally  wounded;  and 
I  was  so  much  injured  in  the  general  crash,  that  it  is  surprising 
how  I  survived;  probably  I  owe  my  escape  to  the  corpulency  of 
the  British  sergeant,  whose  body  was  thrown  upon  mine  by  the 
concussion. 

Brigade-Major  Hunt,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mitchell, 
of  the  third  artillery,  who  acted  as  a  volunteer  on  the  expedi- 
tion, formed  the  troops,  and  were  ready  to  give  or  receive  a 
charge,  in  five  minutes  after  the  explosion. 

The  wounds  of  General  Pike  were  of  such  a  nature  as  to  dis- 
qua'-fy  him  from  all  further  service,  and  the  command  devolved 
on  Colonel  Pearce  of  the  16th  infantry,  as  the  senior  officer,  who 
sent  a  flag  demanding  an  immediate  surrender  at  discretion. 
They  made  only  one  stipulation,  which  was  granted  without  hesi- 


*  The  magazine  contained  500  barrels  of  powder,  many  cart  loads  of  stone, 
and  an  immense  quantity  of  iron  shells  and  shot. 


The  fVar  of  1812-15. 


483 


tation — that  private  property  should  be  respected.  The  British 
general  made  his  escape,  and  a  body  of  regular  troops  with  hira 
— in  what  direction  I  have  not  heard. 

When  the  surgeons  were  carrying  their  wounded  general  and 
his  aids  from  the  field,  our  troops,  which  had  just  formed,  gave 
a  tremendous  huzza!  The  general  turned  his  head  anxiously,  to 
enquirewhatthat  was  for;  asergeant,who  accompanied  him,  said — 
The  British  union-jack  is  coming  down,  General;  the  stars  are  go- 
ing up; — he  heaved  a  heavy  sigh  of  ecstacy,  and  smiled,  even 
amidst  the  anguish  which  must  have  been  inseparable  from  the 
state  of  his  wounds.  He  was  carried  on  board  the  Pert  schooner, 
together  with  his  aid-de-camp,  Frazer,  and  thence  on  board  the 
commodore's  ship,  accompanied  by  the  commodore,  who  came  to 
attend  him.  On  board  the  commodore's  ship  his  gallant  spirit 
fled,  another  Montgomery  in  fate;  not,  indeed,  perishing  by  the 
valor  of  a  gallant  foe,  but  falling,  even  in  the  arms  of  victory, 
by  the  barbarous  revenge  of  a  baffled  and  defeated  enemy. 

As  the  general  was  breathing  his  last,  the  British  standard 
was  brought  to  him;  he  made  a  sign  to  have  it  placed  under  his 
head,  and  died  without  a  groan,  though  his  sufferings  must  have 
been  extremely  severe. 

General  Pike's  body  was  embalmed  at  York,  and  conveyed  to 
Sackets  Harbor,  where  it  was  interred  in  the  magazine  of  Fort 
Tompkins,  with  all  the  stately  pomp  of  military  honor,  amidst 
the  regrets  of  every  good  man.  Captain  Nicholson,  of  Mary- 
land (an  inestimable  young  man,  who  was  killed  by  his  side), 
his  beloved  aid  and  pupil,  was  buried  in  the  same  grave,  and  at 
the  same  time,  by  order  of  the  commanding  general,  in  testimony 
of  his  respect  for  the  deceased." 

General  Sheaffe  commanded  the  British  troops,  militia  and 
Indians.  Previous  to  the  explosion  the  enemy  had  retired  into 
the  town,  except  a  party  of  regulars,  who  were  a  little  too  lat2, 
and  it  is  said  that  about  forty  of  them  were  killed  by  the  ex- 
plosion. General  Sheaffe  moved  off  with  the  regulars,  leaving 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  militia  to  make  such  terms  of 
surrender  as  he  could.  No  resistance  was  offered  after  the  ex- 
plosion. 

The  Duke  of  Gloucester,  in  port  undergoing  repairs,  and  seve- 
ral gun  boats,  with  an  immense  quantity  of  provisions  and  naval 
stores,  were  the  fruits  of  this  capture.  A  large  ship  on  the  stocks 
and  nearly  planked  up,  and  a  quantity  of  naval  stores  were  fired 
by  the  enemy  upon  their  retreat.  There  not  being  a  sufficient 
number  of  transports  to  remove  the  prisoners,  about  five  hundred 
were  released  upon  their  parol.  General  Sheaffe's  baggage  and 
papers  fell  into  the  hands  of  General  Dearborn;  and  a  human 
scalp  was  found  suspended,  with  the  mace,  over  the  chair  of  the 
sneaker,  in  the  leerislative  council  chamber. 


I    J 


?■*■■■ 


W:  .. 


Ifll  1 


1: 


;:  ' 


484 


The  War  of  1812-16. 


The  following  account  of  killed  and  wounded  was  ^oon  after 
published: 

By  the  Americans,  in  the  battle,  14  killed  and  32  wounded;  by 
the  explosion,  38  killed  and  222  wounded;  by  the  British,  200 
killed  and  wounded.  700  prisoners  of  militia,  and  50  regulars. 
Of  the  navy,  11  sailors  were  killed  and  14  wounded. 

General  Boyd  was  soon  after  assigned  the  command  of  the 
brigade  of  General  Pike.  The  government  barracks,  &c.,  were 
destroyed. 

The  terms  of  surrender  were  as  follows  : 

"  I'hat  the  troops,  regular  and  militia,  at  this  post,  and  the  na- 
val officers  and  seamen,  shall  be  surrendered  prisoners  of  war. 

The  troops,  regular  and  militia,  to  ground  their  arms  immedi- 
ately on  parade,  and  the  naval  officers  and  seamen  to  be  imme- 
diately surrendered.  That  all  public  stores,  naval  and  military, 
shall  be  immediately  given  up  to  the  commanding  officers  of  the 
army  and  navy  of  the  United  States;  that  all  private  property 
shall  be  guaranteed  to  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  York;  that  all 
papers  belonging  to  the  civil  officers  shall  be  retained  by  them; 
that  such  surgeons  as  may  be  procured  to  attend  the  wounded  of 
the  British  regulars,  and  Canadian  militia,  shall  not  be  considered 
prisoners  of  war. 

That  one  lieutenant  colonel,  one  major,  thirteen  captains,  nine 
lieutenants,  eleven  ensigns,  one  quarter  master,  one  deputy  ad- 
jutant general  of  the  militia,  nineteen  sergeants,  four  corporals, 
and  two  hundred  and  four  rank  and  file;  of  the  field  train  depart- 
ment, Wra.  Dunbar;  of  the  provincial  navy.  Captain  Frs.  Gover- 
neaux.  Lieutenant  Green,  Midshipmen  John  Ridout,  Louis  Baupre ; 
Clerk  James  Langdon,  one  boatswain,  fifteen  naval  artificers,  of 
his  majesty's  regular  troops;  Lieutenant  de  Koven,  one  sergeant- 
major;  and  of  the  royal  artillery,  one  bombardier  and  three 
gunners,  shall  be  surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war,  and  accounted 
for  in  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain." 

Having  taken  on  board  all  the  naval  stores  that  could  be  trans- 
ported, the  place  was  evacuated,  and  the  army  was  taken  to  Nia- 
gara. Chauncey  returned  to  Sackets  Harbor  on  the  I3th  of 
May,  and,  having  taken  on  board  350  troops,  sailed  on  the  22d 
for  Niagara,  where  he  arrived  on  the  25th. 

The  descent  upon  York  provoked  the  resentment  of  the  enemy, 
who,  knowing  that  Sackets  Harbor  had  been  weakened  by  the 
withdrawal  of  troops  to  the  Niagara,  planned  an  attack  upon 
the  former,  well  knowing  that  the  capture  or  destruction  of  the 
vessels  there  building,  and  the  stores  collected,  would  at  once 
give  them  the  supremacy  in  the  campaign,  and  effectually  sup- 
press any  further  offensive  operations  of  the  Americans  for 
ome  time. 


The  fVar  of  1812-15. 


485 


Sackets  Harbor  was  at  this  time  but  poorly  prepared  for  de- 
fense. Fort  Tompkins,  occupying  the  site  of  the  present  resi- 
dence of  the  commanding  officer  of  the  station,  was  manned  by 
about  two  hundred  dismounted  dragoons,  under  Colonel  Backus, 
a  detachment  of  forty  or  fifty  artillerists,  under  Lieutenant  Ket- 
chum,  and  seventy  or  eighty  infantry  invalids,  recruits,  and  parts 
of  companies.  A  little  east  of  the  village  was  Fort  Volunteer, 
a  slight  work  that  had  been  chiefly  erected  by  a  company  of 
exempts.  General  Dearborn  had  written  to  Brigadier  General 
Brown,  to  assume  the  command,  and  make  provisions  for  a  de- 
fense, which  letter  was  not  answered,  from  motives  of  delicacy 
towards  Colonel  Backus,  but  preparations  were  made  for  resist- 
ance, if  required. 

Between  the  village  and  Horse  Island,  a  mile  distant,  was  a  thin 
wood  that  had  been  partly  cut  over,  and  was  filled  with  brush, 
logs,  and  stumps.  Opposite  the  island  was  a  clearing  of  about 
four  acres,  and  the  island  itself,  which  embraces  twenty-nine 
acres,  and  lies  at  the  entrance  of  the  bay,  was  covered  with  a 
growth  of  timber,  and  at  that  time  connected  with  the  main  land 
by  a  bar,  that  afforded  a  crossing,  nearly  or  quite  dry.  The  beach 
opposite,  was  composed,  then  as  now,  of  a  ridge  of  gravel,  which 
at  that  time  made  a  natural  breastwork,  four  or  five  feet  high. 
A  short  distance  back,  and  further  south  on  the  shore,  a  strip  of 
woods  extended,  which  had  been  obstructed  as  much  as  possible 
several  days  previous,  by  felling  trees  in  every  direction. 

The  enemy  having  n^ade  preparations  at  Kingston  for  an  at- 
tack, embarked  1,200  men,  under  Sir  George  Prevost,  on  the 
evening  of  May  27th,  on  board  the  ships  Wolfe,  a  new  vessel  of 
24  guns;  the  Royal  George,  24  guns;  the  brig  Earl  of  Moira, 
18  guns;  and  the  schooners  Pn'nce  Regent,  Simcoe  and  Seneca, 
mounting  each  several  guns;  two  gun  boats,  and  about  forty 
barges,  under  Sir  James  L.  Yeo ;  and  on  the  following  morning 
(Friday,  May  28th)  appeared  in  the  offing,  having  been  dis- 
covered by  the  schooner  Lady  of  the  Lake,  that  had  been  cruising 
on  the  lake,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 

As  this  vessel  came  in,  signal  guns  were  fired,  and  upon  her 
arrival  Colonel  Backus  dispatched  an  express  to  General  Brown, 
who,  since  the  expiration  of  his  six  months'  term,  had  been  re- 
siding on  his  farm  in  Brownville,  eight  miles  from  the  harbor. 
He  immediately  repaired  to  that  place,  and  issued  summary  or- 
ders for  rallying  the  neighboring  militia,  and  preparing  the  place 
for  defence.  Alarm  guns  were  fired,  and  dragoons  dispatched  in 
every  direction  to  hasten  the  arrival  of  succor,  and  especially 
that  of  Colonel  Tuttle,  who  was  known  to  be  advancing  with 
several  hundred  regulars.  No  landing  was  attempted  by  the 
enemy  on  the  28th,  their  attention  being  drawn  off  by  "  fleet  of 
31 


''  hV 


h' 


n  !  1! 


"II 


ill 


486 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


American  barges  from  Oswego,  of  which  twelve  were  taken, 
their  crews  having  fled  to  the  woods,  and  seven,  by  outsailing 
the  enemy,  got  safely  into  port,  thus  increasing  the  disposable 
force  of  General  Brown.  These  recruits  proved  to  be  a  part  of 
a  regiment  of  infantry  under  Colonel  Aspinwall,  on  his  way  by 
water  from  Oswego  to  Sackets  Harbor,  who  did  not  discover  the 
enemy  until  he  was  doubling  Six  Town  Point.  As  the  route  of 
those  that  landed  was  very  circuitous,  they  did  not  arrive  until 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

The  militia  soon  began  to  assemble,  and  as  fast  as  they  arrived 
they  were  armed,  and  sent  to  Horse  Island,  which  was  the  point 
at  which  the  enemy  were  expected  to  land.  The  number  that 
came  in  during  the  day,  was  about  600,  fresh  from  their  homes, 
and  without  discipline,  experience  or  organization,  and  although 
not  wanting  in  patriotism  or  courage,  yet  lacked  that  assurance 
which  an  acquaintance  with  military  affairs  can  alone  confer. 
These,  with  about  300  regulars,  and  100  of  Aspinwall's  party, 
fatigued  with  their  day's  march,  comprised  the  force  by  which 
the  enemy  were  to  be  opposed. 

The  night  was  spent  by  General  Brown  in  making  disposi- 
tions for  the  attack,  which  circumstances  rendered  highly  pro- 
bable would  be  made  where  the  militia  had  been  posted.  The 
shore,  for  most  of  the  way  between  this  place  and  the  village,  is 
an  abrupt  precipice,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  high;  and  the  fleet,  to 
land  above  the  village,  must  have  to  pass  the  batteries  on  shore, 
and  would  require  a  favorable  wind.  During  the  night  the  ene- 
my landed  about  forty  Indians,  under  Lieutenant  Anderson,  on 
the  main  land  in  Henderson  Bay,  with  the  view  of  attacking  the 
rear  of  the  militia,  and  towards  morning  the  militia  were  with- 
drawn from  the  island  to  the  shore  opposite.  Camp  fires  had 
been  built  along  the  shore  early  in  the  evening,  but  these  were 
ordered  to  be  put  out. 

About  four  hundred  militia,  with  a  six  pounder,  under  Colonel 
Mills,  of  the  Albany  volunteers,  were  stationed  near  the  shore 
opposite  the  island,  with  orders  to  reserve  their  fire  until  the 
enemy  should  approach  within  pistol  shot.  The  remainder  of 
the  militia  under  Colonel  Gershora  Tuttle,  were  posted  in  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  back  of  the  clearing,  and  Colonel  Backus, 
with  his  dismounted  dragoons,  was  stationed  in  the  skirt  of  the 
woods  near  the  village,  with  orders  to  advance  through  the  woods 
towards  Horse  Island,  the  moment  it  was  known  that  the  enemy 
had  landed.  Colonel  Aspinwall,  with  his  men,  was  posted  to 
the  left  of  Backus;  and  the  artillerists  under  Lieutenant  Ketchum 
were  stationed  in  Fort  Tompkins,  with  no  other  armament  than 
a  32  pounder,  mounted  on  a  pivot.  The  militia  on  the  shore 
were  directed  that,  in  case  of  being  driven  from  their  position. 


The  War  of  1812-16. 


487 


they  should  fall  back  into  the  woods,  and  annoy  the  right  flank 
of  the  enemy,  as  he  advanced  towards  the  town.  Colonel  Tut- 
tle  was  directed,  in  the  same  event,  to  attack  their  rear,  and  de- 
stroy their  boats.  The  night  was  spent  in  making  these  arrange- 
ments, and  all  parties  anxiously  awaited  the  approach  of  day. 

The  morning  of  the  29th  dawned  beautifully  clear  and  calm. 
Not  a  breath  of  air  ruffled  the  placid  surface  of  the  lake,  and 
there  existed  that  peculiar  state  of  density  and  uniformity  in  the 
atmosphere,  in  which  sounds  are  propagated  to  a  great  distance, 
as  is  sometimes  noticed  before  a  storm;  and  the  report  of  small 
arms  in  the  action  which  followed,  was  heard  with  remarkable 
distinctness  on  the  hills  in  Rutland,  while  the  discharge  of  can- 
non echoed  clear  and  far  over  the  country,  to  distances  since  un- 
paralleled, and  was  heard  through  Lewis,  and  even  in  Oneida 
County.  This  very  naturally  excited  throughout  the  country 
the  greatest  anxiety  and  alarm,  and  the  solicitude  of  families  for 
the  fate  of  fathers,  husbands  and  sons,  who  had  been  hastily  sum- 
moned from  home,  was  such  as  could  scarcely  endure  the  sus- 
pense which  it  occasioned. 

The  calm  prevented  the  enemy  from  bringing  their  vessels  to 
co-operate  in  the  attack,  and  was  one  of  the  causes  that  influ- 
enced their  subsequent  retreat.  As  soon  as  it  was  light,  the  ene- 
my were  seen  approaching  in  thirty-three  large  boats,  under  cover 
of  gun  boats,  directing  their  course  to  the  outside  of  the  island, 
where  they  landed  and  formed  without  opposition;  but  in  cross- 
ing the  bar  that  connected  it  with  the  main  land,  they  encoun- 
tered a  galling  fire,  and  lost  several  in  killed  and  wounded,  which 
they  subsequently  carried  off.  As  the  landing  was  being  effect- 
ed, the  heavy  gun  in  Fort  Tompkins  was  brought  to  bear  with 
considerable  effect  upon  the  enemy's  column. 

The  fire  of  the  militia  was  at  first  well  directed  and  deadly, 
and  was  answered  by  discharges  of  musketry  and  by  two  small 
cannon  loaded  with  grape  shot;  but  Colonel  Mills,  who  was  sta- 
tioned a  short  distance  towards  the  village,  with  his  cannon,  fell 
early  in  the  engagement,  and  his  dea'I,  with  the  unaccustomed 
whistling  of  balls  that  cut  down  the  branches  of  the  trees  around 
them,  struck  with  terror  the  inexperienced  militia,  and  without 
waiting  to  return  the  fire  or  recover  from  the  panic,  they  turned 
and  fled  towards  the  town  in  the  greatest  confusion.  This  retreat 
was  not  entirely  general.  Caotain  Samuel  McNitt,  who  had  been 
stationed  with  his  company  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  flanking 
party  of  the  militia,  not  noticing  the  movements  of  his  comrades, 
continued  his  firing  after  some  moments  longer,  and  before  he  was 
aware  he  found  himself  and  his  party  alone,  and  in  danger  of  being 
cut  off  by  the  enemy.  General  Brown,  finding  himself  nearly  alone, 
with  no  support  but  this  company,  retired  towards  the  village, 


U,  fV    ] 


m/VTnr,'"yrv!'^7^' 


488 


The  War  qf  1812-16. 


directing  those  that  could  be  rallied  to  annoy  the  advancing 
column  of  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible.  The  enemy  having 
gained  the  beach  and  dispersed  the  militia,  formed  in  good  order, 
and  marched  towards  the  town. 

They  were  soon  met  by  the  troops  of  Colonel  Backus,  who 
had  advanced  to  dispute  their  progress,  and  who  gallantly  en- 
countered and  returned  their  fire,  retiring  slowly  before  them 
through  the  half  cleared  woods.  General  Brown  had  succeeded 
in  rallying  about  a  hundred  militia,  with  the  aid  of  Caleb  West- 
cott,  a  citizen,  and  others,  and  had  joined  the  detachment  of 
Backus;  but  at  this  juncture,  happening  to  look  towards  the  ship- 
yard, he  was  surprised  to  see  huge  volumes  of  smoke  issuing 
from  the  store  houses  that  contained  the  spoils  of  York.  Not 
knowing  but  that  the  enemy  might  have  gained  his  rear,  he  has- 
tened to  the  spot,  and  ascertained  that  the  disastrous  panic  of  the 
militia  had  been  communicated  to  those  in  charge,  and  a  report 
had  reached  Lieutenant  Chauncey  of  the  navy,  that  all  was  lost, 
and  upon  the  faith  of  this  rumor  he  had  given  orders  to  fire  the 
buildings,  an  act  which  the  most  extreme  and  desperate  issue  of 
affairs  could  alone  justify.  Learning  the  cause  of  the  confla- 
gration, and  somewhat  relieved  by  the  knowledge  that  the  ene- 
my were  still  but  on  one  side,  he  returned,  giving  directions  to 
Lieutenant  Ketchum  in  Fort  Tompkins,  to  maintain  that  post  as 
long  as  the  heat  of  the  flames  would  permit.  The  regulars  of 
Colonel  Backus  felt  their  courage  renewed,  upon  learning  the 
nature  of  the  accident  that  had  given  a  natural  alarm,  and  con- 
tinued steadilv  to  oppose  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  who  had 
now  gained  the  clearing  next  the  village.  Very  soon  after, 
Colonel  Backus  fell,  mortally  wounded,  and  was  borne  off  the 
field;  his  troops  taking  possession  of  some  log  barracks,  and 
continuing  their  resistance. 

The  enemy  had  throughout  evinced  great  courage  and  cool- 
ness, and  were  under  the  immediate  command  of  Captain  Gray, 
of  the  quarter-master  general's  departmenc,  who  was  advancing 
in  front  of  the  ranks,  and  walking  backwards,  waving  bis  sword 
for  his  troops  to  follow^,  and  shouting,  Come  on,  boys;  the  day  is 
ours!  Remember  York!  when  he  suddenly  fell,  wounded,  and 
immediately  expired. 

At  this  moment,  the  signal  for  retreat  was  given  from  the 
fleet,  and  the  enemy  hastily  retreated  to  their  boats.  This  re- 
treat is  said  to  have  been  in  part  caused  by  hearing  a  report  of 
small  arms  on  the  right,  from  the  rallied  militia,  but  which  the 
enemy  mistook  for  a  reinforcement  of  450  regulars  which  they 
had  learned  was  advancing  under  Colonel  Tuttle,  and  was  then 
within  a  mile  of  the  place.  Their  arrival  would  at  once  put  an 
end  to  the  contest,  by  giving  us  the  advantage  of  numbers.    The 


#»'£. 


The  rVar  of  1812-16. 


489 


enemy  on  their  retreat  removed  a  part  of  their  wounded,  and, 
having  re-embarked,  they  at  about  10  o'clock  sent  a  flag  demand- 
ing a  surrender  of  the  place  which  they  had  been  unable  to  cap- 
ture, and  were  of  course  refused.  They  however  were  promised 
that  decent  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  dead,  and  humane 
treatment  to  the  wounded.  They  shortly  afte'  sent  anoihcr  ilag 
requesting  to  send  surgeons  to  their  wounded,  which  was  denied, 
as  tliey  still  seemed  not  to  have  abandoned  the  attack,  and  were 
laying  by  in  their  barges;  but  shortly  after,  they  put  of!'  to  the 
fleet,  which  lay  about  nve  miles  from  the  town,  and  made  sail  for 
Kingston.  Both  Sir  George  Prevnst  and  Sir  James  Yeo  are 
said  to  have  landed  during  the  engagement. 

The  loss  of  the  British  was  150  in  killed  and  wounded;  25  of 
their  privates  were  found  dead,  2  captains  and  20  privates  were 
wounded,  and,  including  the  wounded,  2  captains,  1  ensign  and 
32  privates  were  taken  prisoners.  Our  loss  was  150  Killed, 
wounded  and  missing.  The  enemy  took  a  few  prisoners,  and 
one  man  was  found  killed  and  scalped  in  the  woods  by  the  In- 
dians. 

The  flames  of  the  burning  stores  wee  subdued  as  quickly  as 

ftossible,  but  not  till  they  had  consumed  half  a  million  of  dol- 
ars'  worth  of  property.  The  ship  Pike,  then  on  the  stocks,  was 
saved.  The  prize  schooner,  the  Duke  of  Gloucester,  was  saved 
by  Lieutenant  Talman,  of  the  army,  who  boarded  it,  extinguishing 
the  fire,  and  brought  her  from  under  the  flames  of  the  store  houses. 
This  heroic  conduct  will  be  appreciated  when  it  is  known  that  a 
large  quantity  of  gunpowder  was  on  board.  The  schooners 
Fair  American  and  the  Pert,  cut  their  cables  and  retreated  up 
the  river,  and  several  of  the  guns  on  Navy  Point  were  spiked. 
Had  it  not  been  for  this  disastrous  mistake,  our  success  would 
have  been  complete.  Colonel  Backus  survived  eight  days,  and 
hopes  of  his  recovery  were  entertained,  but  mortification  super- 
vened. 

We  will  close  our  account  of  this  battle,  by  giving  the  official 
reports  of  the  commanding  officei's  of  the  two  armies: 

«  Sackets  Harbor,  May  29, 1813. 
Dear  Sir:  We  were  attacked  at  the  dawn  of  this  day,  by  a  British 
regular  force  of  at  least  900  men,  most  probably  1,200.  They  made  good 
their  landing  at  Horse  Island.    The  enemy's  fleet  consisted  of  two  ships, 
four  schooners,  and  thirty  large  open  boats.    We  are  completely  victor- 
ious.   The  enemy  lost  a  considerable  number  of  killed  and  wounded  on 
the  field,  and  among  the  number,  several  officers  of  distinction.    After 
having  reembarked,  they  sent  a  flag,  desiring  us  to  have  their  killed  and 
wounded  attended  to.    I  made  them  satisfied  on  that  subject.  Jhnericans 
wiU  be  distinguished  for  humanity  and  bravery.    Our  loss  is  not  numerous, 
but  serious  from  the  great  worth  of  those  who  have  fallen.    Colonel 
Mills  was  shot  dead  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  and  Colonel^ 
Backus,  of  the  1st  regiment  of  light  dragoons,  nobly  fell  at  the  head  of 
the  regiment,  as  victory  was  declaring  for  us.    I  will  not  presume  to 


Hi 


H'WfJ 


490 


The  fVar  of  1812-16. 


prniM  this  regiment.  Their  gnllont  conduct  on  this  day  merit!  much 
more  than  praise.  The  new  iihip,  nnd  Commodore  Chniincey'a  prize, 
iht  Duke  of  Gloueetter,  are  yet  safe  in  Sacl<elB  Ilarhor.  Sir  George  Prevoat 
landed  and  commanded  in  person.  Sir  James  Yeo  commanded  the 
enemy's  fleet.  In  haste  yours,  Jacob  Bkown.'* 

His  ExctUmej/  D.  D.  Tompkins. 

Head  Qdarters,  Sacketb  Harbor,  i 
June  1,  1813. 

Fir:  "  You  will  have  received  my  despatch  on  the  29th  iilt.,  written 
from  the  field  of  battle,  and  stating  generally,  that  this  post  had  been  at- 
tacked by  Sir  George  Prevost,  and  that  we  had  succeeded  in  repulsing 
him,  principally  owing  to  the  gallantry  of  Colonel  Backus  and  the  regular 
troops  under  his  command.  Now  I  beg  leave  to  offer  to  you  the  events 
of  that  day  more  in  detail. 

On  the  35th  ultimo,  1  received  a  letter  from  General  Deot'born,  request- 
ing  me  to  repair  to  this  post  for  the  purpono  of  taking  com>i  ind.  Knowing 
that  Lieutenant  Colonel  Backus,  an  officer  of  the  Pirei  regiment  of 
dragoons,  and  of  experience,  was  here,  I  hesitated,  as  J.  would  do  no  net 
which  might  wound  his  feelings.  In  the  night  of  the  37{h  I  received  a 
note  from  this  ofBcer,  by  Maior  Swan,  deputy  quarter-m.ipter-general, 
joining  in  the  request  already  made  by  Major  General  Dearborn.  J 
could  no  longer  hesitate,  und  accordingly  arrived  at  this  post  early  in  the 
morning  of  tlio  28th.  These  circumstances  will  explain  how  I  come  to 
be  in  command  upon  this  octrasion.  Knowing  well  the  ground,  my  ar- 
rangements for  defence,  in  the  event  of  en  attack,  were  soon  made. 

In  the  course  of  the  morning  of  the  28th,  Lieutenant  Chauncey,  of  the 
navy,  came  in  from  the  lake,  firing  gunr  ?t  alarm.  Those  of  the  same 
character,  intended  to  bring  in  the  miliria,  were  fired  from  the  posts. 
The  enemy's  fleet  soon  after  appeared,  accompanied  b^  a  large  number 
of  l)oats.  Believing  that  he  would  laud  on  the  penmsulo,  commonly 
called  Horse  Island,  I  determined  to  meet  him  at  the  water's  edge  with 
Much  militia  as  I  could  collect,  and  the  Albany  volnnteurs,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mills;  Lieutenant  Colonel  backus,  with 
the  regulars,  formed  a  second  line ;  the  care  of  Fort  Tompkins  was 
committed  to  the  regular  artillerists  and  »ome  volunteers,  and  that  of 
Navy  Point  to  Lieutenant  Chouncey  of  the  navy.  If  driven  from  my 
position.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Backus  was  ordered  to  advance  and  meet 
the  head  of  the  enemy's  column,  while  rallying  my  corps.  I  was  to  full 
on  its  flanks.  If  unable  here  to  resist  the  enemy's  attack,  Lieutenant 
Chauncey  was  in  that  case  to  destroy  the  stores,  &c.,  and  retire  to  the 
south  shore  of  the  bay,  east  of  Fort  Volunteer,  while  I  proceeded  to 
occupy  that  fort  as  our  dernier  resort. 

In  the  course  of  the  27th  and  during  the  nights  of  the  28th  and  29th 
ultimo,  a  considerable  militia  force  came  in,  and  were  ord"rcd  to  the 
water  side  near  Horse  Island,  on  whicii  was  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mills 
ond  his  volunteers.  Our  strength  at  this  point  was  now  500  men — all 
anxious  for  battle,  as  far  as  (trofession  would  go.  Tiie  moment  it  was 
light  enough  to  discover  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  we  found  his  ships 
in  line  between  Horse  Island  and  Stony  Point,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
afterwards,  33  large  boats,  filled  with  troops,  came  off  to  the  Larger  In- 
dian or  Garden  Island,  under  cover  of  the  Are  of  his  gun  boats.  My 
orders  were,  that  the  troops  should  lie  close  and  reserve  their  Are  till 
the  enemy  had  approached  so  near  that  every  shot  might  hit  its  object. 
It  is,  however,  impossible  to  execute  such  orders  with  raw  troops  urioc- 
customed  to  subordination.  My  orders  were  in  this  case  disobeyed.  The 
whole  line  fired,  ood  not  without  effect— but  in  the  tnonieut  while  I  was 


c 
u 


c 
c 

c 

b 

Ci 

2 


The  War  of  1812-16. 


491 


contemnlatinff  this,  to  my  utter  aatoniahment,  they  rose  from  their  cover 
and  fled.  Colonel  Mills  fell  gallantly  in  brave  but  in  vain  endeavors  to 
■top  his  men.  I  was  personally  more  fortunate.  Gathering  together 
oliout  100  militio,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Cajitain  M'Nitt  of 
that  corps,  we  threw  ourselves  on  the  rear  u(  the  enemy's  flank,  and  I 
trust,  did  some  execution.  It  was  durin^f  this  last  movement  tliat  the 
regulars  under  Colonel  Buckus  first  engaged  the  enemy,  nor  was  it  long 
before  they  defeated  him. 

Hurrying  to  this  point  of  action,  I  found  the  battle  still  raging,  but  with 
obvious  advantage  on  our  side.  The  result  of  the  action,  so  glorious  for 
the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  regular  army,  has  already  been  commu- 
nicated in  letter  of  the  29tli.  Had  not  General  Provost  retreated 
most  rapidly  under  the  guns  of  bis  vessels,  he  would  never  have  returned 
to  Kingston. 

One  thing  in  this  business  is  to  be  seriously  regretted.  In  the  midst 
of  the  conflict,  fire  was  ordered  to  bo  set  to  the  navy  barrocks  and  stores. 
This  was  owing  to  the  infamous  conduct  of  those  who  brought  informa- 
tion to  Lieutenant  Chauncey,  that  the  battle  was  lost,  and  that  to  prevent 
the  stores  from  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands,  they  must  be  destroyed. 

The  enemy's  force  consisted  of  1,000  picked  men,  led  by  Sir  George 
Provost  in  person.  Their  fleet  consisted  of  the  new  ship  Wolfe,  the 
Royal  George,  the  Prince  Regent,  Earl  of  Moira,  two  armed  HchoonQra,  and 
their  gun  and  other  boats. 

Of  the  officers  who  distinguished  themselves,  I  can  not  but  repeat  the 
name  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Backus,  who,  praised  be  God !  yet  lives. 
Captain  M'Nitt's  conduct  was  noble;  he  well  deserves  to  be  placed  in 
the  regular  army.  Major  Swan,  of  the  army,  served  as  my  adjutant 
general,  and  was  highly  useful.  Lieutenant  Chauncey  is  a  brave  and 
Honorable  man.  To  him  no  blame  can  attach  for  what  happened  at  the 
Navy  Point.  He  was  deceived.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Tuttle  was  in  march 
for  this  post,  but  with  every  exertion  was  unable  to  reach  it  in  time  to 
take  part  in  the  action.  This  is  felt  by  the  Colonel  and  every  officer  of 
his  detachment  as  a  misfortune. 

At  the  moment  I  am  closing  this  communication,  Commodore  Chaun- 
cey has  arrived  with  his  squadron.  This  renders  my  longer  stay  here 
unnecessary.    I  shall  therefore  immediately  return  to  my  home. 

I  am,  sir,  with  the  highest  respect,  &c.  Jacob  Brown, 

Brigadier  General  of  the  N.  Y.  Militia. 

Hon.  John  ^mutrong  Secretary  of  nar. 

Report  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  missing  in  the  action  of  the  29th 
May,  1813,  at  Sacket's  Harbor. 

KVied. — 20  privates,  regulcrs,  and  1  volunteer. 

Jfounded. — 1  lieutenant  colunel,  3  second  lieutenants,  1  ensign,  7  non- 
commisaiouediofficers,  2  musicians  and  68  privates,  regulars ;  and  1  musi- 
cian, and  2  privates,  volunteers. 

Mi3sin^.—2  non-commissioned  officers,  7  privates,  regulars;  1  non- 
commissioned officer,  1  musician,  and  15  privates,  volunteers. 

.Aggregate  loss. — 110  regulars  and  21  volunteers;  number  not  known, 
but  not  to  exceed  25  militia.    Total  156. 

About  400  of  the  regular  troops  sustained  the  heat  of  the  action;  these 
consisted  chiefly  of  the  Ist  regiment  of  light  dragoons,  some  of  the  9th, 
2l8t,  and  a  few  of  the  23d  infantry,  3d  and  light  artillery. 


\'' 


m 


il 


492 


The  ^Var  of  18ia-16. 


Report  of  the  enemy's  lost  in  the  action  of  the  SOth  May,  1813, 
at  SackotH  llurbor. 

Adjutant  General  Gray,  Colonel  Moody,  Major  £dward*,  1  coptaio, 
•nd  ^5  rank  and  file  foiincl  dead  in  the  lielil. 

3  captains  and  30  rank  ond  file  found  wounded  iu  the  field. 

3  captains,  1  onsitfii  and  33  rank  and  file  made  prisoners. 

In  addition  to  tlie  above,  many  were  killed  and  wounded  in  their 
boats  by  tho  militia  and  Albiiny  volunteors,  while  eft(!ctiu({  u  luiiding; 
a  number  were  likewisu  carried  oil'  llio  fiuld  by  the  uuuuiy,  previous  to 
the  conimeucemeut  of  his  retreot 

Head  Quartkrs,  Kinoston,         \ 
Ji^ukmt  Gentral'8  Office,  20th  May,  1813.  $ 

General  Orders:  His  Excellency,  the  cominandur  of  the  forces, 
considers  it  uii  act  of  justice  duo  to  tho  detachment  placed  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Baynes,  to  express  his  entire  approbation  of  their  con- 
duct in  the  recent  attack  made  upon  Sockets  Harbor  at  day  break  on  the 
morning  of  the  SOth  inst.  The  regularity  and  patient  firmness  exhibited 
by  the  troops  under  circuniHtauces  ot  peculiar  privation  and  fatigue, 
have  been  exceeded  only  by  their  intrepid  gallantry  in  action,  forcing  a 
passage  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  through  a  thickly  wooded  country, 
affording  strong  positions  to  the  enemy,  but  not  affording  a  single  spot 
of  cleared  grou  nd  favorable  for  the  operations  of  the  troops.  The  woods 
were  filled  with  infantry,  supported  by  field  pieces;  and  an  incessant, 
heavy  and  destructive  fire  from  a  numerous  and  almost  invincible  foe, 
did  not  arrest  the  determined  advance  of  the  troops,  who,  af\er  taking 
three  field  pieces,  six  pounders,  from  the  enemy,  drove  them  in  a  spirit- 
ed charge  to  seek  shelter  within  the  block-houses  of  his  enclosed  forts, 
and  induced  him  to  set  fire  to  his  store-tiouses.  Unfortunately,  light  and 
adverse  winds  prevented  the  cooperation  of  the  larger  vessels  of  the 
fleet.  The  gun  boats  under  the  direction  of  Capt  Miilcaster  rendered  every 
assistance  in  their  power,  to  support  the  landing  and  advance  of  the 
troops,  but  proved  unequal  to  silence  the  guns  of  the  enemy's  batteries, 
or  to  have  any  effect  on  their  block-house,  and  it  being  found  impracti- 
cable, without  their  assistance  and  the  cooperation  of  the  ships,  to  carry 
their  fort  by  assault,  the  troops  were  reluctantly  ordered  to  leave  a 
beaten  enemy,  whom  they  hnd  driven  before  them  for  upwards  of  three 
hours,  and  who  did  not  venture  to  offer  the  slightest  opposition  to  the 
reembarkatiou  of  the  troops,  which  was  effected  with  perfect  order. 

The  grenadier  company  of  the  100th  regiment,  commanded  by  Capt. 
Burke,  to  which  was  a  uched  a  subaltern's  detachment  of  the  Royal 
i^cotts,  led  the  column  with  undaunted  gallantry,  supported  by  a  detach- 
ment of  tho  King's,  under  Major  Evans,  which  nobly  upheld  the  high 
established  character  of  tliot  distinguished  corps.  The  detachment  of  the 
104th  regiment,  under  Mojor  Moodie,  behaved  with  the  utmost  gallantry 
and  spirit,  and  their  example  was  followed  by  Capt.  McPherson's  com- 
pany of  the  Glengary  light  infantry.  The  detachment  of  Canadian  Vol- 
tigeurs  under  Major  Harriot,  behaved  with  a  degree  of  spirit  and  stead- 
iness BO  as  to  justify  expectation  of  their  becoming  a  highly  useful  and 
valuable  corps. 

The  two  divisions  of  the  detachment  were  most  ably  commanded  by 
Col.  Young  of  the  King's,  and  Major  Drummond  of  the  104th  regiment. 

Commodore  Sir  James  Yeo  conducted  the  brigades  of  boats  to  the 
attack,  ond  accompanying  the  troopH  on  their  advtiuce,  directed  the  op- 
eration of  the  ^un-boatH.  The  enemy  liud  a  few  days  before  received 
strong  reintbrccmeuts  of  troops,  by  the  report  of  the  prisoners,  and  a 


The  War  qf  1812-15. 


493 


corpa  or  Ave  hundred  men  arrived  the  night  preceding  the  attack ;  and 
from  ev«<ry  source  of  iuforniution,  hia  force  niUHt  havo  buou  quadruple  in 
numtx  IN  to  the  detochmenta  taken  from  the  garriHon  of  Kingatun. 

Cnpt,  Gray,  acting  deputy  quartermaater  general,  waa  killed  cloae  to 
tiiu  enemy'a  (ilock-houae.  In  him  the  army  have  loat  nn  active  and  in- 
telligent otBcer.  Kolurns  of  killed  and  wounded  have  not  been  received 
from  tho  corps. 

Dy  hia  excellency's  command. 

EnwAHD  Batneb,  Jle^utant  General. 

The  fleet  have  returned  thia  morninjif,  and  landed  the  troops,  with  four 
American  ofticerH,  and  about  150  soldiers,  prisonerH  of  war. 

By  letters  which  have  been  seen,  wu  learn  that  no  more  than  750  men 
of  British  troops  were  engaged  in  the  attack,  of  whom  150  were  killed 
or  wounded.  Cuptuin  Gray,  of  the  quurturmuster  general's  department, 
Captain  Blackmore,  and  Ensign  Gregg,  of  the  King's,  were  killed. 

Major  Evans,  Captain  Tyeth,  and  Lieutenant  Nutall,  of  the  same  re- 
giment, Majors  Drummond  and  Moodie,  ond  Captains  Snore  and  Leonard, 
of  the  104th  regiment,  and  Captain  McPherson,  of  the  Glengury  light 
iufantry,  are  among  tlie  wounded." 

Two  (lavD  before  the  battle  of  Sackets  Harbor,  occurred  the 
capture  of  Fort  George;  and  on  the  1st  of  June,  Commodore 
Chaunccy  returned  to  Sackets  Harbor,  where  he  remained  two 
months,  until  the  Pike  was  ready  to  sail,  the  enemy  meanwhile 
lording  it  over  the  lake,  with  a  much  superior  naval  force. 
This  consisted  of  the  Wolfe,  commanded  by  Commodore  Yeo, 
having  a  crew  of  300  picked  men  from  the  Kent  74,  and  an 
armament  of  36,  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  ship  Royal 
George,  of  22,  32's,  the  Earl  of  Moira  12,  and  seven  schooners. 
Several  frames  of  vessels,  and  large  quantities  of  naval  stores 
were  forwarded  up  the  St.  Lawrence  to  Kingston.  The  Pike 
was  launched  June  12,  and  at  the  middle  of  July  was  ready  for 
sea. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  Lieutenant  Wolcott  Chauncey  received 
orders  from  Commodore  Chauncey  to  proceed  on  a  cruise,  and 
having  reached  the  vicinity  of  Presque  Isle,  in  the  schooner 
Lady  of  the  Lake,  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  fell  in  with  and 
captured  the  English  schooner  Lady  Murray,  from  Kingston 
bound  for  York,  and  laden  with  provisions,  powder,  shot  and 
fixed  ammunitions.  One  ensign,  nfteen  privates,  belonging  to 
the  41st  and  104th  regiments,  were  taken.  The  prize  was  taken 
into  Sackets  Harbor. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  a  secret  expedition  was  fitted  out  from 
Kingston,  with  the  design  of  firing  the  Pike,  and  the  naval 
stores  at  Sackets  Harbor  in  the  night.  On  arriving  at  the  isth- 
mus of  Point  Peninsula  they  drew  their  boats  out,  and  concealed 
them  in  the  bushes  till  circumstances  might  favor  them,  but  a 
deserter  from  their  number  having  escaped  to  Sackets  Harbor, 
they  returned  back.  Upon  receiving  intelligence  of  this,  a  force 
was  sent  to  intercept  the  detachment,  but  without  success. 


r'.-l 
.'; 

i:; 

!  5   !/| 


)< 


494 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


On  the  2d  of  July,  Major  General  Morgan  Lewis  arrived  at 
Sackets  Harbor,  and  took  the  command.  On  the  8lh,  General 
Dearborn,  whose  health  had  been  impaired,  was  succeeded  by 
Major  General  James  Wilkinson,  the  present  command  remain- 
ing with  Gen.  Lewis.  The  9th  military  district  after  this  change 
embraced  New  York  north  of  the  Highlands,  and  Vermont. 

Wilkinson  was  assisted  by  Generals  Morgan  Lewis,  John  P. 
Boyd,  Jacob  Brown,  and  Leonard  Covington.* 

On  the  14th  of  July,  1813,  the  JYeptune  and  Fox,  the  former 
a  private  armed  boat,  under  Captain  Samuel  Dixon,  mounted 
■with  one  six  pounder,  and  one  swivel,  and  manned  by  twenty-four 
volunteers;  and  the  latter  a  public  armed  boat,  under  Captain 
Dimock,.  with  a  detachment  of  twenty- one  men  from  the  21st 
regiment  of  infantry,  under  Lieutenants  Burbank  and  Perry, 
sailed  from  Sackets  Harbor  with  Letters  of  Marque  from  the  de- 
puty collector  of  the  district,  for  a  cruise  on  the  St.  Lawrence. 
This  privateering  expedition  was  fitted  out  by  M.  W.  Gilbert, 
and  others,  and  had  for  its  object  the  cutting  off  of  a  detachment 
of  the  enemy's  boats,  that  were  expected  up  the  river  laden  with 
stores.  After  touching  at  Cape  Vincent,  and  French  Creek, 
they  selected,  on  the  morning  of  the  17th,  a  quiet  nook,  in  a 
creek,  among  the  Thousand  Islands,  where  they  landed  for  muster 
and  review;  and  the  morning  being  delightfully  pleasant,  they 
employed  themselves  in  drying,  and  putting  in  complete  order 
their  arms  and  ammunition,  and  cleaning  out  their  boats,  while 
a  small  boat  of  each,  was  sent  out  for  intelligence,  which  returned 
without  gaining  any  news.  At  9  p.  m.  they  hauled  from  the 
shore,  manned  a  guard  boat  to  prevent  surprise,  and  sent  Lieu- 
tenant Hawkins  to  Ogdensburgh  for  intelligence;  and  at  5  p.  m., 
the  next  day,  Messrs.  Baldwin  and  Campbell  arrived  with  news. 
At  9  they  left  Cranberry  Creek,  and  at  4  a.  m.  of  the  18th  saw 
a  brigade  of  British  bateaux,  convoyed  by  his  majesty's  gun 
boat,  the  Spitfire,  lying  at  Simmond's  Landing,  preparing  to 
sail  for  Kingston.  Upon  this,  they  pushed  in  for  shore,  and  so 
completely  surprised  them,  that  very  few  of  the  enemy  escaped. 
The  fifteen  bateaux  and  the  gun  boat  were  at  once  seized,  with- 
out a  shot  being  fired  on  either  side.  Previous  to  the  attack. 
Lieutenant  Ferry,  of  the  9th,  and  Sergeant  James,  of  Forsyth's 
company,  with  27  volunteers,  were  landed  to  cut  off  retreat. 
At  9  A.  M.  the  fleet  landed  in  Cranbery  Creek  in  Alexandria, 
and  at  11,  sixty-nine  prisoners  were  sent  off  to  the  harbor,  under 
guard  of  15  men,  of  the  21st,  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Burbank. 
The  Spitfire  was  armed  with  a  12  pound  carronade  and  fourteen 
men,  with  a  large  quantity  of  military  stores.  The  bateaux 
had  270  barrels  of  pork,  and  270  bags  of  pilot  bread,  which 

*  American  State  Papera,  Military  Afiairs,  vol.  i,  p.  3S4. 


The  War  o/*  1812-15. 


495 


was  landed  on  the  20!h  to  prevent  spoiling,  and  a  request  to 
the  neighboring  inhabitants  for  assistance  was  sent  out,  which 
brought  in  a  lew  militia,  who,  however,  mostly  left  the  same 
night.  At  sun-rise  on  the  21st,  the  enemy,  to  the  number  of 
250,  with  four  gun  boats  and  one  or  two  transports,  were  dis- 
covered in  the  creek;  these  were  met  by  thirty  men,  and  attacked 
while  landing;  twenty  more  being  stationed  in  different  places  to 
prevent  their  approach.  A  cannonade  commenced,  and  was  kept 
up  sometime;  two  of  the  enemy's  boats  were  so  injured  from  our 
fire,  that  most  of  their  crews  were  compelled  to  leave  them,  and 
to  cut  flags  from  the  shore  to  stop  the  shot  holes.  At  6  a.  m.  the 
enemy  retired  to  their  boats,  and  sent  a  flag  with  the  demand  of 
surrender  to  save  the  effusion  of  bloody  which  was  instantly  re- 
jected, and  the  firing  recommenced.  It  appeared  that  this  was 
but  an  expedient  to  gain  time,  as  the  enemy  hastily  retreated, 
carrying  their  dead  and  wounded.  Their  loss  must  have  been 
considerable,  from  the  quantity  of  blood  seen  where  they  em- 
barked. Our  loss  was  three  killed  and  wounded.  After  the 
action,  trees  were  felled  across  the  road  and  creek  to  prevent  a 
new  attack;  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  reinforcements 
arrived,  the  boats  which  had  been  scuttled  were  repaired,  and 
on  the  23d  they  left  for  Sackets  Harbor,  where  they  arrived  on 
the  27th.  While  passing  Tibbet's  Point  they  encountered  the 
Earl  of  Moira,  were  pursued  and  hit  several  times  by  her  shot, 
but  not  captured.  The  gun  boat  and  several  bateaux  were  sunk 
without  consulting  Captains  Dimick  or  Dixon,  and  the  owners 
ultimately  lost  most  that  was  gained  by  the  expedition. 

The  foregoing  is  derived  from  the  journal  of  the  expedition, 
kept  by  one  of  the  officers.  The  following  account  of  the  affair 
of  Cranberry  Creek  (sometimes  called  Goose  Bay),  is  from 
Christie's  History  of  the  War,  a  British  work: 

"  To  intercept  the  convoy  of  bateaux  with  provisions  from 
that  port  to  Kingston,  the  Americans  had  sent  several  cruisers 
and  privateers  from  Sackets  Harbor  to  the  vicinity  of  Prescott, 
and  among  the  Thousand  Islands.  On  the  20th  of  July  the  ene- 
my had  succeeded  in  surpsising  and  capturing  at  daybreak,  a 
brigade  of  bateaux  loaded  with  provisions,  under  a  convoy  of  a 
gun-boat,  w  th  which  they  retired  several  miles  up  Goose  Creek 
on  the  south  of  the  St.  Lawrence  below  Gananoque.  Three  gun 
boats  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Scott  of  the  royal  navy, 
were  dispatched  from  Kingston,  with  a  detachment  of  the  100th 
regiment,  under  Captain  Martin,  with  a  view  of  intercepting 
them  on  their  return  to  Sackets  Harbor.  They  proceeded  to  the 
lower  end  of  Long  Island,  where  having  ascertained  the  retreat 
of  the  enemy,  they  immediately  pushed  for  that  place,  but  before 
they  came  in  sight  of  the  American  vessels,  the  evening  was  too 


m 


11 


f  < 


f  I 


w^ 


mw 


49G 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


I  j 


far  advanced  to  make  an  attack  with  any  prospect  of  success;  it 
was  therefore  determined  to  defer  the  attack  until  the  next 
morning. 

Another  gun-boat  arriving  in  the  course  of  the  evening  with 
a  detachment  of  the  41st  regiment,  under  Major  Frend,  that  offi- 
cer assumed  the  command,  and  at  three  o'clock  the  next  morn- 
ing, proceeded  up  the  creek.  With  the  gun-boats,  in  hopes  of 
gaining  the  enemy's  position  at  the  dawn  of  day.  They  pro- 
ceeded until  the  channel  became  so  narrow  that  the  gun-boats 
could  neither  use  their  oars  or  turn,  so  as  to  bring  their  guns  to 
bear  upon  the  banks,  and  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had 
taken  precautions  to  obstruct  their  further  progress,  by  falling 
large  trees  across  the  creek.  In  endeavoring  to  remove  these 
impediments,  they  were  fired  upon  by  the  American  vessels,  and 
from  the  gun  that  they  had  landed  upon  the  left  bank,  supported 
with  musketry  from  the  surrounding  woods.  A  few  of  the  sol- 
diers who  had  landed  on  the  right  bank,  having  re-embarked  in 
the  sternmost  boats,  leaped  into  the  stream  and,  carrying  their 
muskets  on  their  heads,  succeeded,  after  wading  through  the  wa- 
ter and  swampy  soil  contiguous  thereto,  in  effecting  a  landing 
on  the  left  bank,  and  led  on  by  Lieutenant  Fawcet  of  the  100th 
regiment  drove  the  enemy  in  gallant  style,  who  retreated  with 
precipitation  to  their  log  intrenchment.  This  spirited  advance 
saved  the  gun-boats,  the  foremost  of  v^nich  (the  only  one  which 
bore  upon  the  enemy)  exposed  to  a  galling  fire  had  been  disa- 
bled. Major  Frend  finding  the  enemy  strongly  posted  and  from 
the  impracticability  of  bringing  the  other  gun-boats  into  action 
that  a  further  perseverence  must  be  attended  with  a  greater  sac- 
rifice of  lives  than  the  nature  of  the  enterprise  seemed  to  justify, 
re-embarked  the  troops,  and  retired  from  the  unequal  contest. 

In  this  affair.  Captain  Milnes,  aid-de-camp  to  the  commander 
of  the  forces,  was  mortally  wounded.  This  gallant  young  officer 
had  accidentally  met  Major  Frend  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and 
impelled  by  a  thirst  of  honor,  had  volunteered  his  services  to 
assist  in  accomplishing  his  purpose. 

The  Pike  having  been  equipped,  thus  giving  our  fleet  an 
equal  strength  with  the  enemy,  Chauncey  sailed,  and  arrived  at 
Niagara,  July  27th.  The  British  fleet  was  then  in  this  quarter 
of  the  lake.  On  the  7th  of  August  the  fleet  had  attempted  to 
come  to  action  without  success,  and  the  next  night  was  overtaken 
by  a  gale,  in  which  the  schooners  Hamilton  and  Scourge  were 
overturned  and  sunk,  and  every  soul  c  i  board  except  sixteen 
perished.  Lieutenant  Winter  and  Sailing-Master  Osgood  were 
lost,  together  with  nineteen  guns,  by  this  disaster. 

On  the  following  days  a  considerable  maneuvering  occurred, 
without  coming  to  decisive  action;  and  on  the  9th  the  schooners 


Jul 
CI 
M} 
ani 

at 


M 


The  fVar  of  1812-15. 


497 


Julia  and  Growler  were  cut  out  of  our  fleet  by  the  enemy. 
Chauncey  returned  to  Sackets  Harbor  on  the  13th,  with  the 
Madison,  Oneida,  Governof  Tompkins,  Conquest,  Ontario,  Pert, 
and  Lady  of  the  Lake,  the  Asp  and  Fair  American  being  left 
at  Niagara. 

The  Sylphs  pierced  for  24  guns  but  carrying  20,  and  schooner- 
rigged,  was  built  and  ready  for  service  in  thirty-three  days  from 
the  time  her  timber  was  growing.  She  accompanied  the  com- 
modore's fleet  in  a  cruise,  which  commenced  August  21.  A 
fine  brig  Avas  then  nearly  ready  for  the  lake.  The  fleet  near 
Niagara  again  encountered  the  enemy  on  the  7th  of  September, 
and  on  the  9th  a  running  fight  ensued,  which  lasted  several  days, 
in  which  the  British  sustained  some  injury  in  men  and  vessels, 
but  no  American  was  hurt. 

A  direct  tax  of  $3,000,000  was  laid  by  Congress,  in  August, 
1813,  to  sustain  the  war,  of  which  Jefferson  County  paid  $4,610; 
Lewis  $1,960,  and  St.  Lawrence  $3,000.  General  Wilkinson 
arrived  August  20th  at  Sackets  Harbor. 

During  the  summer,  a  plan  of  operations  upon  this  lake  was 
discussed  in  the  cabinet,  the  details  and  correspondence  upon 
which  are  too  voluminous  for  insertion,  It  was  decided  that 
Major  General  Wade  Hampton,  who  was  assembling  a  force  at 
Burlington,  should  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  make  a  diversion 
in  the  direction  of  Montreal,  or  to  hazard  an  attack,  if  circum- 
stances favored,  while  ?.  powerful  armament  should  be  fitted  out 
at  Sackets  Harbor;  that  after  strengthening  Fort  George  and 
reducing  the  military  Indian  establishments  op  the  peninsula, 
should  fall  upon  Kingston,  and  having  reduced  that  place,  de- 
scend the  St.  Lawrence,  and  in  concert  with  Hampton,  make  a 
determined  attack  upon  Montreal.  Some  difference  of  opinion 
was  expressed  upon  the  first  point  to  be  assailed;  and  General 
Armstrong,  the  Secretary  at  War,  in  his  letter  of  instructions  dated 
August  3d,  advised  the  first  principal  attack  to  be  made  upon  Kings- 
ton, but  left  the  plan  and  mode  of  attack,  whetherdirector  indirect, 
to  be  decided  by  Wilkinson,  as  he  might  deem  proper.  In  a  let- 
ter written  on  the  day  after  his  arrival  at  Sackets  Harbor,  the 
latter  expressed  his  confidence  in  the  abilities  and  resources  of 
Chauncey,  and  announced  his  intention  of  repairing  to  Fort 
George,  to  make  arrangements  for  assembling  the  forces  on  that 
frontier,  preparatory  to  offensive  operations.  He  advised  that 
Hampton  should  not  advance,  or  appear  west  of  Lake  Champlaln, 
as  these  movements  might  lead  to  movements  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  that  might  derange  his  plans.  On  the  26th  of  August,  he 
indicated  the  necessity  of  first  gaining  the  supremacy  of  the 
lake,  and  his  apprehensions  that  the  enemy  would  protract  the 
campaign  till  a  late  period  in  the  year.    The  garrison  at  Kings- 


if 


Mi 

1   ' 


I. 

ll 


: 


'  Im 


4\  ^ ' 


I  I  (ft  /  ■ 


i», 


488 


The  War  of  1813-16. 


ton  had  been  recently  reinforced,  and  was  reputed  at  near  five 
thousand  strong.  Sir  James  Yeo  had  sailed  to  the  head  of  the 
lake,  and  the  American  fleet  was  to  st^il  as  soon  as  it  could  be 
fitted  out. 

A  council  of  war  was  held  at  Sackets  Harbor,  August  26th, 
at  which  Major  Generals  Wilkinson  and  Lewis,  Commodore 
Chauncey,  and  Brigadier  Generals  Brown  and  Swartwout,  were 
present.    The  following  is  an  account  of  their  proceedings  : 

"  Major  General  Wilkinson  states  to  the  council  the  views  of 
the  government,  and  the  relative  situation  of  affairs. 

The  conquest  of  the  province  of  Upper  Canada,  comprise  the 
instruction  of  the  executive  of  the  United  States,  for  the  service 
of  this  army,  the  impending  campaign,  and  the  reduction  of 
Kingston  by  a  direct  attack, or  indirect  movement,  embraces  the 
primary  object  of  these  instructions. 

From  the  best  information  possessed,  the  main  force  of  the 
enemy  in  Upper  Canada,  opposed  to  this  command,  is  divided 
between  the  head  of  Lake  Ontario,  Kingston  and  Prescott :  say 
at  the  first  place,  two  thousand  regular  troops,  besides  militia 
and  auxiliary  savages  ;  at  Kingston,  three  thousand  six  hundred 
and  fifty  regulars,  and  one  thousand  five  hundred  militia,  together 
with  the  naval  force  when  in  port,  estimated  at  a  thousand  or 
twelve  hundred  men  ;  and  at  Prescott,  eight  hundred  and  fifty 
mer: — making  a  total  of  at  least  nine  thousand  combatants.* 
But  this  force  is  so  far  divided  that  not  more  than  four  thousand 
men  can  be  brought  to  act  seasonably,  and  with  any  effect,  at  any 
given  point,  unless  we  should  attack  Kingston,  in  which  case, 
by  the  addition  of  seamen  and  marines,  the  number  may  be  in- 
creased to  six  thousand,  for  the  defence  of  the  various,  the  exten- 
sive, and  widely  detached  works  of  that  depot. 

The  whole  present  effective  force  of  the  army  of  this  district, 
may  be  estimated  at  seven  thousand  four  hundred  combatants, 
exclusive  of  the  naval  department ;  but  this  may,  it  is  expected, 
by  the  recovery  of  the  sick,  and  the  junction  of  recruits,  be  aug- 
mented to  nine  thousand  combatants,  exclusive  of  militia,  on 
whom  no  solid  reliance  can  be  placed,  by  the  20th  of  next 
month.  Our  army  at  present  occupies  the  following  places,  viz  : 
at  forts  George  and  Niagara,  3,600;  at  Oswego,  100;  at  this 
place,  2000;  and  at  Burlington,  on  Lake  Champlain, 4,000.  This 
distraction  of  force  weakens  our  hands,  and  puts  it  out  of  our 
power  to  make  any  decisive  stroke  to  break  the  strength  and  im- 
pair the  vigor  of  the  enemy;  indeed,  the  division  on  Lake 
Champlain  is  too  remote  to  afford  us  prompt  succor  in  this  quar- 
ter, should  it  become  necessary;  but  it  may  operate  a  powerful 


1^  This  information  of  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  derived  from  Major  Gen- 
eral Lewis,  and  other  officers. 


of 


The  JVar  of  1812-15. 


499 


division  on  the  side  of  Montreal,  where  it  is  believed  the  enemy 
rests  his  defence  chiefly  on  his  organized  militia.  The  season  is 
wasting  rapidly,  and  the  honor  and  interests  of  the  nation  impe- 
riously demand  that  a  deadly  blow  should  be  struck  somewhere. 

In  the  meantime,  the  enemy  continues  to  reinforce  his  posts 
in  this  quarter,  and  to  strengthen  his  position  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Fort  George,  where  the  commander-in-chief  is  now  acting  in 
person.  As  the  success  of  every  operation  will  depend  on  the 
conjunct  exertions  of  the  army  and  navy,  it  is  enjoined  by  the 
executive,  that  a  cordial  co-operation  and  perfect  understanding, 
should  be  maintained  between  the  commanders  of  these  depart- 
ments, respectively. 

Having  submitted  this  statement  of  facts  to  the  consideration 
of  the  council.  Major  General  Wilkinson  requests  their  sentiments 
on  the  following  points,  viz  : 

1st.  To  wait,  in  our  present  position,  a  combat  between  the 
rival  squadrons,  for  the  supremacy  of  the  lake. 

2d.  To  assemble  a  sufficient  force  at  Fort  George  to  cut  up 
the  enemy  in  that  quarter,  then  to  descend  to  this  place,  call  the 
division  from  Champlain,  incorporate  the  whole,  and  make  a  di- 
rect attack  on  Kingston. 

3d.  To  concentrate  all  the  troops  on  the  lake  in  this  vicinity, 
order  the  division  on  Champlain  to  feint  upon  Montreal,  or  to  carry 
a  real  attack  against  it,  should  circumstances  warrant,  and  then 
with  the  troops  assembled  here,  to  reduce  Kingston,  and  proceed 
Bgainst  Montreal,  should  the  season  permit;  or, 

4th.  To  rendezvous  the  whole  of  the  troops  on  the  lake  in 
this  vicinity,  and  in  co-operation  with  our  squadron,  to  make  a 
bold  feint  on  Kingston,  slip  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  lock  up  the 
enemy  in  our  rear  to  starve  and  surrender,  or  oblige  him  to  fol- 
low us  without  artillery,  baggage,  or  provisions, — eventually  to 
lay  down  his  arms;  to  sweep  the  St.  Lawrence  of  armed  craft, 
and  in  concert  with  the  division  under  Major  General  Hampton, 
to  take  possession  of  Montreal. 

Upon  the  various  propositions  submitted  by  the  commander-in- 
chief  to  the  council,  consisting  of  the  general  officers  of  the  divi- 
sion, and  Commodore  Chauncey,  of  the  navy,  they  are  of  opinion 
that, 

1st.  It  is  not  necessary  to  await  the  result  of  a  conflict  between 
the  hostile  squadrons,  as  the  operation  of  the  army  in  the  event 
of  the  adoption  of  either  of  these  propositions,  will  not  depend  on 
a  co-operation  of  the  fleet,  further  than  to  secure  the  passage  of 
the  troops  into  the  St.  Lawrence. 

2d.  The  second  proposition  is  rejected,  because  the  object  ap- 
pears to  be  a  partial  one,  as  far  as  relates  to  the  proposed  opera- 
tion against  the  division  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  George.    The 


i:    ^l 


■%. 


fiOO 


The  War  of  1812-16. 


loss  of  time  also  would  probably  render  it  too  late  to  carry  an 
attack  against  Kingston  this  campaign. 

3d.  This  proposition  is  also  considered  a  partial  operation,  and 
one  for  which  the  force  on  this  lake  might  possibly  prove  inade- 
quate. 

4th.  The  fourth  and  last  meets  the  approbation  of  the  council. 
The  object  appears  feasible,  and,  if  accomplished,  the  upper 
country  must  fall  of  course;  for  it  is  incapable  of  subsisting  the 
enemy's  force  for  any  length  of  time,  and  the  possession  of  Mon- 
treal will  certainly  destroy  the  line  of  communication  between 
the  upper  and  lower  provinces.  The  feint  on  Kingston  is  re- 
served for  future  consideration. 

Morgan  Lewis, 
(Signed)  Isaac  Chavncey, 

Robert  Swartwout, 
Jacob  Brown. 
A  true  copy  from  the  original. 

C.  J.  NouRSE,  Captain  and  A.  D.  C. 

The  relative  force  of  the  two  belligerants  on  the  lake,  on  the 
1st  of  September,  was  as  follows: 

American — General  Pike,  Captain  Sinclair,  34;  Madison, 
Captain  Crane,  24;  Sylph,  Captain  Woolsey,  20;  Oneida,  Lieut. 
Brown,  18;  Duke  of  Gloucester,  10;  Governor  Tompkins,  6; 
Conquest,  3;  Ontario,  2;  Asp,  2;  Fair  American,  2;  Pert,  2; 
Lady  of  the  Lake,  2;  Raven,  1.    Total  126  guns. 

British — General  Wolfe,  32;  Royal  George,  22;  Earl  of  Mo- 
ira,  16;  Prince  Regent,  14;  Simcoe,  12;  Seneca,  4;  Hamilton 
(late  Growler),  5;  Confiance  (late  Julia),  3;  besides  several 
gun-boats.  They  were  then  building  a  40  gun  frigate,  and  two 
sloops  of  war  at  Kingston. 

The  secretary  of  war  arrived  on  the  5th  of  September,  at 
Sackets  Harbor,  the  same  day  that  Wilkinson  reached  Fort 
George.  He  was  induced  to  take  this  position  in  order  to  con- 
sult more  readily  with  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  save  the  de- 
lay that  would  attend  the  receipt  and  transmission  of  intelligence 
at  Washington.  The  army  at  Burlington  under  Hampton  at 
this  time  numbered  4,500  regulars  and  1,000  militia,  who  early 
in  the  month  crossed  to  Plattsburgh,  and  after  making  a  feigned 
movement  upon  Canada,  advanced  westward  to  Chateaugay. 
Large  bodies  of  militia  were  assembled  at  Brownville,  and  other 
places,  and  the  force  at  Sackets  Harbor  amounted  to  2,000  men, 
under  General  Lewis.  Re-enforcements  of  regulars  and  militia, 
were  on  their  march  towards  various  points  of  the  frontier,  and 
the  country  was  alive  with  the  bustle  of  preparation,  and  the 
collection  of  munitions  and  men,  which  would  seem  adequate  for 
the  accomplishment  of  great  results,  but  which  the  chief  mana- 


The  War  of  J812-16. 


601 


ger,  and  director,  appears  to  have  had  either  an  incapacity,  or  a 
disinclination,  to  use  to  the  greatest  advantage. 

Sir  James  Yeo  appeared  oiT  Niagara,  early  in  September,  and 
on  the  17th,  Chauncey,  favored  Mrith  a  breeze,  stood  out  into  the 
lake,  and  not  meeting  the  enemy,  ran  into  Sackets  Harbor, 
whence  in  a  few  hours  he  again  sailed  for  Niagara.  On  the  27th, 
having  learned  that  the  fleet  of  the  enemy  was  at  York,  he  got 
out  of  the  river,  and  on  the  28th  the  Pike,  Madison,  and  Sylph, 
taking  each  a  schooner  in  tow,  sailed  for  York,  and  as  he  ap- 
proached tha^  place,  he  discovered  the  enemy's  fleet  under  way. 
Here  ensued  n  indecisive,  maneuvering  and  running  fight,  in 
which  the  Pike  sustained  considerable  injury,  and  lost  twenty- 
two  of  her  men  by  the  bursting  of  a  gun,  which  also  greatly 
injured  the  vessel.  The  total  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  on 
board  this  vessel,  including  the  loss  by  this  accident,  was  twenty- 
seven.  The  Madison  received  a  few  shot,  but  no  person  was 
hurt;  the  Governor  Tompkins  lost  her  foremast,  and  theOneida 
had  her  main  top  mast  badly  injured. 

About  the  20lh  of  September  a  proposition  was  made  by 
General  Peter  B.  Porter,  Cyrenus  Chapin,  and  Joseph  McClure, 
in  case  the  troops  were  withdrawn  from  Fort  George,  to  raise  a 
volunteer  force  of  1,000  to  1,200  men,  to  be  furnished  with  four 
field  pieces,  arms,  provisions  and  pay,  while  in  the  service,  which 
offer  was  accepted,  and  about  800  regularis  were  to  be  left  to 
garrison  forts  George  and  Niagara,  under  Colonel  Scott.  Ar- 
rangements having  been  made  for  leaving,  the  embarkation  of 
troops  commenced  on  the  26th,  and  on  the  30th  the  flotilla  of 
bateaux  with  the  central  army,  left  Fort  George  for  Sackets 
Harbor,  where  they  arrived  on  the  4th  of  October. 

The  troops  left  at  Fort  George,  after  occupying  the  place  se- 
veral weeks,  abandoned  it,  and,  having  burned  the  village  of 
Newark,  returned  to  the  American  side.  This  provoked  the 
retaliation  of  the  enemy,  who  surprised  the  garrison  at  Niagara, 
captured  the  fort  without  resistance,  slaughtered  a  great  numbej* 
of  its  inmates,  burned  the  villages  of  Black  Rock  and  Buffalo, 
and  laid  waste  the  Niagara  frontiers  with  fire  and  sword.  This 
desolating  invasion  was  without  a  parallel  during  the  war,  and 
occasioned  a  distress  among  the  pioneer  inhabitants,  that  required 
and  received  the  aid  of  the  legislature.  General  McClure,  whose 
burning  of  Newark  provoked  this  visit  of  the  enemy,  soon  after 
published  a  vindication  of  his  course,  and  stated  that  the  act  was 
done  in  pursuance  of  the  orders  of  the  secretary  of  war. 

As  soon  as  the  last  of  the  flotilla  had  left  the  Niagara,  Chaun- 
cey again  sailed  to  divert  or  engage  the  enemy,  and  on  the  5th, 
when  near  the  False  Dueks,  on  the  north  shore  recaptured  the 
Growler  and  the  Julia  (named  Hamilton  and  Confiance  by  the 
32 


11 


m 


602 


The  War  of  18J2-15. 


,^' 


enemy),  the  Mary  Jinn,  the  Drummond  anil  the  Lady  Gore,  gun 
vpssels,  and  causeii  the  enemy  to  abandon  and  burn  a  sixth.  The 
Enterprise,  a  smr.ll  schooner,  was  the  only  one  that  escaped. 
The  prizes,  mo'inrn^j  one  to  three  guns  each,  were  taken  to 
Sackels  Harbor.  T  ley  had  300  troops  of  De  Waterville's  Ger- 
man regiment  on  bo>i)d,  from  the  head  of  the  lake,  but  last  from 
York,  bound  for  Kingston. 

Sackets  Harbor  had  for  several  weeks  been  alive  with  the 
bustle  of  preparation  for  the  approaching  descent  upon  Canada. 
A  great  number  of  armed  boats  and  transports  were  built,  and 
%tf-,  large  quantities  of  supplies  were  collected.     Immediately  after 

Wilkinson's  arrival,  he  waited  upon  the  secretary  of  war  and 
remonstrated  against  making  an  attack  upon  Kingston.  The 
secretary  differed  from  this  opinion,  but  appointed  a  meeting  on 
the  5th  to  hear  the  opinions  and  arguments  on  this  subject.  The 
chief  objection  against  this  attack  arose  from  the  apprehension 
of  delays,  and  the  lateness  of  the  season.  Much  correspondence 
ensued,  in  which  various  modes  of  operation  were  proposed, 
and  several  days  in  a  season  already  too  late  for  operations  of 
this  class  and  magnitude,  were  trifled  away  to  no  purpose.  Gen- 
eral Wilkinson  had  been  sick  at  fort  George,  and  was  still 
unwell. 

At  this  late  season  of  the  year,  when,  with  no  other  enemy 
but  the  weather,  it  would  seem  the  extremity  of  folly  to  attempt 
the  navigation  of  the  lake  in  open  boats,  from  the  peril  arising 
from  sudden  tempests,  it  was  decided  to  pass  the  enemy's  lleet 
and  array,  and  descend  upon  Montreal,  allowing  the  enemy  the 
privilege  of  attacking  on  his  own  territory  in  both  front  and 
rear,  with  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  country  and  its  resour- 
ces, and  every  advantage  that  a  skillful  commander  could  have 
desired,  had  the  selection  of  circumstances  been  left  to  him. 
Viewed  in  its  proper  light,  the  expedition  may  be  justly  con- 
sidered an  outrage  upon  reason  and  common  sense,  and  justly 
entitled  to  the  odium  which  has  been  attached  to  it  and  its 
imbecile  commander;  and  in  its  results  it  forms  one  of  the  dark- 
est pages  of  American  history. 

Our  forces  were  first  to  be  assembled  at  Grenadier  Island,  and  on 
the  16th  of  October  Hampton  was  ordered  by  Wilkinson  to  ad- 
vance to  the  mouth  of  the  Chateaugay,  or  any  other  point  that 
might  better  favor  the  junction  of  the  two  armies,  and  hold  the 
enemy  in  check. 

On  the  12th,  the  plan  of  encampment  and  order  of  battle  on  the 
opposite  page  was  issued,  for  which  we  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Amasa 
Trowbridge  of  Watertown,  who  attended  the  expedition  as  a 
surgeon,  and  was  present  at  several  of  the  engagements  on  the 
Niagara  frontier  in  the  ensuing  campaign. 


■X 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


603 


1.  Third  hrigade.  2.  First  Brigade. 

■■""■"! j  i^'gf^'ifi  E^;;^^  FfMT'^  '|"|"|"i'  ETIi^u] 

4.  5.  C.  7.  8.  9. 


IXrat  Divition, 
Major  General  Moroan  Lewis. 

10.         Fottrtk  Brigade.        11.  Second  Brigade.       12. 

Less    "^^"^-^   rv^'-^'^i  lull   R'>'J?--"'^   K^^vv^r!^    t^S^liMiili 

13.  14.  15.  16.         17.         18. 


Ryiemen. 

LlJDDI 

QQQD 


Second  Diviaion. 
Reserve. 


Rijlemen. 

DDDDE 
DODO 


Park. 

i|ii|ii|ii|ii|ii|ii|ti|i  [^U 


1.  Mnjor  Pitt's  artillery, 

2.  Ciipt  Leonard's  " 

3.  Lt.  Col.  Eustis'    " 

4.  Colonel  Pearce,  I61I1,. . . .  377 

5.  Lieut.  Col.  Cutting,  25th,  502 
(i.  Lieut.  Col.  Aspinwiill,  9th,  468 

7.  Colonel  Preston,  12th,...  361) 

8.  Major  Huykc,  13th, 391 

9.  Colonel  Bissel,  5th, 5.53 


10.  Capt.  Brook's  artillery. 
ll.Cnpt. " 

12.  Capt.  Arcr.ci'd     " 

13.  Lieut.  Colonel  Dix,  14th,  267 

14.  Colonrt  Ripley,  21s:.,...  632 

15.  Lieut.  Col.  Upham,  15th,  449 

16.  Colonel , 459 

17.  Colonel  Brndy, 462 

18.  Brevet  Colonel  Miller,..  368 


This  order  was  to  be  the  same,  where  the  ground  would  per- 
mit, with  the  exception,  that  in  battle,  the  rifle  corps  was  to  act 
on  the  flanks,  or  in  advance  of  the  first  line,  and  the  cavalry 
to  take  post  on  the  flanks  of  the  second  line.  Both  of  these 
corps  were  to  encamp  generally  with  the  reserve. 

On  the  I6th  October,  at  noon,  orders  were  issued  for  the 
heavy,  light,  and  flying  artillery,  commanded  by  Colonels  Por- 
ter, Eustis  and  Macomb,  and  the  fourth  brigade,  commanded  by 
Brigadier  General  Swartwout,  of  the  infantry,  to  embark,  and 
proceed  immediately  to  Bjisin  Harbor,  in  Grenadier  Island.  At 
six  p.  M.  the  whole  embarked,  and  put  off  with  a  favorable 
wind,  the  transports  mostly  consisting  of  scows,  Durham  boats, 
common  lake  sail  boats,  and  bateaux;  containing  besides  offi- 
cers andsoidiersj  ordnance,  ammunition,  hospital  stores,  baggage, 
and  two  months'  provisions  for  the  troops.    Ac  unpardonable 


■M 


? 


604 


The  War  of  1812-16. 


'* 


negligence  was  evinced  during  these,  and  the  following  move- 
mentSj  in  the  custody  and  sale  Keeping  of  the  supplies,  immense 
quantities  of  which  were  ultimately  lost.  There  was  a  deficien- 
cy of  experienced  pilots,  and  the  men  in  the  boats  were  mostly 
unaccustomed  to  (heir  management,  either  in  good  or  bad 
weather,  and  particularly  in  a  dark  night,  and,  in  passing  points 
of  land  where  they  were  unacquainted  with  the  soundings 
and  currents,  and  at  a  season  when  sudder  and  violent  tem- 
pests are  liable  to  arise  without  warning. 

The  wind  and  weather  favored  untifone  o'clock  a.  m.,  when 
the  boats  appeared  to  be  much  scattered;  some  had  landed  on 
Pillar  Point,  and  Point  Peninsula;  some  had  entered  Chaumont 
Bay,  and  other  inlets;  others  had  landed  on  Cherry,  Stony  and 
Horse  islands,  and  others  stood  off  for  Kingston,  where  one  boat, 
with  an  officer  and  ten  men,  is  said  to  have  arrived  in  safety. 
Several  boats  landed  on  Lon^  Island,  in  British  territory,  and 
some  safely  reached  their  destination  at  Basin  Harbor.     At  half 

fiast  two  the  wind  shifted  nearly  ahead,  and  blew  fresh  from  the 
ake,  by  which  many  boats  got  in  the  rear,  and   discovering 
lights  on  the  shore,  attempted  to  reach  them,  in  which  some  suc- 
ceeded.   It  soon  began  to  rain,  and  the  wind  increased  to  a  gale, 
in  which  the  boats  and  scows  which  had  landed,  were  drifted  and 
beaten  on  the  shore,  which  in  some  places  was  rough  and  rocky, 
while  others,  still  on  the  lake,  made  the  first  point  of  land  they 
could  discover,  to  save  themselves.     The  morning  disclosed  a 
scene  of  desolation  truly  distressing.     The  shores  of  the  islands 
and  main  land  were  strewn  with  broken  and  sunken  boats,  and 
the  day  was  spent  in  unloading  such  as  could  be  reached,  and  in 
endeavoring  to  save  sur;h  perishable  articles  as  could  be  found, 
the  gale  continuing  through  that  day  and  the  following  night. 
On  tne  ISth,  the  wind  having  abated,  several  boats  were  got  off 
from  the  rocks,  and  arrived  at  Basin  Harbor,  but  on  the  next 
day  the  storm  increased,  and  several  boats  that  had  attempted  to 
gain  their  rendezvous,  were  driven  back  upon  the  shores.    On 
the  20th  the  day  was  favorable,  and  many  of  the  sound  boats 
reached  Basin  Harbor. 

The  brigades  of  Generals  Brown,  Boyd,  and  Covington  which 
had  encamped  at  Henderson  Harbor,  arrived  at  Grenadier  Island 
on  the  20fh.  Of  the  flotilla  that  had  left  Sackets  Harbor,  fifteen 
large  boats  were  entirely  lost;  many  others,  with  several  scows 
were  much  damaged,  and  a  large  quantity  of  bread  was  destroyed. 
The  troops  remained  encamped  on  the  island  until  the  1st  of 
November,  engaged  in  repairing  the  boats  and  making  prepara- 
tions to  descend  the  St.  Lawrence.  The  weather  meanwhile 
continued  stormy,  and  snow  fell  to  the  depth  of  ten  inches. 
Many  of  the  regulars  were  from  the  southern  states,  and  unac- 


The  War  of  IS  12- 16. 


606 


customed  to  the  severitv  of  a  northern  winter,  and  in  this  expe- 
dition, especially  at  a  later  period,  sulfered  cxtretnelv  from  the 
rigor  of  the  climate,  which  produced  a  frightful  mortality  among 
them. 

On  the  28lh,  19G  of  the  sick  were  put  on  board  a  schooner, 
and  sent  to  Sackets  Harbor.  Wilkinson  arrived  on  the  27th, 
and  finding  a  large  body  still  in  the  rear,  wrecked  or  stranded, 
returned  to  Sackets  Harbor  to  order  a  supply  of  winter  cloth- 
ing and  shoes,  for  the  troops  on  the  island,  some  of  whom  were 
nearly  destitute.  He  observed  many  fires  of  troops  along  the 
shore,  but  the  wind  was  so  violent  that  he  could  not  communicate 
with  them.  On  the  23d,  Colonel  Cole  arrived  with  200  men,  of 
the  12th  regiment,  and  sailed  for  the  rendezvous,  and  the  Growler 
was  sent  to  Oswego  for  Colonels  Randolph  and  Scott,  who  were 
expected  there,  and  as  many  men  as  the  vessel  could  carry.  The 
general  returned  the  same  day  to  Grenadier  Island  and  arrived 
ofT  the  island  at  eight  in  the  evening,  the  weather  continuing 
boisterous  during  this  night  and  the  day  following,  with  fre- 
quent rains  and  heavy  gales,  so  that  a  landing  could  not  be 
effected  until  the  25th. 

In  the  intervals  of  the  gale,  opportunities  were  watched  to 
slip  detachments  of  boats  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  but  so  treach- 
erous were  the  lulls  of  the  tempest,  that  great  peril  was  encoun- 
tered in  passing  from  Grenadier  Island  to  Cape  Vincent,  a 
distance  of  nine  miles.  Many  boats  were  driven  asUore  and 
much  provisions  and  clothing  were  lost.  General  Brown  was 
ordered  to  take  command  of  the  advance  and  post  himself  at 
French  Creek,  where  the  detachments  were  ordered  to  rendez- 
vous. The  Growler  arrived  at  Grenadier  Island  on  the  31st, 
with  230  men  of  the  20th  regiment,  and  on  the  2d  of  November, 
Chauncey  took  a  position  to  protect  the  south  channel,  where 
it  was  apprehended  the  enemy  would  enter  and  occupy  Fort 
Carlton,  which,  with  some  repairs,  woJu  have  effectually  com- 
manded that  channel,  and  compelled  the  American  army  to 
winter  on  Lake  Ontario,  or  run  the  gauntlet  under  the  batteries 
of  Kingston.  Perhaps  no  point  on  the  river  is  so  admirably 
adapted  for  a  strong  military  post,  as  the  head  of  Carlton  Is- 
land, and  it  has  been  justly  called  the  Gibraltar  of  this  pass- 
age. 

On  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  November,  the  enemy  having 
observed  the  concentration  of  our  forces  at  French  Creek,  attacked 
General  Brown  about  sunset  with  two  brigs,  two  schooners,  and 
several  boats  laden  with  infantry.  The  encampment  of  Brown 
was  a  short  distance  up  the  creek,  and  he  had  caused  a  battery 
of  three  eighteen-pounders  to  be  erected  on  Bartlet's  Point,  a 
short  distance  above,  which,  from  its  elevation,  gave  it  a  superi- 


i 


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nmAV.^ 


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506    " 


The  fVar  of  1812-15.    * 


.'■5;;  _ 


orlty  over  that  of  the  enemy.  This  battery  was  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  McPherson,  of  the  light  artillery,  and  was 
served  with  such  etl'ect  that  the  assailants  soon  dropped  down  the 
current  beyond  its  reach.  The  next  morning  the  attack  was  re- 
i^'  iiewed  without  success,  and  one  of  the  brigs  was  with  diilicully 
towed  off  by  the  Mjuadron.  Our  loss  was  two  killed  and  four 
wounded;  that  of  the  enemy,  much  more.  On  the  the  5th,  Gen- 
eral  Wilkinson,  having  collected  his  tempest-tossed  flotilla, 
passed  down  the  river  to  below  Morristown  and  encamped.  It 
IS  not  in  our  province  to  follow  the  details  of  this  disastrous  ex- 
pedition. The  secretary  of  war  proceeded  by  land  as  fnr  as 
Antwerp,  from  whence,  on  the  27th  of  October,  he  returned. 
The  batteries  ut  Prescott  were  passed  in  the  night,  and  on  the 
11th  of  November  was  fought  the  battle  of  Cnrysler's  Field; 
soon  after  which,  the  American  flotilla  entered  Salmon  River, 
and  took  up  winter  quarters  at  French  Mills,  now  Fort  Coving- 
ton.* During  much  of  this  time,  General  Wilkinson  was  con- 
fined to  his  CiU)in,  and,  it  has  been  said  by  some,  was  intoxicated. 
On  the  11th,  General  Hampton  informed  Wilkinson  of  his  ina- 
bility to  meet  him  at  St.  Regis,  and  announced  his  intention 
to  return  to  Lake  Champlain,  whiph  was  dune.  In  February, 
the  camp  at  French  Mills  was  broken  up.  Brown  (who,  on  the 
24th  of  January,  1814,  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major 
general),  conducting  a  part  of  the  army  to  Sackets  Harbor,  and 
the  commander-in-cnief  the  remainder  tq  Platlsburgh. 

This  inglorious  issue  of  events  on  the  northern  frontier  excited 
the  murmurs  of  the  nation,  and  Generals  Hampton  and  Wilkin- 
son were  arraigned  before  courts  martial,  the  latter  being  re- 
moved from  command,  and  succeeded  by  General  Izard. 

To  return  to  the  operations  of  the  American  fleet  on  Lake  On- 
tario, in  the  fall  of  1813:  On  ihe  2d  of  November,  the  Pike  and 
other  armed  vessels  passed  dov\n  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  foot  of 
Long  Mand,  where  they  remained  several  days,  when  they  re- 
rurned  on  (he  12th,  with  the  view  of  laying  up  at  Sackets  Har- 
bor; but  a  litter  from  the  secretary  of  war  was  received,  direct- 
ing Chaunrey  to  sail  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  and  transport  the 
army  of  General  Harrison  to  the  harbor,  for  its  defence  against 
any  attempt  that  might  be  made  from  Kingston.  The  wind  be- 
ing fair,  he  sailed  immediately,  and  the  third  day  after  embarked 
the  troops.  A  violent  snow  storm  and  east  wfnd  ensued,  which 
lasted  three  days,  scattered  the  fleet,  and,  had  it  continued  a  day 
longer,  most  of  our  vessels  must  have  perished  with  their  crews. 
Some  of  them  lost  their  masts,  some  sails,  one  her  rudder,  and 
many  men  were  washed  overboard;  others  rode  out  the  gale  and 
landed  on  the  enemy's  lee  shore.     At  length,  after  great  peril, 


*  Sm  History  9i  St.  L»wr«fiM  and  Fraaldia  CeuntiM,  p«fw  037i  flfifi* 


•^w 


v-« 


The  War  of  181-2-15. 


607 


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«> 
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ti 


the  fleet  all  arrived  at  Sackets  Harbor,  excepting  one  vessel  tliat 
was  ilrlven  on  shore  in  the  Niagara  River,  (ieneral  Harrison, 
Hoon  after  his  arrival  at  the  harbor,  resigned  his  command. 

The  winter  was  devoted  to  the  prosi  cation  of  ship  building, 
which  the  large  addition  made  to  the  British  tlett  at  Kingston, 
was  thought  to  render  necessary.  The  crews  of  the  vessels  em- 
ployed themselves  in  erecting  fortifications,  under  the  direction  of 
Captain  Crane,  who  was  left  in  command  in  the  absence  of 
Chauncey.  Circumstances  render  it  probable  that  the  enemy 
•ere  kept  informed  of  our  movements  by  si)ies,  which  led  to  an 
advertisement  in  April,  by  Chauncey,  offering  $500  reward  for 
the  apprehension  of  eac' .  The  ingenuity  and  boldness  of  some 
of  these  informers  was  i  iinarkable. 

The  official  returns  of  the  department,  on  the  4th  of  March, 
1814,  gave  the  following  as  the  list  of  vessels  then  on  this  sta- 
tion, with  the  denomination  and  number  of  guns  of  each,  and 
names  of  commanders: 

Ship  Oeneral  Pike,  Isaac  Chaimcoy,  Commoilore, ^24  guni 

"       .^fiK/iton,  Wiliiiim  M.  Criino,  Master,  Coinmnndant,....  'iO 

Brig  Oneida,  Thonius  Brown,  Liviitennnt,  CunuiinnHunt, 10 

Schooner  Sylph,  Melnncthon  T.  VVoolsey,  Master,  Cuminanilant,  14 
"        Governor  Tompkins,  St.  Clair  Elliott,  Midshipman, 

Commandant, G 

Hamilton '8 

Growler,. 5 

Pert,  finnw  1 1']  W.  Adams,  Lieutenant,  Commandiitii,.  3 
Co>'  ,sl,  Henry  Wells,  Liouteuant,  Commundtint,. . .  2 
Fmr  ^Imerican,  Wolcott  Chauncey,  Lieutenant,  Com- 

nmndnnt, • 3 

Oniitrio,  John  Stevens,  Sailing  Muster, 2 

^8^,  Philander  A.Jones,  Lieutenant,  Commandant,.     !2 

*  Julia, 2 

•  Elizabeth 1 

"        Ztu/u  o/*  Me  XioAe,  Mervin  P.  Mix, 1    « 

Buinb  vessel,  Mary. 

As  soon  as  the  ice  broke  up,  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  was  sent 
out  to  cruise,  and  on  the  24th  of  April  run  close  into  Kingston 
harbor  and  showed  her  colors  which  wtic  answered  by  the  ene- 
my's fleet  and  batteries.  Their  fleet  appeared  to  be  nearly  ready 
for  a  cruise. 

On  the  night  of  the  25th,  Lieutenant  Dudley  with  two  guard 
boats  fell  in  with  three  of  the  enemy's  in  the  bay,  who  were 
hailed,  but  not  being  properly  answered,  were  fired  upon  when 
the  latter  fled.  A  reinforcement  was  hastily  obtained  but  noth- 
ing was  seen  or  found  of  the  enemy  except  six  barrels  of  pow- 
der, slung  in  pairs  to  be  carried  on  the  shoulders  of  men,  and 
doubtless  intended  to  fire  our  vessels  stealthily.  This  accounted 
for  their  hasty  retreat  when  fired  upon,  for  fear  of  accidental 
evploiioik     This  insidious  plaa  of  the  eaemjr  could  scared/ 


••V,    ' 


'■"$■ 


^ 


illllli 


608 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


have  succeeded,  as,  besides  two  lines  of  guard  boats,  all  the  ap- 
proaches were  secured  by  booms,  and  a  marine  guard  boat,  and 
numerous  sentinels  were  posted  near.  The  guns  of  the  Madison 
that  was  close  to  the  stern  of  the  Superior,  were  kept  loaded 
with  canister  and  bags  of  musket  balls,  to  rake  under  if  neces-  < 
sary. 

The  ariUaments  of  the  small  vessels  were  abandoned  early  in 
the  season,  and  they  were  used  mostly  as  transports.  On  the  1st 
of  May,  the  frigate  Superior  (66  guns),  built  in  eighty  days,  was 
launched,  and  the  day  after  there  occurred  an  incident  w  i  h 
well-nigh  led  to  serious  consequences.  The  ship  carpenters  aud 
sailors,  having  no  interests  in  common  with  the  soldiers,  had 
acquired  a  feeling  of  mutual  hostility,  and  on  this  occasion,  there 
had  been  an  unusual  degree  of  convivial  excess  in  celebrat- 
ing the  launch.  A  dragoon,  being  assaulted  by  two  or  three 
carpenters,  fled  for  protection  to  a  sentinel  placed  over  a  store 
house,  and  with  the  obstinacy  and  insolence  of  half  drunken 
men,  they  were  persisting  in  the  pursuit,  in  which  one  of  their 
number  was  shot,  and  the  remainder  fled.  This  at  once  led  to 
the  most  intense  excitement.  The  ship  carpenters,  with  axes, 
and  adzes,  hastily  rallied,  with  the  sailors,  armed  with  boarding 
pikes  and  cutlasses,  who,  forming  in  a  solid  body,  marched  in 
pursuit  of  the  sentinel.  The  troops  were  hastily  formed  in  a 
hollow  square  around  him  and  drawn  up  in  the  street,  where  they 
stood  prepared  to  meet  and  repel  any  attack,  and  the  former 
had  advanced  to  within  a  few  yards,  and  were  yelling  and  bran- 
dishing their  weapons  in  the  wildest  phrensy  of  rage,  when 
Eckford,  Chauncey  and  Brown,  hastened  to  the  spot,  threw 
themselves  between  the  parties,  and  by  a  well-timed  and  judi- 
cious appeal,  checked  the  advance,  and  soon  persuaded  the  car- 
penters to  desist,  on  the  assurance  that  the  sentinel  should  be 
impartially  tried,  and  suitably  punished,  if  convicted.  He  was 
taken  to  Watertown,  an  examination  held,  and  he  was  sent  to  a 
distant  station  to  be  out  of  their  reach. 

The  Mohawk  and  Jones  were  still  on  the  stocks,  the 
armament  of  which,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Superior,  must  be 
transported  through  Wood  Creek  and  Oswego  rivers,  as  the 
roads  through  the  Black  River  valley  were  nearly  impassable 
from  mud.  This  the  enemy  well  knew,  and  were  also  informed 
that  the  rigging  and  armament  of  these  vessels  was  on  its 
way  to  Oswego.  To  possess  these  suppliesjjwould  be  equivalent 
to  the  destruction  of  our  squadron,  as  without  them  the  new 
ships  could  not  appear  on  the  lake,  nor  could  the  fleet  of  the  pre- 
vious year  venture  out  in  the  presence  of  the  greatly  increased 
naval  armament  of  the  enemy,  with  the  slightest  hopes  of  suc- 
cess.   This  descent  upon  Oswego  was  therefore  planned  with 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


509 


\ 


great  foresi<;ht,  and  had  its  execution  been  as  successful  as  its 
conception  was  bold  and  masterly,  the  beam  of  fortune  must 
have  prepoiuleriited  v\'ith  the  Uritish,  ami  the  results  of  this  cam- 
paign aiii;lit  have  been  as  disnsirous,  as  those  of  the  previous 
year  had  l)een  dbgnive/'dl,  to  the  American  arn»s.  This  fact  be- 
ing remembeied,  will  enable  us  to  duly  estimate  tbe  value  of  the 
services  which  rescued  this  property  from  the  grasp  of  the  ene- 
my, and  secured  the  <leleat  of  the  detachment  lliat  was  sent  in 
quest  of  it,  as  completely  as  could  have  been  possible. 

Oswego  had  not  been  occu[)ied  by  regular  tjoops  since  the 
Revolution,  and  Colonel  Mitchel  had  arrived***  Sackets  Harbor  /f7'-)  >^ 
April  30th,  with  four  companies  of  heavy,  and  one  of  light  ar- 
tillery, serving  as  infantry.  Of  cannon,  the  fort  had  but  iive  old 
guns,  three  of  which  had  lost  their  trunions.  Platforms  and 
pickets  were  repaired,  and  the  place  was  hastily  put  in  as  good  a 
state  of  defence  as  possible;  when  the  enemy  appeared,  on  the 
5th  of  May,  with  a  force  of  four  ships,  three  brigs,  and  a  num- 
ber of  gun-boats.  A  cannonade  was  begun  and  returned  with 
much  spirit,  and  a  landing  attempted,  but  not  accomplished, 
when  the  enemy  stood  off  from  the  shore  for  better  anchorage. 
One  or  two  of  the  enemy's  boats  were  picked  up,  and  guards  were 
stationed  at  various  points  along  the  shore.  At  day  break  on 
the  6th,  the  fleet  again  approached  the  village,  and  after  a  lire 
of  three  hours,  landed  six  hundred  of  DeWaterville's  regiment, 
six  hundred  marines,  two  companies  of  the  Glengary  corps,  and 
three  hundred  and  fifty  seamen,  who  took  possession  of  the  public 
stores,  burned  the  old  barracks,  and  returned  on  board  their  fleet 
on  the  morning  of  the  seventh.  The  land  forces  were  under  Gen- 
n  al  Drummond,  and  the  fleet  under  Commodore  Yeo.  The  naval 
stores  were  then  at  Oswego  Falls  (now  Fulton),  but  Colonel 
Mitchel  having  retired  in  that  direction,  destroying  the  bridges, 
and  filling  the  roads  with  timber  after  him,  the  enemy  thought  it 
inexpedient  to  follow,  and  soon  after  the  fleet  returned  to  its  sta- 
tion near  the  Galloo  Islands,  to  blockade  the  passage  of  the 
stores,  which  it  was  known  must  pass  in  that  vicinity.  These 
stores,  under  the  charge  of  Lieutenant  VVoolsey,  and  escorted  by 
Major  D.  Appling,*  of  1st  rifle  regiment,  with  a  company  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  left  Oswego  on  the  evening  of  the  28th 
of  May,  in  nineteen  boats,  in  the  hope  of  gaining  Stony  Creek 
unmolested,  from  whence  there  would  be  but  three  miles  of  land 
carriage  for  the  heavy  ordnance  and  stores,  to  Henderson  Har- 
bor, twelve  miles  from  Sackets  Harbor.    The  evening  being  dark 

*  Applinj?  was  a  young  ofRcer  from  Georgia,  who, on  the  occasion  alwye  re- 
lated, first  rendered  himself  conspicuous  for  his  personal  valor.  For  this,  on 
the  same  day,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant  Colonel.  He  s^ubse- 
quently  acted  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  battle  of  Flattsburgh.  A  post  oince  ia 
the  town  of  Adams  bears  his  name. 


,  r"'  !i 


'i*vM':f 


m 


The  PVar  of  1812-15. 


and  rainy,  the  brigade  of  boats  rowed  all  night,  and  at  dawn 
on  Sunday  morning  raet  a  party  of  Oneida  Indians,  under  com- 
mand of  Lietunant  Hill,  of  the  rifle  regiment  at  Sahiion  river, 
and  at  noon,  May  29»h,  entered  Sandy  Creek,  except  one  boat, 
which  from  the  misfortune  or  treachery  of  its  pilot,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  This  boat  contained  one  cable,  and  two 
twenty-four  pounders;  and  from  those  on  board  the  enemy 
learned  the  particulars  of  the  expedition,  and  of  the  force  by 
which  it  was  escorted.  Upon  entering  Sandy  Creek,  Lieuten- 
ant Woolsey  sent  an  express  to  notify  Commodore  Chauncey  of 
his  ar/ival,  and  couriers  were  despatched  in  various  directions 
to  rally  teams  to  get  the  stores  removed  by  land  to  their  destination. 
The  boats  were  run  up  the  south  branch  of  the  creek,  till  they 
grounded,  a  distance  of  two  miles  from  its  mouth.  The  lake  is 
here,  for  a  great  distance,  bordered  by  a  low  ridge  of  sand  hills, 
slightly  wooded,  behind  which  is  a  marsh  with  open  ponds. 
Through  this  marsh,  which  is  destitute  of  trees  or  bushes,  and  at 
that  time  vt^as  partly  flowed  from  high  water,  the  two  branches 
of  Sandy  Creek  meander,  and  unite  but  a  few  yards  from  their 
mouth,  where  then,  as  now,  a  solitary  family  dwelt. 

On  Monday  morning,  a  lookout  boat  in  charge  of  Lieutenant 
Pierce,  discovered  the  enemy  making  for  the  creek,  and  commu- 
nicated the  news  to  Lieutenant  Woolsey  who,  at  dawn,  dispatched 
messengers  to  call  in  the  neighboring  militia,  and  made 
hasty  arrangements  to  meet  the  enemy,  who  were  seen  soon  af- 
ter sunrise  to  enter  the  creek  with  three  gun-boats,  three  cutters 
and  one  gig,  and  commenced  a  cannonade  with  a  sixty-eight 
pounder  in  the  direction  of  the  flotilla  of  Lieutenant  Woolsey, 
the  masts  of  which  were  visible  in  the  distance  across  a  bend  in 
the  creek.  These  shots  were  directed  in  part  against  a  thick 
wood,  that  extended  on  the  north  side  of  the  south  branch  to 
nearly  half  a  mile  below  the  boats,  in  the  edge  of  which,  front- 
ing the  open  marsh,  the  rifle  company  of  Major  Appling  was 
concealed  behind  a  brush  and  log  fence,  entirely  unobserved  by 
the  enemy.  At  nine  o'clock,  Captain  Harris,  with  a  squadron 
of  dragoons,  and  Captain  Melvin,  with  a  company  of  light  ar- 
tillery, and  two  six-pounders,  arrived.  This  reinforcement  was 
directed  to  halt  a  short  distance  in  rear  of  the  boats,  as  the  force 
best  calculated  for  a  bush  fight  was  already  on  the  ground  they 
could  occupy  with  the  best  advantage.  Meanwhile,  the  cannon 
were  posted  in  a  position  where  they  could  be  used  with  effect 
if  necessary,  and  the  fences  thrqwn  down,  that  the  dragoons 
might  maneuvre  without  obstruction.  The  enemy  slowly  ad- 
vanced up  the  creek  and  landed  on  the  south  side,  but  finding  it 
impossible  to  proceed,  on  account  of  the  slimy  condition  of  the 
inarsb.  thev  re-embarked  aod  proceeded  ca  to   nitiiiu 


MUOUl 


?5l 


The  fVar  of  1812-15. 


511 


twenty  rods  of  the  woods,  where  they  landed,  and  formed  on  Ihe 
north  bank,  at  a  place  now  occupied  by  a  store  house,  and 
which  afforded  the  first  solid  ground  for  marching.  The  advanc- 
ing column,  headed  by  Mr.  Hoare,  a  mids^  'pman  of  the  British 
navy,  had  approached  to  within  ten  rods  of  the  ambush,  when, 
on  a  signal,'the  riflemen  of  Major  Appling  arose  from  their  con- 
cealment and  fired.  Seve"')!  fell  dead,  and  their  leader  fell 
pierced  with  eleven  ball  oo  sudden  and  efiectual  was  this 
movement,  that  it  threw  .tne  enemy  into  confusion,  and,  after  a 
five  of  a  few  minutes,  the  order  was  given  to  charge,  upon 
uhich  the  rifle  men  rushed  forward  with  loud  cheers,  holding 
their  rifles  in  the  position  of  charged  bayonets.  The  result  was 
the  surrender  of  the  enemy  at  discretion.  This  was  scarcely 
done,  when  the  Indians,  true  to  their  character  as  savages,  came 
furiously  on,  yelling  and  brandishing  their  weapons,  and  were 
with  the  greatest  difficulty  prevented  from  m'ardering  the  dis- 
armed prisoners;  and,  indeed,  it  has  been  generally  believed  that 
one  or  two  British  officers  were  mortally  wounded  after  they  had 
yielded.  The  enemy  were  commanded  by  Captains  Popham 
and  Spilsbury,  and  their  loss  was  nineteen  killed,  fifty  wounded, 
and  133  taken  prisoners.  A  few  landed  on  the  south  bank  and 
fled,  but  were  pursued,  and  not  one  escaped  to  report  their  de- 
f""at.  Among  the  prisoners  were  twenty-seven  marines,  106 
sailors,  with  two  post  captains,  four  lieutenants  of  the  navy,  one 
captain  of  marines,  two  lieutenants  and  two  midshipmen.  The 
captain  of  marines  and  one  midshipman  died  of  their  wounds. 
Popham  is  said  to  have  been  an  old  acquaintance  of  Woolsey's, 
and  as  he  came  forward  to  surrender  his  sword,  the  latter  ex- 
claimed, "  Why,  Popham  !  what  on  earth  are  you  doing  in  this 
creek?"  After  some  indifferent  reply,  and  a  survey  of  our  force, 
he  replied,  "  Well,  Woolsey,  this  is  the  first  time  1  ever  heard  of 
riflemen  charging  bayonets!"  At  the  moment  after  the  first  fire, 
the  enemy  had  attempted  to  retreat,  but  the  recoil  of  their  heavy 
ordnance  had  forced  the  stern  of  their  larger  boats  into  the  mud, 
and  they  found  it  impossible.  Upon  this  they  attempted  to  throw 
overboard  their  armament,  and  succeeded  ;n  getting  out  one 
brass  piece,  but  were  prevented  from  further  mischief  by  our  men. 
Our  loss  was  one  Indian  killed  and  one  rifleman  wounded.  On  the 
morning  of  the  battle.  Captain  Smith  was  ordered  on,  with  120 
marines,  and  Colonel  Mitchell,  with  300  artillery  and  infantry, 
who  did  not  arrive  in  time. to  participate  in  the  engagement. 
The  same  was  the  case  of  the  neighboring  militia,  who  soon 
after  arrived  in  great  numbers. 

The  conduct  of  Lieutenants  Mcintosh,  Calhoun,  McFarland, 
Armstrong,  and  Smith,  and  of  Ensign  Austin,  who  were  under 
MajoF  Appliugi  was  especialiy  ccmuiGudcu  in  his  cluciax  repofis 


': 


f 


612 


Tlw  fVar  of  1812-15. 


of  the  engagement.  The  dead  were  buried,  the  prisoners  marched 
tO(  Sackets  Harbor;  measures  were  taken  to  erect  sheers  for 
unloading  the  heavy  freight,  and,  at  5  p.  m.,  Woolsey  was  relieved 
by  Captain  Kidgeley,  whom  Chuuncey  had  seiic  fur  llie  purpose. 
The  official  report  of  Lieutenant  Woolsey,  acknovvled^^es  the  un- 
remitted exertions  of  Lieutenant  Pierce,  Sailinasl^-r  Vaughan, 
and  Midshipmen  linrt,  Mackey,  and  Canton,  in  the  alFair.  The 
roads  were  then  new,  and  almost  impassable,  and  the  labor  of 
removing  the  guns,  cables,  and  rigging,  was  one  of  no  ordinary 
magnitude.  Tliere  were,  when  the  ilolilla  lelt  Uswego,  twenty-one 
long  32  pounders,  ten  24  pounders,  three  42  pounder  carronades, 
ten  cables,  and  a  quantity  of  shot,  and  other  articles.  A  cable  and 
two  guns  had  been  lost  in  the  boat  that  fell  in  with  the  enemy,  and 
tlie  prizes  taken  in  the  creek  were  one  24  pounder,  a  68  pound  car- 
ronade,  with  several  smaller  cannon,  and  a  ccmsiderable  amount  of 
small  arras,  and  ammunition.  Such  was  the  industry  displayed  in 
this  labor,  that  on  Thursday  there  remained  nothing  but  one  large 
cable,  which  it  was  found  extremely  dithcult  to  load  on  any 
vehicle,  as  it  could  not  be  divided,  and  a  sufficient  number  of 
teams  could  not  be  advantageously  attached  td  it.  In  this  dilemma, 
the  idea  was  suggested  of  bearing  it  upon  the  shoulders  of  men, 
and  the  proposal  was  cheerfully  adopted  by  the  citizens,  who  had 
assembled  to  assist  in  these  operations.  They  were  accordingly 
arranged  in  the  order  of  their  stature,  and  at  the  word  of  com- 
mand shouldered  the  ponderous  cable,  and  took  up  their  line  of 
march  for  Sackets  Harbor,  about  20  miles  distant,  being  as  near 
together  as  they  could  conveniently  walk.  This  novel  procession 
passed  by  way  of  Ellis  Village  and  Smithville,  and  on  the  second 
day  reached  the  Harbor.  As  they  approached  the  town,  the 
sailors  came  out  to  meet  them,  and  with  loud  cheers  relieved  them 
of  their  burden,  and  marched  triumphantly  into  the  village. 

On  the  day  after  the  action,  Sir  James  L.  Yeo  was  informed 
by  a  flag  that  his  expedition  had  been  cut  off,  but  he  continued 
to  blockade  the  passage  for  some  time.  In  about  ten  days,  the 
coast  being  clear,  the  boats  and  prizes  were  taken  around  by 
water  to  Sackets  Harbor.  During  no  time  in  the  war  was  a  more 
complete  victory  gained  at  loss  expense  of  blood  than  this.  The 
enemy  acknowledged  their  defeat  in  the  following  official  order. 

Montreal,  June  7,  3814. 
"  It  is  with  extreme  regret,  we  have  to  acquaint  the  public 
with  the  unfortunate  result  of  a  gallaiU  enterprise  by  the  boats 
of  our  squadron  on  Lake  Ontario,  under  the  command  of  Captains 
Popham  and  Spilsbury,  of  the  royal  navy,  against  a  flotilla  of 
the  enemy's  craft,  laden  with  naval  stores,  which  had  got  into 
Sandy  Creek,  on  its  way  from  Oswego  t  Sackets  Harbor.  On 
the  morning  of  the  20th  ultimo,  a  large  boat,  with  two  24  pound- 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


613 


ers  and  a  19j)  inch  cable  for  the  enemy's  new  ship,  was  captured 
by  our  squadron,  having  sailed  from  OswegO  the  evening  before 
with  15  [18]  others.  Captains  Popham  and  Spilsbury,  with  two 
gun  boats,  atid  some  smaller  craft,  having  on  beard  about  two- 
hundred  seamen  and  marines,  entered  the  creek  on  the  morning 
of  the  30th,  where  the  enemy's  flotilla  were  afterwards  disco- 
vered. Parties  were  landed  on  each  side  of  the  creek  and  pro- 
ceeded, together  with  the  boats,  without  opposition,  to  within  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  enemy,  when  suddenly  a  considerable 
ibrce,  consisting  of  150  rifleraen,  nearly  200  Indians,  and  a 
numerous  body  of  militia  and  cavalry,  attacked  and  soon  over- 
powered our  small  party,  whose  gallant  resistance  to  such  num- 
bers proving  unavailing  .  surrender  became  indispensable  to 
save  our  brave  men  from  certain  death.  Our  loss  on  the  occa- 
sion was  19  killed  and  50  wounded.  Mr.  Boan,  master's  mate  of 
the  Montreal,  and  Lieutenants  Cox  and  Knight  of  the  marines,  are 
severely  wounded.  The  boats  also  fell  into  the  bands  of  the  enemy." 
Just  previous  to  this  event,  the  enemy's  fleet  was  as  follows: 
Ship  Prince  Regent,  58  long  sixty-eight  and  thirty-two  po'nd- 
ers.  Captain  O'Connor,  500  men. 

Ship  Princess  Charlotte,  42  guns,  Captain  Mulcaster,  from 
300  to  400  men. 

Ship  Montreal  (late  Wolfe),  24  guns,  Captain  Downie. 

"    J^iagara  (late  Royal  George),  21  guns.  Captain  Popham. 
Brig  Star  (late  Melville),  16  guns,  Captain  Cover. 

"     Charwell  (late  Earl  of  Moira),  15  guns,  Captain  Dobbs. 
Schooner  Magnet  (late  Sidney  Smith),  12  guns. 

"JSTetty  (Beresford),  10  guns.  Lieutenant  Owens. 
Gunboats,  Lnis,  Cleopatra,  JVinon,  JVelly,  Regent,  Thunderer, 
Wellington,  Retaiiaiion,  Black  Snake,  and  Dreadnought,  each 
with  one  gun. 

During  the  season,  the  Saint  Lavrrence,  a  frigate  of  102  guns, 
made  her  appearance  on  the  lake. 

About  the  middle  cf  May,  reonforcements  began  to  arrive  at 
Sackets  Harbor  from  the  sea  board.  The  Macedonian  was  laid 
up  in  thejlhara^  and  Mr.  Rodgers,  her  first  lieutenant,  with 
the  crew,  arrived  from  the  11th  to  the  21st,  and  Captain  Elliot, 
on  the  12th  of  May.  Captain  Trenchard  reached  the  station  on 
the  15th.  The  enemy  raised  the  blockade  June  5,  and  on  the 
11th,  the  Mohawk,  a  frigate  of  44  guns,  was  launched  at  Sack- 
ets Harbor,  having  been  but  34  days  in  building.* 

*  Henry  Eckford,  the  energetic  ship  builder,  who  directed  this  department, 
acquired  a  large  fortune  in  the  war,  but  was  subsequently  reduced  by  some 
unfortunate  stock  operations.  He  diedat  Constantinople,  November  12. 1832, 
where,  for  several  years,  he  had  been  chief  director  of  the  dock  yards  in  the 
Turkish  Empire.  No  higher  compliment  to  hit  talents  could  be  paid,  than 
that  cf  the  sultan,  who  in  speaking  uf  him  said,  that,  Mtntrica  miut  b» 
CiBBAT,  if  U  could  span  iuch  men  at  Eckford. 


ifii 


614 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


The  crew  of  the  Congress,  38,  repairing  at  Portsmouth,  began 
to  arrive  in  the  middle  of  June,  and  the  British  fleet  recei.ed 
^arge  accessions  to  its  naval  force.  The  care  that  they  evinced 
in  the  selection  of  officers  for  this  lake,  indicates  the  importance 
they  attached  to  its  control,  and  the  industry  that  both  nations 
displayed  in  the  fitting  out  of  large  vessels,  seemed  to  portend  a 
mighty  struggle  for  its  supremacy.  There  occurred,  meanwhile, 
some  operations  on  a  minor  scale  that  demand  our  notice. 
With  the  view  of  cutting  off  some  of  the  detachments  of  boats, 
that  were  ascending  the  St.  Lawrence  with  supplies,  Chauncey 
about  the  middle  of  June,  directed  Lieutenant  Francis  H.  Grego- 
ry to  take  three  gigs,  with  their  crews,  and  secrete  himself 
among  the  Thousand  Islands,  to  watch  for  some  opportunity  to 
surprise  and  bring  off,  or  destroy  some  of  these  brigades  of  loaded 
boats. 

This  expedition  consisted  of  Lieutenant  Gregory,  William 
Vaughan,*  and  Samuel  Dixon,  sailing  masters,  and  eighteen  men, 
armed  with  rifles,  pistols  and  cutlasses.  They  saw  two  brigades  of 
boats  passing  up  but  full  of  troops  and  too  strong  to  attack,  and 
another  passing  down  and  not  worth  taking.  Gun-boats  were 
found  stationed  about  once  in  six  miles  and  a  system  of  tele- 
graphs erected  on  the  heights,  so  that  intelligence  could  be  con- 
veyed with  great  dispatch.  On  the  19th,  the  party  were  laying 
close  under  the  Canada  shore,  four  miles  be!ow  Alexandria  Bay, 
and  near  Bald  Island,  when  a  gun-boat  was  coming  down  under 
easv  sail,  but  nearer  the  middle  of  the  channel.  Upon  seein^r 
the  boats,  an  officer  with  one  or  two  men,  was  sent  in  a  skiff 
that  was  in  tow,  to  make  inquiries  of  them,  supposing  them  to 
be  Canadians.  Upon  approaching,  Gregory  hailed  the  strangers, 
demanding  their  surrender,  which  from  necessity  was  obeyed; 
but  those  on  board  seeing  the  movement  opened  a  fire,  which 
was  returned.  The  vessel  was  soon  taken  and  found  to  be  the 
Black  Snake,  or  No.  9,  Captain  Landon,  with  one  eighteen 
pounder,  and  18  men,  chiefly  royal  marines.  The  prize  was 
taken  in  tow  and  when  a  mile  and  a  half  below  French  Creek 
was  met  by  a  British  gun-boat.  Finding  escape  impossible,  the 
prisoners  and  small  arms  were  taken  out  and  their  prize  scuttled. 
The  enemy  arrived  soon  after,  but  not  being  able  to  save  it  from 

*  William  Vaughan,  was  born  August  15,  1776,  at  Wilkesbarrie,  Pa,,  and 
in  1794  first  visited  Canada,  while  Oswego,  Fort  Carlton,  and  Oswcgatchie, 
were  he|d  by  the  British,  and  in  crossing  the  lake  was  required  to  take  out  a 
British  jiassport  between  American  ports.  In  1797,  he  again  returned,  and 
soon  after  engaged  in  lake  navigation.  In  1812,  he  was  employed  as  sailing 
master,  and  was  prominent  and  active  in  that  capacity  through  the  war.  He 
subsequently  resumed  the  mariner's  life,  and  was  successively  master  of  the 
steamers  Sophia,  Ontario,  Brownville,  William  Avery,  Telegraph,  and  Martha 
OgJen  on  Lakt  Ontario.  He  has  for  many  years  resided  at  Sacksti  Harbor, 
as  sailing  master,  under  pay  of  government. 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


515 


sinking  pursued  Gregory's  party  several  miles.  Night  coming 
on,  he  escaped,  reached  Grenadier  Island  late  in  the  evening,  and 
the  next  day  arrived  safe  at  Sackets  Harbor  with  his  prisoners. 
The  commodore,  in  his  official  report,  warmly  recommended 
Gregory,  Vaughan  and  Dixon,  to  the  notice  of  the  department, 
for  their  activity  zeal  and  success  in  the  cruise.  Congress,  by 
an  act  passed  May  4,  1834,  awarded  Gregory  and  his  men 
$3,000  for  this  service. 

On  the  26th  of  June,  Chauncey,  finding  that  the  capture  of  the 
Black  Snake  had  created  a  considerable  uneasiness  with  the. 
enemy,  resolved  upon  disturbing  them  in  another  quarter,  and 
sent  Lieutenant  Gregory,  with  Vaughan  and  Dixon,  ;i  the  two 
largest  gigs,  to  Nicholas  Island  (about  seven  miles  from-  Presque 
Isle  Harbor),  to  lie  in  wait  for  some  transports,  expected  to  be 
sent  past  that  place,  for  York  and  Fort  George.  If  they  did  not 
pass  within  three  or  four  days,  they  were  ordered  to  land  at  Pres- 
que Isle,  and  burn  a  large  schooner,  then  on  the  stocks.  The  day 
after  they  arrived  on  the  coast,  Gregory  discovered  a  vessel  which 
he  was  about  to  attack,  but  was  hindered  by  the  appearance  of  a 
gun  boat,  both  of  which  stood  in  for  Presque  Isle  Harbor.  He 
immediately  secreted  himself,  and  at  night  sent  a  boat  to  take  off 
one  of  the  inhabitants,  from  whom  he  learned  that  his  presence 
upon  the  coast  was  known,  and  had  occasioned  the  sending  of 
two  expresses  to  Kingston.  To  anticipate  any  preparations  for 
resistance,  he  at  once  landed,  placed  guards  at  the  houses  to  pre- 
vent alarm,  and  set  fire  to  the  vessel,  which  was  stout,  well  built, 
fitted  for  fourteen  guns,  and  nearly  ready  to  launch.  When  the 
vessel  and  a  small  building  that  contained  the  stores  intended  for 
the  vessel,  were  consumed,  Gregory  reeinbarked,  without  having 
allowed  his  men  to  enter  a  house,  crossed  to  Oswego,  and  arrived 
at  Sackets  Harbor  on  the  6th  of  July. 

On  the  9th  of  August,  Abram  Shoemaker,  with  his  brother 
and  a  Mr.  Sergeant,  in  a  boat,  bound  from  Oswego  to  Sackets 
Harbor,  was  attacked  off  Stony  Point  by  a  British  barge,  under 
a  lieutenant  of  marines,  and  after  a  valiant  resistance  was  cap- 
tured. After  securing  the  prize,  the  lieutenant  sent  all  his  men 
to  join  another  boat's  crew,  except  four,  which  number  he  deemed 
sufficient  to  secure  her.  Seizing  a  proper  moment,  and  without 
waiting  for  a  concerted  signal,  Shoemaker  pushed  the  lieutenant 
overboard,,knocked  down  a  sailor,  and,  calling  upon  his  comrades 
to  help,  soon  found  himself  the  master  of  the  boat,  but  severely 
wounded  by  a  cutlass.  The  movement  being  seen  by  the  other 
boat,  they  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  prize,  and  succeeded  in 
reaching  Sackets  Harbor,  in  a  small  boat. 

While  these  minor  operations  were  occurring  at  this  end  of 
the  lake,  the  American  army,  on  the  Niagara  frontier,  was  act- 


^, 


v-- 


I  i 


-t;.^,  JT-T-"   r^-, 


u: 


616 


The  PVar  of  1812-15. 


ively  engaged  in  those  aggressive  movements  which  gave  cele- 
brity to  the  names  of  Brown,  Porter,  Scott,  Miller,  Ripley,  and 
others,  and  conferred  honor  upon  our  national  character  for  valor. 

General  Gaines  remained  at  Sackets  Harbor,  from  whom  Major 
General  Brown  received  word,  on  the  23d  of  July,  that  the  fleet 
was  in  that  port,  and  that  the  commodore  was  sick.  The  riflemen 
and  a  battering  train  of  artillery  were  much  needed  on  the  Nia- 
gara frontier,  but  the  American  squadron  did  not  get  vnder  way 
before  the  close  of  the  month.  On  the  31st  of  July,  the  SuperioTf 
62  (Commodore  Chauncey),  Lieutenant  Elton;  Moliaw/c,  42, 
Captain  Jones;  Pike,  28,  Captain  Crane;  Madison,  24,  Captain 
Trenchard;  y<^er^on,  22,  Captain  Ridgely;  Jones,  22,  Lieutenant 
Woolsey ;  Sylph,  14,  Captain  Elliot;  Oneida,  16,  Lieutenant 
Commodore  Brown;  and  Lady  of  the  Lake,  a  cruiser,  sailed,  and 
arrived  off  Niagara,  August  5th.  On  the  7th.  his  majesty's  brig 
Melville,  14  guns,  was  chased  ashore  about  lOur  miles  from  Nia- 
gara, when  she  was  fired  by  the  enemy,  and  in  a  little  time 
blew  up. 

General  Izard  arrived  September  16th,  with  4,000  men,  at 
Sackets  Harbor  from  Lake  Champlain,  by  the  circuitous  route  of 
the  Mohawk  and  Black  River  valleys,  and  on  the  19th,  3,000 
men  embarked,  but  a  gale  prevented  their  sailing  until  the  21st. 
On  the  next  day  they  landed  at  the  Genesee  River,  and  reached 
Batavia  on  the  26th.  By  an  order  of  September  27th,  from  the 
secretary  of  war,  he  was  directed  to  take  the  command  of  the 
Niagara  frontier.  A  body  of  artillery,  under  LieutenantColonel 
Mitchell,  and  two  battalions  of  infantry  (the  13th,  under  Major 
Malcolm,  and  the  45th,  under  Major  Brevoot)  were  left  to  defend 
the  harbor.  The  command  was  soon  after  assumed  by  General 
^Jrown.  On  the  30th  of  September,  a  gig  belonging  to  the  Su- 
perior, with  an  officer  and  four  men,  captured  several  boats  at  . 
the  head  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  laden  with  a  valuable  cargo  of 
goods  bound  for  Kingston,  and  brought  it  into  Sackets  Harbor. 

Great  apprehenrloi."  were  felt  in  the  fall  of  this  year  for  the 
safety  of  the  harbor,  which  led  to  an  application  to  the  execu- 
tive for  aid.  Colonel  Washington  Irving,  aid-de-camp  to  the 
Governor,  arrived  at  this  station  October  5,  1814,  with  orders  to 
the  commanding  officer  to  make  such  requisitions  on  the  militia 
as  he  might  deem  necessary.  After  consultation  with  Colonel 
Mitchell,  General  Collins  called  the  militia,  en  masse,  from  the 
counties  of  Herkimer,  Oneida,  Lewis,  and  Jefferson.  The  two 
former  produced  about  2,500  men,  the  latter  not  more  than  400, 
which  made  the  force  at  the  harbor  between  five  and  six  thou- 
sand men.  Great  difficulty  M'as  experienced  from  the  want  of 
suitable  quarters  for  so  great  a  body.  Many  were  quartered  in 
dwellings  and  barns,  and  from  twenty  to  thirty  were  often  as- 
signed to  a  single  room.    The  discomforts  attending  these  accom- 


"''^ 


l*"- 


ave  cele- 
pley,  and 
for  valor, 
om  Major 
:  the  fleet 
e  riflemen 
the  Nia- 
nder  way 
SuperioTf 
iw/c,  42, 
,  Captain 
lieutenant 
lieutenant 
liled,  and 
sty's  brig 
from  Nia- 
ittle  time 

)  men,  at 

s  route  of 

th,  3,000 

the  21st. 

i  reached 

from  the 

(I  of  the 

ilColonel 

er  Major 

to  defend 

General 

» the  Su- 

boats  at 

cargo  of 

larbor. 

for  the 

le  execu- 

to  the 

orders  to 

e  militia 

Colonel 

jfrom  the 

The  two 

lan  400, 

six  thou- 

want  of 

rtered  in 

iften  as- 

e  accom- 


The  War  of  1812-15. 


•         ^v^ 


617 


modations  very  naturally  excited  uneasiness,  and  at  the  expira- 
tion of  the  draft,  it  was  apprehended  that  the  militia*  '.vould  be 
with  di^culty  prevented  from  going  home,  and  that  it  would 
become  necessary  to  supply  their  places  by  regulars.  The  ap- 
prehensions were  not  justified  by  the  events  that  followed,  and 
the  milita  were  allowed  to  return  home.  Two  frigates  of  the 
largest  class  were  begun,  one  on  Navy  Point,  in  Sackets  Har- 
bor, to  be  called  the  JVcto  Orleans,  and  another  of  the  same 
class  at  Storr's  Harbor,  farther  up  the  bay,  to  be  called  the 
Chippewa,  were  begun  and  their  hulls  partly  completed,  when 
the  news  of  peace  put  a  stop  to  the  work. 

An  agreement  was  entered  into  ai  Washington,  in  April, 
1817,  between  Richard  Rush,  at  that  time  secretary  of  state,  and 
Charles  Bagot,  his  Britannic  majesty's  envoy,  to  the  effect  that 
but  one  vessel  of  not  more  than  one  hundred  tons  burden,  and 
armed  with  one  eighteen  pound  cannon,  should  bemaintaind  on 
li>kes  Ontario  and  Champlain,  and  this  having  been  approved 
between  the  two  governmenis,  was  notified  by  a  proclamation  by 
.lames  Monroe,  president,  date  J  April  28,  1818.  The  Lady  of 
the  Lake,  with  three  pivot  guns  on  deck,  and  the  brig  Jones, 
with  eighteen  guns  on  deck,  were  kept  up  till  this  treaty,  the 
Pike,  Jefferson,  Mohawk,  Madison,  Superior,  and  Sylph,  having 
been  dismantled  soon  after  the  peace.  The  Jones,  and  fifleeii 
barges,  were  in  1816  reported  in  good  onler.  Most  of  these 
vessels  were  covered  with  a  roof,  but  in  the  annual  returns  of  the 
department,  were  successively  marked  "  much  decayed,"  "  sunk," 
*'  useless,"  &c.,  until  March  3,  1824,  when  an  act  was  passed 
directing  all  the  public  vessels  on  lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  ex- 
cept the  ships-of-the-line  New  Orleans  and  Chippewa,  then  on  the 
stocks  under  cover,  to  be  sold,  and  the  avails  to  be  applied  to  the 
repair  and  building  of  sloops  of  war.  Until  this  act,  the  Lady  of 
the  Lake,  with  one  pivot  gun,  had  been  kept  up.  Of  all  this 
formi<lable  fleet,  the  unfinished  hull  of  the  New  Orleans  now 
alone  remains,  having  been  preserved  in  the  same  condition  as  in 
1815,  by  a  house  built  over  it. 

Of  Mailison  Barracks  we  have  given  an  account  on  page  181 
of  this  v.ork.  The  condition  of  the  fortifications  at  this  place  at 
thi<  close  of  the  war  is  thus  described  by  an  English  writer:* 

**  A  low  point  of  land  runs  out  from  the  north  west,  upon 
which  is  the  dock  yard,  with  large  store  houses,  and  all  the  re- 
quisite buildings  belonging  to  such  an  establishment.  Upon  this 
point  is  a  very  poweiful  work,  called  Fort  Tompkins,  having 
within  it  a  strong  block  house,  two  stories  high;  on  the  land, 
side  it  is  covered  by  a  strong  picketing,  in  which  there  are 
embrasures;  twenty  guns  are  mounted,  besides  two  or  tMreemQi- 


I 


*  Bsucbtitte^s  Caiiada-,  p.  €20. 

33 


mi 


Vi' 


618 


The  War  qf  IS12-15. 


tars,  with  a  furnace  for  heating  shot.  At  the  bottom  of  the  har« 
bor  is  the  village,  that  contains  from  sixty  to  seventy  houses, 
and,  to  the  soutnward  of  it,  a  barrack  capable  of  nocommodating 
two  thousand  men,  and  generally  used  for  the  marines  belonging 
to  the  fleet.  On  a  point  eastward  of  the  harbor,  stands  Fort  Pike, 
a  regular  work,  surrounded  by  a  ditch,  in  advance  of  which  there 
is  a  strong  line  of  picketing;  in  the  centre  of  the  principal 
work,  there  is  a  block  house,  two  stories  high;  this  fort  is  armed 
with  twenty  guns.  About  one  hundred  yards  from  the  village, 
and  a  little  to  the  westward  of  Fort  Tompkins,  is  Smith's  can- 
tonment, or  bari;i>  k,  strongly  built  of  logs,  forming  a  square, 
with  a  block  house  at  each  corner;  it  is  loopholed  on  every 
side,  and  capable  of  making  a  powerful  resistence;  twenty>five 
hundred  men  have  been  accommodated  in  it.  A  little  further 
westward,  another  fort  presents  itself,  built  of  earth,  and  strong- 
ly  palisaded,  having  in  the  centre  of  it  a  block  house,  one  story 
high;  it  mounts  twenty  eight  guns.  Midway  between  these  two 
works  is  a  powder  magazine,  enclosed  within  a  very  strong 
picketing. 

By  the  side  of  the  road  that  leads  to  Henderson  Harbor,  stands 
Fort  Virginia,  a  square  work,  with  bastions  at  the  angles,  cov- 
ered with  strong  line  of  palisades,  but  no  ditch;  it  is  armed  with 
sixteen  guns,  and  has  a  block  house  in  the  middle  of  it.*  Fort 
Chauncey  is  a  small  circular  tower,  covered  with  plank,  and 
loopholed  for  the  use  of  musketry,  intended  ibr  a  small  arm  de- 
fence only.  It  is  situated  a  small  distance  from  the  village,  and 
commands  the  road  that  leads  to  Sandy  Creek.  In  addition  to 
those  works  of  strength,  there  are  several  blor.k  houses  in  differ- 
ent situations,  that  altogether  render  the  place  very  secure,  and 
capable  of  resisting  a  powerful  attack;  indeed,  from  recent 
events,  the  Americans  have  attached  much  importance  to  it,  and 
with  their  accustomed  celerity  have  spared  no  exertions  to  ren- 
der it  formidable." 

The  revenue  cutter  Jefferson  was  built  by  government  at  Os- 
wego, for  public  service  on  Lake  Ontario,  in  the  sumn>er  of 
1844.  She  was  162  feet  long,  24  feet  beam,  pierced  for 
sixteen  guns,  with  one  long  sixty-eight  on  a  pivot  on  deck. 
She  was  built  of  iron  by  Messrs.  Knapp  &  Co.,  of  Pittsburgh, 
after  the  model  of  the  Princeton,  and  to  be  propelled  by  steam 
on  the  same  principle.f  She  was  to  be  commanded  by  Lieuten- 
ant Charles  W.  Bennet,  of  the  revenue  service.  After  service 
on  the  lake  one  or  two  seasons,  this  vessel  passed  down  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  has  since  been  upon  the  high  seas. 

*  This  block  bouse  is  still  standing.  It  is  square,  and  two  stories  high, 
with  the  second  story  placed  obliquely  across  the  first,  so  as  to  leave  its  cor* 
ners  over-hanging,  while  the  corners  of  the  first  story  are  covered  by  roofs. 
The  roof  slopes  from  the  centre  to  each  side.    tBy  screw  wheels  in  stern. 


The  Eventt  oj  1837-40.  619 


CHAPTER  XIV.        !  >' 

niE  EVENTS  OF  1837-1840.       i     '' 

The  aoortive  attempt  to  revolutionize  the  Canadas,  generally 
denominated  the  Patriot  ^f'ar,  has  claims  to  our  notice,  from  the 
fttct  that  JelFerson  County  was  the  theatre  of  excitement,  and  the 
scene  of  follies  and  excesses  that  for  some  time  became  the  ab< 
sorbing  theme  of  discussion  throughout  the  country,  and  called 
into  exercise  the  military  force  nf  the  country,  to  suppress  these 
indications  of  sympathy  with  measures  that  threatened  to  disturb 
our  amicable  relations  with  a  neighboring  government. 

Without  attempting  a  discussion  of  the  origin  or  merits  of  this 
movement,  we  shall  limit  ourselves  to  a  recital  of  the  events  that 
transpired  in  the  county,  ur  with  which  our  citizens  were  di- 
rectly interested. 

The  burning  of  the  steamer  Caroline,  near  Niagara  Falls,  on 
the  29lh  of  December,  1837,  by  a  band  of  men  from  Canada, 
aroused  a  general  indignation  throughout  the  country,  and  our 
citizens,  everywhere,  irrespective  of  party,  held  meetings  to 
denounce  the  act,  and  to  call  upon  the  executive  to  provide  for 
the  protection  of  our  shores  against  invasion  by  subjects  of  a 
foreign  power. 

In  accordance  with  this  feeling,  congress,  on  the  30th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1838,  ai)propriated  $6'25,000  i'or  the  protection  of  the 
northern  frontier,  and  calling  out  militia  or  volunteers,  or  adopt- 
ing such  other  measures  as  might  be  deemed  necessary  by  the 
secretary  of  war,  under  the  direction  of  the  president.  On  the 
same  day  a  circular  was  issued  at  Watertown,  signed  by  six  well 
known  citizens,  asking  contributions  in  money,  provisions,  and 
clothing,  in  aid  of  the  political  refugees  from  Canada,  who  had 
taken  shelter  among  us.  They  disclaimed  any  intention  of  aid- 
ing the  revolutionary  movements,  and  professed  to  be  law-abiding 
and  order-loving  citizens. 

Meanwhile,  secret  clubs,  known  as  Hunter  Lodges,  had  been 
instituted  in  most  of  the  villages,  at  which  plans  for  invading 
Canada  were  discussed,  moneys  raised  for  procuring  arms  ar>u 
ammunition,  companies  enlisted,  intelligence  communicated  in 
circulars  and  by  cypher,  and  an  arbitrary  system  of  names  for  the 
several  officers  in  the  proposed  service  was  agreed  upon,  to  pre- 
vent detection.  Preparations  were  made  for  an  attack  upon 
Canada  while  the  St.  Lawrence  was  still  bridged  with  ice,  and 
Kingston  was  selected  as  a  point  upon  which  an  enterprise  was 
to  be  undertaken. 


^ 


!f 


1 


I    I 


mm 


■fe 


610 


the  EMntt  of  1837-40. 


11: 


On  the  night  of  the  ]9lh  of  February,  the  state  arsenal  at 
Watertown  was  entered,  and  four  hundred  stand  of  arms  were 
stolen  by  persons  who  were  supposed  to  be  concernrd  in  these 
movements.  A  reward  of  $250  was  offered  for  the  apprehen- 
sion of  the  authors  of  this  outrage,  bu*  failed  to  procure  the 
intelligence  sufficient  to  warrant  their  an  t.  A  portion  of  tlie 
stolen  property  was  afterwards  recovered.  The  arsenals  at  Ba- 
tavia,  and  Elizabethtuwn  were  also  plundered,  and  with  these,  and 
other  means,  a  supply  of  arms  and  ammunition  sufficient  for  exten- 
sive military  operations  were  collected  and  concealed.  On  Tues- 
day, February  20,  in  the  afternoon  and  evening,  forces  began  to 
/  arrive  at  Clayton  (French  Creek),  with  a  supply  of  arms  and 
/  munitions,  consisting,  it  is  said,  of  4,000  stand  of  arms,  20  bar- 
'^  rels  of  cartridges,  500  long  pikes,  and  some  provisions.  Several 
hundred  men  under  General  Rensselaer  Van  Rensselaer  arrived 
in  sleighs,  from  various  places  in  this  and  adjoining  counties, 
(  with  the  avowed  design  of  making  a  lodgment  at  Gananoqui 
from  whence  an  attack  was  to  be  attempted  upon  Kingston.  The 
day  following  was  intensely  cold,  and  the  men  suffered  much 
from  exposure.  There  was  little  discipline,  and  less  organiza- 
tion among  this  promiscuous  assemblage;  and  even  among  those 
who  affected  the  command,  there  was  a  mutual  jealousy,  and  a 
want  of  energy  and  decision,  which  a  conscious  sense  of  recti- 
tude, and  high  conviction  of  duty  can  alone  inspire.  A  portion  rf 
these  repaired,  on  foot  and  in  sleighs,  to  Hickory  Island,  on  the 
British  side  of  the  channel,  about  seven  miles  from  Clayton.  It 
is  said  that  McKenzie  was  here  dissatisfied  that  Van  Rensselaer 
was  to  command,  which  threw  a  damper  on  the  whole  affair. 
On  calling  for  volunteers  to  proceed,  eighty-three  appeared  at 
the  first,  seventy-one  at  the  second,  and  thirty-five  at  the  third 
call;  then,  acting  upon  the  maxim  of  "  every  man  for  himself," • 
this  motley  band  dispersed;  the  officers,  with  the  utmost  difficulty, 
retaining  a  sufficient  number  to  remove  the  arms  they  had  taken 
over.  It  would  seem  that  very  little  was  to  be  apprehended 
from  such  invasions;  yet  the  rumor  of  this  movement,  reaching 
Kingston,  occasioned  some  uneasiness,  and  preparations  were 
made  to  resist  any  attack  that  might  be  made,  or  act  on  the  of- 
fensive should  the  occasion  require  it. 

From  the  Kingston  papers,  we  learn  that  Colonel  Cubitf, 
R.  A.,  commandant,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bonnycastle,  com- 
manding the  militia  of  that  post,  aided  by  the  magistrates,  organ- 
ized a  force  of  1600,  a  part  of  whom  took  a  strong  position  on 
Wolf  Island.  Arrangements  were  made  to  attack  the  invaders 
at  their  rendezvous,  but  before  the  morning  of  the  23d  dawned, 
the  patriot  chieftain  had  fled,  like  Ben-hadad  the  Syrian,*  with 

*  II  King!,  vii. 


The  Eoentt  qf  1837-iO. 


621 


no  one  in  pursuit,  and  leaving  in  his  haste  a  part  of  the  weapons 
and  supplies  he  had  carried  into  the  territory  of  his  enemy. 

This  panic  is  said  to  have  been  enhanced  by  the  declaration 
of  a  militia  ca[)tain,  of  the  war  of  ]812  who  passed  up  and 
down  the  crowd,  and  proclained  with  a  loud  voice,  that  oe/ore 
morning  they  would  be  all  massacred/  The  thought  of  this 
awful  iate  gave  wjngs  to  their  flight,  and,  in  an  incredibly  short 
space  of  time,  the  new  recruits  were  dispersed  to  their  homes, 
and  the  village  was  relieved  of  their  prtsence.  The  next  day, 
a  British  patty  visited  the  island,  and  found  among  other  things 
H  quantity  of  broken  iron,  intended  to  have  been  used  as  slugs, 
instead  of  grape  shot. 

Two  citizens  of  Clayton  (John  Packard  and  George  Hulsen- 
berg)  were  captured  and  lodged  in  Kingston  jail. 

Soon  after  this  aft'air,  two  companies  of  militia  were  call'd 
out  and  stationed  at  Cape  Vincent,  and  about  half  a  dozen  ic 
Clayton,  where  they  remained  several  weeks,  to  intercept  luy 
other  expedition  that  might  be  fittc'  out  against  C&  . 'h. 

On  the  10th  of  March,  an  act  was  passed  by  c<  ngiss,  em- 
powering **  the  several  collectors,  naval  omceiu,  surveyors, 
inspectors  of  customs,  the  marshals  and  deputy  marshals  of  the 
United  States,  and  every  other  officer  who  might  be  specially 
empowered  by  the  president,  to  seize  and  detain  any  vessel,  or  any 
arms,  or  munitions  of  war,  which  may  be  provided,  or  prepared  for 
any  military  expedition  or  enterprise  against  the  territory  or  domin. 
ions  of  any  foreign  prince  or  state,  or  of  any  colony,  district  or 
people  adjacent  to  the  United  States." 

On  the  night  between  the  29th  and  30th  of  May,  1838,  the 
British  steamer  Sir  Robert  Peel  was  plundered  and  burned  at 
Well's  Island,  under  the  following  circumstances.  This  boat 
was  owned  by  David  E.  0.  Ford,  of  P-  ickville,  Jonas  Jones,  of 
Toronto,  William  Bacon,  of  Ogdensbt  "'»,  each  a  quarter,  and 
the  other  quarter  by  George  Sherwood  and  Henry  Jones,  trus- 
tees of  the  creditors  of  Horace  Billings  &  Co.,  of  Brockville. 
She  was  built  at  the  latter  place  at  a  cost  of  $44,000,  and  first 
came  out  in  June,  1837.  She  was  160  feet  long  and  30  feet 
beam,  and  was  commanded  by  John  B.  Armstrong.  She  was 
then  on  her  w  ay  from  Prescott  to  Toronto,  with  nineteen  passen- 
gers, and  had  left  Brockville  in  the  evening,  which  was  dark 
and  rainy,  and  arrived  at  McDonnel's  wharf,  on  the  south  side 
of  Well's  Island,  in  Clayton,  at  midnight,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  on  wood. 

Threats  of  vliolence  had  been  intimated,  and  before  the  steamer 
had  left  Brockville,  it  was  hinted  to  one  on  board  that  there  was 
danger  of  an  attack,  but  this  threat  was  not  regarded.  The 
passengiers  w«re  asleep  in  the  cabioi  and  the  crew  had  been  en- 


1 


' 


m 


i  ! 


I' 


I 


^ ',. 


11 


?   f!'j!- 

A 

3 


622 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 


s 


gaged  about  two  hours  in  taking  on  wood,  when  a  company  of 
twenty-two  men,  disguised,  and  painted  like  savages,  and  armed 
with  inuskels  and  bayonets,  rushed  on  board,  yelling,  and  shout- 
ing" remember  the  Caroline  !"  drove  the  passengers  and  crew 
to  the  shore,  allowing  but  a  hasty  opportunity  lor  removing  a 
small  part  of  the  baggage,  and  towards  morning,  having  cast  off 
the  boat  into  the  stream,  to  abuut  thirty  rods  distance,  set  it  on 
fire.  The  scene  of  confusion  and  alarm  which  this  midnight 
attack  occasioned  among  the  passengers,  can  be  better  imagined 
than  described. 

Some  of  them  fled  to  the  shore  in  their  night  clothes,  and 
a  considerable  portion  of  their  baggage  was  lost.  After  the  boat 
Avas  filed  in  several  places,  the  party,  including  Thomas  Scott,  a 
passenger  (a  surgeon,  who  had  remained  to  dress  a  wound), 
got  into  two  long  boats,  and  steered  for  Abel's  Island,  four  miles 
from  Wells's  Island,  where  they  arrived  about  sunrise.  He  stated 
that  there  were  twenty-two  persons  beside  himself  and  the 
wounded  man  in  the  two  boaii.  These  brigands  were  known 
to  each  other  by  fictitious  names,  as  Tecuraseh,  Sir  William 
W^allace,  Judge  Lynch,  Captain  Crocket,  Nelson,  Captain 
Crocker,  Bolivar,  and  Admiral  Benbo.  Several  thousand 
dollars  in  one  package,  and  also  smaller  sums,  were  taken 
from  the  boat,  with  various  articles  of  clothing.  The  only 
house  in  the  vicinity  of  the  wharf  was  the  woodman's  shanty, 
where  the  passengeis  found  shelter  until  five  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, when  the  Oneida,  Captain  Smith,  came  down  on  her  regular 
trip,  and  finding  the  distressed  situation  of  these  unfortunate  per- 
sons, returned  with  them  to  Kingston. 

It  is  said  to  have  been  the  intention  of  those  who  took  the 
Peel,  to  have  captured  with  her  aid  the  steamer  Great  Britain 
the  next  day,  and  to  have  cruised  with  these  steamers  on  the 
lake,  and  transport  troops  and  supplies  for  the  patriot  service. 

The  acknowledged  leader  of  this  infamous  outrage,  was  Wil- 
liam Johnston,  better  known  as  Bill  Johnston,  who,  since  the 
war  with  Great  Britain,  had  been  known  on  the  lines  as  a  vin- 
dictive enemy  to  Canada,  and  at  a  moment's  notice  ready  for  any 
broil  that  might  afford  him  an  opportunity  for  revenging  the  in- 
juries he  claimed  to  have  received  from  that  government.  He 
was  born  at  Three  Rivers,  L.  C,  Feb  1st.,  1782,  and  from  1784 
till  1812  lived  near  Kingston.  He  was  here  employed  as  a  gro- 
cer, and  at  the  occurrence  of  the  war  was  connected  with  a  mili- 
tary company,  but  was  seized  on  a  charge  of  insubordination, 
and  lodged  in  jail,  from  which  he  escaped, and  fled  to  the  Ameri- 
can shore.  Me  was  soon  employed  as  a  spy,  and  on  one  occasion 
robbetl  the  Briti.sh  mail,  containing  important  official  tlespatches, 
which  he  safely  brought  to  ihc  isilitary  comnaandant  at  Sackets 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 


523 


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The  Events  of  1837-40. 


K  :«         <««mH4H|f^>   . 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 


623 


Harbor.  In  another  of  his  adventures,  he  was  cast  on  the 
Canada  shore,  and  his  companions  allowed  to  return;  but  not 
wishing  to  run  the  hazard  of  a  disclosure,  he  concealed  himself, 
and  finally  escaped  with  much  peril.  His  familiarity  with  the 
geography  of  Canada,  made  him  particularly  serviceable  in  pro- 
curing intelligence. 

At  a  recent  interview,  Johnston  assured  the  author,  that  he  had 
been  promised  160  men  by  a  Cleveland  committee  who  had 
planned  the  capture,  and  that  the  assailants  numbered  but  thirteen 
men. 

Governor  Marc^  immediately  hastened  to  the  county  upon 
receipt  of  the  news,  and  on  the  4th  of  .June  offered  a  reward  of 
$500  for  Johnston,  $250  each  for  David  McLeod,  Samuel  C. 
Frey,  and  Robert  Smith,  alleged  to  be  concerned  in  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  Peel,  and  $100,  each,  for  others  who  might  be  convicted 
of  the  same  offience.  In  a  letter  from  Watertown,  dated  June  3, 
to  th"  secretary  of  war,  he  advised  the  co-operation  of  our 
government  with  that  of  Canada,  in  pursuing  the  offenders. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  the  Earl  of  Durham,  captain  general  of  the 
British  military  forces  in  Canada,  issued  from  Quebec  a  procla- 
mation, offering  a  reward  of  J£  1,000,  for  the  conviction  of  any 
person  actually  engaged  in,  or  directly  aiding  and  abetting  this 
outrage.  The  inhabitants  were  assured  that  a  sufficient  military 
force  should  be  immediately  concentrated  at  such  points  as  shall 
be  best  able  to  protect  the  frontiers  from  aggression;  and  the 
United  States  government  was  called  upon  tovindicate  her  laws, 
and  enforce  the  neutrality  of  her  borders.  Her  majesty's  sub- 
jects were  exhorted  to  abstain  from  acts  of  retaliation. 

His  Excellency  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sir  John  Colburn,  arrived 
at  Brockville  on  the  5th,  to  direct  personally  any  measures  that 
might  be  deemed  necessary. 

Several  arrests  were  made  the  next  day,  and  on  the  7th  of  June, 
"Wm.  Anderson,  James  Potts,  Nathan  Lee,  Chester  Warner,  Seth 
Warner,  Wm.  Smith,  Marshall  W,  Forward,  Wm.  S.  Nichols, 
and  Henry  Hunter,  all,  but  Lee,  Canadians,  were  in  jail  at  Wa- 
tertown, charged  with  having  shared  in  this  affair.  Several 
others  were  afterwards  committed,  and  for  several  days  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  guard  the  jail  contaii  ing  the  prisoners,  as 
threats  of  attempt  at  rescue  had  been  made. 
.  On  the  23d  of  June,  the  trial  of  these  prisoners  commenced 
at  Watertown,  with  that  of  Anderson,  who  was  indicted  for  arson, 
upon  six  counts;  the  first  of  which  expressed  that  crime  in  the 
highest  degree.  This  trial  was  conducted  before  John  P.  Cush- 
man,  one  of  the  circuit  judges,  Calvin  McKnight,  Benjamin 
Wright,  and  others,  and  excited  extraordinary  interest.  When 
submitted  to  the  jury,  the  latter,  after  a  deliberation  of  two  hours, 
brought  in  a  verdict  of  not  guilty. 


Ah 


'I     '. 


H^ 


-.4 


624 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 


On  the  13th  of  December,  seven  prisoners  were,  for  want  of 
witnesses  from  Canada,  discharged  from  confinement,  but  not 
from  indictment. 

Immediately  after  news  of  this  reached  Washington,  Major 
General  Macomb  was  dispatched  to  Sackets  Harbor,  to  take 
such  measures  as  the  exigencies  of  the  occasion  required. 

On  the  20th  of  June  he  sent  word  to  Sir  John  Colborne, 
or  the  officer  commanding  at  Kingston,  inviting  his  co-operation 
in  a  search  among  the  Thousand  Islands  for  the  persons  who  had 
plundered  and  burned  the  Peel;  and  about  a  week  afterwards, 
Colonel  Dundas,  of  the  British  army,  commandant  at  Kingston, 
and  Captain  Sandora  of  the  royal  navy,  crossed  to  hold  an  inter- 
view, which  resulted  i:i  an  agreement  for  a  joint  effort  to  be 
made  on  the  2d  ot  July,  to  arrest  the  parties.  After  a  search 
of  several  days,  their  retreat  was  discovered;  but  in  their  attempt 
to  take  the  outlaws,  all  but  two  escaped.  The  gang  consisted 
of  but  eight  men  at  that  time,  of  whom,  Johnston  whs  one;  they 
were  well  supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition,  and  had  a  fast- 
rowing  boat.  These  efforts,  to  arrest  the  leader  of  the  expedition, 
were  fruitless,  and  he  was  not  captured  till  after  the  affa>r  at 
Prescott,  late  in  the  ensuing  autumn. 

The  immediate  command  of  the  frontier  was  given,  on  the 
2Sth,  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cummings,  of  the  2d  infantry,  and 
subsequently  to  Colonel  Worth.  The  steamer  Telegraph  was 
chartered  by  our  government,  and  several  steamers  were  fitte(3  up 
by  the  Canadian  authorities,  for  the  protection  of  the  borders. 
Congress,  on  the  7lh  of  July,  appropriated  $20,000  for  the  de- 
fense of  the  St.  Lawrence  line. 

On  the  11th  of  November,  the  steamer  United  States  touched 
at  Sackets  Harbor,  on  her  downward  trip,  having  on  board  150 
male  passengers  with  little  baggage;  and  many  circumstances  oc- 
curred <"->Jculated  to  excite  suspicion  that  they  wery  engaged  on 
some  military  expedition.  Their  number  was  here  Increased  by 
twenty  or  thirty  more,  and  at  Cape  Vincent  by  ten  or  eleven. 
On  arriving  a  little  below  Millen's  Bay,  she  overtook  the  Char- 
lotte of  Oswego,  and  the  Charlotte  of  Toronto,  two  schooners 
that  had  left  Oswego  on  the  10th,  while  the  United  States  was 
in  port,  which  vessels  were  taken  in  tow,  one  on  each  side, 
with  which  she  continued  down  the  river.  As  soon  appeared, 
the?e  vessels  contained  munitions  of  war,  and  the  great  numbers 
of  men,  who,  with  the  passengers  on  board  the  steamer,  were 
mostly  destinefl  for  a  descent  upon  Prescott. 

It  is  not  within  our  litnitsto  detail  the  events  that  ensued,  and 
the  melancholy  issue  of  the  memorable  battle  at  Windmill  Point,* 

*  This  expedition  is  fully  described  in  our  History  of  St.  Lawiencc  and 
Franklin  countiea,  pp.  66 1-07  4k 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 

^vhich  revolutionized  public  opinion  on  the  subject,  by  revealing 
the  consequences  to  which  these  measures  were  tending.  It  also 
had  a  salutary  influence  upon  the  public  luind,  by  disclosing  the 
cowardice  and  treachery  of  ihose  who  had  been  I'oremost  in  pro- 
moting the  expedition,  but  who  shrunk  from  the  test  of  leaden 
bullets,  and  fled;  leaving  the  unfortunate  victims  of  fbeir  dupli- 
city, the  majority  of  whom  were  youth  under  age,  to  atone  with 
their  blood,  or  with  long,  bitter  years  of  exile,  for  their  indiscre- 
tion. 

Bill  Johnston  was  captured  November  17,  and  conveyed  to 
Auburn,  where  he  escaped.  He  was  afterwards  recaptured  by 
William  Vaughan  ^about  seven  miks  north  of  New  London,  and 
ten  from  Rome)  by  whom  he  was  delivered  to  tiie  United  Stales 
marshal  and  lodged  in  jail  at  Albany.  He  escaped  from  thence, 
and  was  for  some  time  obliged  to  avoid  the  pursuit  of  civil  offi- 
cers. After  tranquility  had  been  restored,  he  returned  to  quiet 
life,  at  the  village  of  Clayton,  and,  by  the  present  administra- 
tion, has  been  appointed  keeper  of  RJck  Island  Light,  that 
shines  on  the  spot  where  the  Peel  was  burned. 

The  patriot  prisoners,  under  the  command  of  Von  Schoultz,  a 
Polish  exile,  who  had  seen  much  military  service  in  his  native 
country,  were  conveyed  to  Fort  Henry,  at  Kingston,  and  tried  by 
a  court  martial,  that  begun  its  session  November  26,  1838.  The 
rule  adopted  by  this  court  was  to  execute  all  of  the  officers  that 
were  known  to  be  such,  try  and  sentence  the  rest,  reprieve  the 
minors,  and  banish  the. remainder  to  the  penal  colony  of  Van 
Dieman's  Land.  It  is  probable  that  they  were  induced  to  relax 
somewhat  from  the  rigor  with  which  they  begun,  from  the  feel- 
ing which  the  issue  of  the  expedition  had  occasioned  in  the 
States,  and  the  disposition  that  was  everywhere  evinced  to  dis- 
countenance further  aggression.  In  Jefferson  county,  meetings 
were  held  at  Cape  Vincent,  December  1£  ;  ;  at  Sackets  Harbor 
on  the  2 1st;  at  Depauville  and  Ellis  Village  on  the  27th,  and  at 
La  Fargeville  on  the  31st,  at  which  contributions  were  made  for 
supplying  the  wants  of  the  prisoners,  conciliatory  speeches  were 
delivered,  and  resolutions  passed,  and  published  in  the  papers, 
discouraging  any  f'!-';,fr  agitation  of  a  question  that  threatened 
to  embroil  the  two  nations  in  a  war.  and  make  their  territory  the 
theatre  of  a  sanguinary  struggle.  Several  gentlemei  '- >m 
abroad  were  especially  active  in  quieting  this  excitemni,  of 
whom  Judge  Gridiey  and  Joshua  A.  Spencer,  of  Utica,  were  pro- 
minent. The  grand  jury,  at  the  December  term  of  the  county 
court,  as  a  body,  published  a  short  manifesto,  deprecating  the 
continuance  of  the  secret  associations,  and  a  meeting  was 
held  at  the  court  house  in  pursuance  of  a  notice  from  the  bench, 
on  the  evening  of  December  18th,  to  promote  the  peace  and 
harmony  of  the  frontier^ 


r 


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<?.; 


If!  . 


ml 


626 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 


Of  this  meeting  Ihe  Hon.  Calvin  Mtlvnight,  flr^t  jud?.!;e,  was 
chosen presitlent,  Daniel  Wardwcll,  Eli  Far'/tji, Tlioaias  Loomis, 
Abner  Baker,  Jr.,  and  0.  V.  Brainard,  vj-e  prcsidetUs  Dr. 
Reuben  Goodale,  and  Joseph  Mullin,  Ksq. ,  soorJarl  ^.  Cor  itl 
C.  Baker,  I  rite  sheriff,  and  E.  G.  Merrick,  Esq.,  related  their  itiient 
visit  to  Kingston,  to  leiun  the  condition  /  the  prisoners.  They 
had  found  i.i.e  authoriiit"  disposed  fo  srive  these  unfortunate  men 
all  advantages  consistciii,  and  the  citizens;  of  Canada  genernlJy 
active  and  lieiermined  in  their  purpose  ot  iesistint^  ^nv  aUe.ipt 
at  revoluiion,  They  had  empK>yed  i«^cret  messengers  to  visit 
the  states,  gain  access  to  the  hunter  lodgPHj  and  ketp  them 
infortried  of  every  movement  on  fool,  sv'th  th«.'  preparations 
mad':,  and  persons  engaged  in  these  mpas'.ues.  The  meeting 
was  addresfcd  by  J.  A.  Spencer,  Esq  ,  of  Ulica,  Judge  Gridley, 
l;  .i,  Saavui  Beardsley,  Attorney  General  R.  Hulbert,  T.  C. 
Ohktier.tlen,  E.  Camp,  William  Smith,  and  Daniel  Wardwell, 
V  ho  urged  the  importance  of  sustaining  our  laws  and  adopting 
immediate,  but  pacific  measures  for  preserving  tranquility,  ar- 
resting further  agitation  and  mitigating  the  fate  of  the  prisoners 
in  Kingston.  At  an  adjourned  meeiing,  held  next  day,  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions  were  passed,  whiclj  are  believed  to  embody 
the  sentiment  of  the  majority  of  our  citizens: 

"  Resolved-  That  we  regard  the  preservation  of  peace  with 
Great  Britain,  as  all  important  to  the  best  interests  of  the  Ameri- 
can and  British  nations;  but  that  we  have  no  reason  to  expect 
its  long  continuance,  unless  our  citizens  refrain  from  hostile  in- 
vasions of,  or  intermeddling  with,  his  territories. 

Resolved,  That  we  feel  a  deep  seated  desire  to  maintain  and 
preserve  the  {greatest  freedom  of  intercourse  and  the  most  friendly 
relations  with  our  neighbors  of  Canada;  and  that  the  best  evi- 
dence we  can  give  of  our  sincerity  will  be,  to  do  unto  them,  as 
they  do  unto  us — leave  them  to  enjoy  the  government  of  their 
choice. 

Resolved.  That  the  inhabitantsof  our  frontier  are  loudiy  called 
upon  by  every  consideration  of  justice  and  sound  policy,  to  exert 
themselves  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  to  prevent  all  hostile 
invasion  into  the  neighboring  Canadian  provinces,  by  bands  of 
armed  men  from  our  borders,  and  that  we  pledge  ourselves  to 
our  government,  and  to  each  other,  i  ;tlfuliy  and  fearlessly  to 
discharge  this  sacred  and  too-long  ne*     "'ed  duty. 

Resolved,  That  any  movements  inj  !  *  ■  to  Canada,  are  open, 
fla^r^nt  violations,  alike  of  int-^'-nat:  •  i  law,  of  the  enactments 
oftiU  Congress  of  the  United  Star  'f  the  Canadian  Provincial 

Pivj-'nent,  and  that  our  mini: 
and  judicial  tribunals  should  De 
and  ready  to  condemn  every  and  ■'■ 


olficers,  civil  magistrat<" ,, 
ilant  and  prompt  to  arrest, 
•:h^  ition  of  our  laws. 


The  Events  of  1837-40. 


527 


Resolved,  That  there  is  too  much  reason  to  believe,  that  many  of 
our  citizens  have  formed  themselves  into  secret  lodges,  or  socie- 
ties, under  the  sanction  of  extra-judicial  oaths,  for  the  purpose  of 
promoting  the  organization  and  armament  of  bands  of  men,  to 
invade  the  Canadas,  and  that  we  earnestly  call  upon  these  mis- 
guided citizens  every  where,  and  at  once,  to  disband. 

Resolved,  That  we  regard  the  late  attack  on  Prescott  as  char- 
acterized alike  by  rashness,  weakness,  and  folly;  and  that  while 
we  pointedly  condemn  and  rebuke  those  engaged  in  it,  we  feel 
called  upon  to  express  our  solemn  conviction  that  most,  if  not  all 
of  them,  were  influenced  by  misrepresentation,  and  acting  under 
a  delusion  as  strange  and  unaccountable  as  is  has  been  disastrous 
and  fatal,  without  any  feelings  of  hostility  towards  our  Canadian 
neighbors,  but  under  the  expectation  and  belief,  that  instead  of 
fighting  with,  they  would  be  hailed  by  them,  as  the  champions 
of  liberty,  and  received  with  open  arms  and  heart-felt  greetings. 

Resolved,  That  we,  in  common  with  all  our  countrymen,  feel 
a  deep  commiseration  for  our  misguided  citizens,  captured  near 
Prescott,  and  now  in  confinement  at  Fort  Henry,  in  Canada,  and 
that  while  we  acknowledge  the  right  of  the  provincial  authori- 
ties to  condemn  according  to  the  laws  of  their  country,  in  the 
exercise  of  this  authority  we  hope  to  see  justice  tempered  with 
mercy,  and  expect  to  witness  magnanimous  treatment  towards 
these  unfortunate  men,' worthy  of  a  brave  and  generous  people." 

Delegations  were  sent  from  various  places  to  Kingston,  to  ob- 
tain some  mitigation  of  the  fate  of  the  prisoners,  among  which 
were  the  Hon.  John  Fine,  and  C.  G.  Myers,  of  Ogdensburgh,  the 
persons  above  named  from  this  county,  and  numerous  relatives  of 
the  patriot  captives,  who  were  treated  with  civility,  and  shown 
a!'  the  indulgence  that  under  the  circumstances  could  be  ex- 
tended. Von  Schoultz,  Daniel  George,  Dorephus  Abbey,  Dun- 
can Anderson,  Christopher  Buckley,  Sylvester  A.  Lawton,  Joel 
Peeler,  Russell  Phelps,  Sylvanus  Sweet,  and  Martin  Woodruff, 
were  hung;  eighteen  were  released,  fifty-eight  pardoned,  sixty 
transported,  three  were  acquitted,  four  turned  Queen's  evidence, 
and  of  ten  we  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  their  fate.* 

Tne  Court  Martial  adjourned  from  January  4ih,  till  February 
SGtli.  A  mass  meeting,  consisting  of  from  two  thousand  to  three 
thousa  . :!  persons,  assembled  in  front  of  the  court  house,  February 
23d,  under  the  impression  that  more  executions  were  about  to 
take  place  at  King-  on,  and  resolutions  less  conciliatory  than 
those  of  the  former  meeting  were  passed. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  1839,  the  British  steamer  Commodore 
Barrie,  under  the  orders  of  Col.  A.  McDonell,  sheriff  of  Midland 

*  For  a  list  of  these  prisoners,  with  the  fate  of  each,  see  history  of  St. 
Lawreac-e  and  Franklia  Counties,  p.  i"73. 


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The  Events  of  1837-40. 


District,  Upper  Canada,  arrived  at  Sackets  Harbor,  with  twenty- 
two  prisoners,  pardoned  by  the  lieutenant  governor.  The  ina(i;is- 
trates  of  the  village  were  sent  for,  and  the  colonel  informed  them 
what  had  been  done  for  the  prisoneid,  and  earnestly  hoped,  that 
it  would  have  h  happy  etTect  in  allaying  the  existing  excitement. 
This  was  met  by  an  answer  expressing,  in  warm  terms,  their  sense 
of  gratitude  for  this  exercise  of  clemency,  and  the  thanks  of  our 
citizens  to  the  government.  The  pardoned  prisoners,  before 
separating  for  their  homes,  drew  up  and  signed  a  paper  express- 
ing their  obligation  to  the  Canadian  government,  for  the  clemency 
shown,  and  urging  pacific  measures  in  future.  On  the  27th  of 
April,  thirty-seven  more  prisoners  arrived  at  Sackets  Harbor. 

On  the  6th  of  June,  1840,  an  infamous  attempt  was  made  at 
Oswego,  to  burn  the  British  steamer  Great  Britain,  by  conveying 
on  board  a  trunk,  charged  with  explosive  and  combustible  mater- 
ials. The  explosion  took  place,  doing  considerable  injury,  but 
the  flames  were  soon  arrested.  Lett  and  Defoe,  two  Canadian 
refugees,  were  arrested,  (charged  with  this  outrage,  and  a  confes- 
sion was  obtained,  in  which  the  design  of  burning  the  vessel  was 
avowed,  with  the  hope  of  renewing  irritation  between  the  two 
governments.  The  trunks  contained  copal, turpentine, nitre,  and 
powder,  packed  in  cotton,  to  which  a  fuse  was  attached. 

With  this,  closed  the  active  measures  of  disturbance  on  our 
border,  but  the  irritation  was  slow  to  subside,  and  restless  sp'rits 
were  found,  who  labored  to  excite  a  broil  between  the  two  na- 
tions, without  success.  For  one  or  two  years  a  steamer  was  kept 
in  commission  on  the  lake,  and  troops  were  stationed  at  Madison 
Barracks  still  later.  That  some  were  honest  and  believed  them- 
selves patriotic  in  this  affair,  may  be  admitted,  while  it  can  not 
be  denied  that  the  majority  thirsted  for  power,  wealth  or  plunder, 
according  as  they  were  actuated  by  ambition  or  avarice. 

Among  the  humbugs  connected  with  this  speculation,  was  the* 
plan  of  a  bank,  the  ostensible  object  of  which  was,  first,  to  "  aid 
the  cause  of  liberty,"  by  loans  to  the  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion, for  the  patriotic  service,  after  which  loans  were  to  be  made 
to  individuals,  for  private  business.  The  capital  was  at  first  only 
$7,500,000,  in  shares  of  $50  each,  but  it  was  designed  to  be  ex- 
tended, so  as  "  to  allow  every  individual  on  the  continent  to  hold 
one  share."  The  whole  wealth,  revenue,  and  resources  of  the 
patriot  dominions  (that  they  had,  or  that  they  may  hereafter 
have  dominion  over),  were  pledged  for  the  faithful  repayment  of 
the  sums  subscribed,  with  interest.  Subscriptions  were  taken  of 
sixpence  a  week,  or  half  a  dollar  every  two  months. 

"  The  vignette  of  the  bills  are  to  be  heads  of  «hc  late  martyrs  to 
the  cause  of  liberty  in  Canada;  the  headof  Mauhe'^s  on  the  left 
end  of  the  bill,  the  head  ojf  Lount  in  the  centre   with  the  words, 


Gedogxfi  Mineralogy^  ^c. 


b?^ 


in  a  semi -circle  over  it,  The  Murdered;  Death  or  Victory;  on 
the  margins  of  the  bills  will  be  the  words  Lilerty,  Equality, 
FraternUy.  The  name  of  the  bank  will  be  the  Republican  Bank 
of  Canada." 

We  have  no  statistics  of  the  dividends  of  this  institution,  but 
have  been  Hssured  that  there  were  such — the  capital  being  di- 
vided among  zjew. 

On  the  6th  of  September,  1841,  the  prevalence  of  the  secret 
clubs  called  forth  a  proclamation  from  President  Tyler,  for  their 
suppression. 


i 


'i  ■■■(': 


CHAPTER  XY. 

GEOLOGY,  MINERALOGY,  &c. 

To  an  agricultural  populucion,  like  that  which  f&r'^s  the  basis 
of  society  in  Jefferson  County,  rfiere  are  none  of  the  f.i  ,  .cal 
sciences  which  have  stronger  claims  to  attention  than  ^ecicgy, 
and  its  allied  branches,  mineralogy  and  chemistry,  for  it  is  these 
that  teach  the  character  and  capabilities  of  the  soil,  and  the 
train  of  causes  which,  acting  harmoniously  through  long  periods 
of  time,  compared  with  which,  the  historic  eras  of  man  are  but  as 
moments,  have  gradually  prepared  the  earth's  surface  for  his 
support;  given  form  and  beauty  to  its  hills  and  plains;  scooped 
out  the  valleys  through  which  rivers  find  their  way  to  the  sea, 
and  placed  stores  of  metallic  wealth  within  reach  of  his  labors. 
Nor  have  these  agencies  failed  to  record  their  actio''  in  the  traces 
they  have  left,  as  enduring  as  time,  yet  easily  it.  •  >  ed,  md 
abundantly  rewarding  such  as  will  but  observe  them.  There 
can  not  be  a  pursuit  more  engaging,  or  better  calculated  to  impart 
a  true  knowledge  of  the  grandeur  and  harmony  of  nature's  works, 
and  a  devout  reverence  for  their  Author. 

Such  is  the  intimate  relation  between  the  soil  and  the  rock 
from  which  it  has  been  derived,  and  usually  with  ♦hat  by  which 
it  is  immediately  underlaid,  that  a  definite  knowledge  of  its 
capabilities  can  scarcely  be  had  without  an  acquaintance  with 
the  latter.  Besides  this,  we  are  indebted  to  mineral  products 
for  so  many  articles  of  necessity,  to  say  nothing  of  conveniences 
and  luxuries  in  life,  that  their  relations,  and  the  indications  which 


ii 


530 


Primary  Rocki. 


lead  (o  their  occurience,  become  subjects  of  necessary  know- 
le(l|»o  !  llspensible  to  our  civilization,  nnd  eminently  deserving 
of  t-ntx...  1  inent.  Allhough  lor  extent  and  variety  of  mineral 
jToducis,  our  country  will  not  compare  with  some  others,  yet  the 
field  of  useful  observation  and  practical  research  is  far  from  be- 
ing barren,  and  there  does  not  occur  an  acre  but  that  yields  ma- 
terials for  profitable  thought,  and  some  trace  worthy  of  notice. 
Geologists  divide  rocks  into  two  great  classes,  named  from  their 
relative  ages, />rt?i"i  "2  i.diwntari/  or  secondary;  the  first 

never  presentiiig  tr.;v;ts(*f  organic  remains  but  from  their  crys- 
taline  character,  an<l  mode  of  occurrence,  often  exhibit  evidences 
of  having  been  subjected  to  the  agency  of  heat,  while  the  latter 
appear  made  up  of  materials  derived  Irom  the  former,  broken  up 
and  deposited  in  water,  and  usually  contain  fossil  remains  of 
animals  and  plants,  that  lived  at  the  period  of  their  formation. 
As  we  ascend  in  the  series,  we  find  the  characters  of  the  rocky 
strata  vary,  as'if  their  deposit  had  been  produced  under  dilTerent 
agencies,  which  had  changed  repeatedly,  and  at  each  time  the 
forms  of  organic  life  had  disappeared,  to  give  place  to  some 
other,  which  had  in  like  manner  passed  away;   and  so  constant 
is  the  type  of  these  fossil  remains  for  each  class  of  rocks,  that  it 
affords  an  infallible  gtiide,  when  present,  to  a    nowledge  of  iht, 
place,  and  relation,  of  the  rocks  in  which  they  occur.  Tiie  science 
of  Paleontology,  lias  for  its  object,  the  classification  and  descrip- 
tion of  these  fossil  remains,  and  few  sections  afford  a  more  pro- 
fitable field  for  these  researches  than  this  county.     Both  primary 
and  secondary  rocks  oc    .   in  Jefferson  County;  the  former  of 
which,  with  the  dividing  line  between  them,  r.ffords  the  only 
rational  proispecis  of  valuable  metallic  veins  and  deposits,  as  well 
as  most   of  the  crysf  dine  minerals,  which  form  so  attractive 
oiijeots  to  \he  mine    'ogist,  aiid  such  daz/.ling  ornaments  to  ca- 
binets.   Of  the  lattt      however,  we  are  not  without  localities 
that  vie   with  the  most  noted,  and  the  primative  region  of  the 
county  '"ill  abundantly  repay  the  labor  bestowed  upon  mineral 
collection.     The  details  of  these  will  be  hereafter  given.    The 
rock  constituting  the  primary,  is  mainly  '.omposed  of  gneiss;   a 
mixture  of  quartz,  homhlende  awA  feldspar,  which  are  regarded 
as  elementary  or    impie  minerals,  and  make  up  by  far  the  largest 
part  of  what  i-       )wn   if  the  earth's  surface.     In  gneiss,  these 
usually  occur  i;.  ,.egul,.  strata,  often  contorted,  never  horizontal, 
and  seldom  continuing  (j;  uniform  thickness  more  than  a  few  feet. 
It  forms  by  far  the  largest  part  of  the  surface  rock,  throughout 
the  great  northern  forest  of  New  York,  embracing  nearly  the 
whole  of  Hamilton,  and  a  part  of  Lewis,  Herkimer,  Fulton, 
Saratoga,  Warren,  Essex,  Clinton,  Franklin,  and  St.  Lawrence 
counties,  and  in  Jefferson,  this  rock  constitutes  the  greater  part 


iiw 


part 


Potsdam  Sandstone. — Cylindrical  Structure.         531 

of  the  Islands  in  the  St.  Lawrenrp,  between  Fnnch  Creek  and 
Morristown,  and  appears  in  Clayton,  Orleans,  and  Alexandria  on 
the  river  bank;  in  tlie  latter  town  extends  back  a  mile  or  two 
from  the  shore.  It  forms  a  strip,  extending  up  on  both  sides  of 
Indian  Uiver  to  Theresa  Village,  and  the  shores  and  Islands  of 
most  of  the  lakes  of  that  town  and  Antwerp,  and  much  of  the 
country  within  the  node  of  Indian  River,  towards  the  village  of 
Phiiatlelphia,  where  it  forms  the  surface  rock  and  extends  to 
Antwerp,  the  greater  j  rt  of  which  k  inderli.?s.  From  this  town 
it  extends  along  Indian  River  to  the  xi.'Iagt  of  Natural  Hr'dge, 
anil  tlu-nce  to  Carthage,  where  it  forn'S  the  islands  imong  the 
rapids  of  the  Long  Falls,  and  thence  follows  up  the  river,  keeping 
a  little  west  of  its  channel,  through  Lewis  into  Oneida  County, 
in  this  area  th*  le  are  occasional  ledges  of  white  or  primary 
limestone,  especi.iily  in  Antwerp,  with  limited  quantities  of  ser- 
pentine, and  superficial  patches  of  sandstone. 

Lying  next  above  the  primitive,  and  forming  a  considerable 
amount  of  surface  rock,  in  Alexandria,  Theresa,  Clayton,  Orleans, 
and  Antwerp,  is  the  Potsdam  sandstone,  so  named  from  tbn  fine 
manner  in  which  it  is  developed  in  that  town.  It  is  the  oldest  of 
sedimentary  rocks,  and  contains  (but  rarely)  the  forms  of  organic 
bodies,  that  were  created  at  the  dawn  of  the  vital  principle. 
Two  genera,  one  a  plant,  the  other  shell,  have  been  found  in 
this  rock,  but  so  rarely,  that  it  may  be  almost  said  to  be  without 
fossils.  Its  principal  constituent  is  silex,  in  the  form  of  sand, 
firmly  consolidated,  and  forming,  where  it  can  be  cleaved  into 
blocks  of  regular  shape  and  uniform  size,  a  most  elegant  and 
durable  building  material. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Theresa,  Redwood,  &c.,  there  occurs  in  numer- 
ous places  in  this  rock,  the  cylindrical  structure,  common  at 
many  localities  in  St.  Lawrence  county,*  and  apparently  pro- 
duced by  eddies  acting  upon  i'  e  sands  at  the  bottom  of  shallow 
water.  Ripple  marks  are  of  constant  occunence  in  the  same 
localities,  confirming  the  supposition  that  the  material  that  now 
forms  this  rock  was  once  a  mass  of  incoherent  sand.  This  form- 
ation is  generally  in  thick  masses,  often  disturbed  by  uphea- 
vals, almost  invariably  inclined  from  the  horizontal,  and  seldom 
in  this  county  so  evenl)  stratified  as  to  admit  of  that  uniformity 
of  fracture  that  gives  value  to  it  as  a  building  material  at  Pols- 
dam,  Malone,  &c.  It  is,  however,  extensively  used  for  this 
purpose,  and  forms  a  cheap  and  durable,  but  not  an  elegant 
wall.  This  rock  has  two  applications  in  the  useful  arts,  of  great 
importance;  the  lining  of  blast  furnaces,  and  the  manufacture  of 
glass,  for  the  former  of  which  it  has  been  used  extensively  at 
all  the  furiiaces  in  the  northern  counties,  and  for  the  latter,  at 

*  History  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin  Counties,  p.  678. 


Kl 


lit 


(J 


i. 


632 


Potitdam  and  Calc{ferowi  Sandstonet. 


its  permanence  that  it  can 
the  ilistructive  agencies 
with  soil.     The  polished 


Redwood.  The  quarry  that  has  been  most  used  for  lining  stone, 
occurs  on  the  t'Hriii  of  lliratn  B.  Keene  in  Antwerp,  where  the 
rock  occurs  highly  inclined,  but  captible  of  being  divided  into 
blocks  of  unilbrm  texture,  and  any  desirable  size.  The  edges 
of  tlir>  stone,  when  laid  in  the  furnace,  are  exposed  to  the  hre, 
and  become  slightly  fused,  forming  a  glazing  to  the  surface.  It 
is  seldom  that  a  material  is  found  so  finely  adapted  to  this  pur- 

Iiose.  For  the  manufacture  of  glass  the  stone  is  calcined  in 
cilns  and  crushed  and  sifted,  when  it  affords  a  sand  of  much 
whiteness,  and  eminently  suitable  for  the  purpose. 

This  rock   is  generally  overlaid  by  a  fertile  soil,  but  this  is 
more  due  to  the  accidental  deposition  of  drift  than  the  disinte- 
gration of  the  rock  itself,  lor  surh  is 
scarcely  be  found  to  have  yieldtd  to 
that  have  covered  many  oiher   rocks 

and  scratched  surfaces  given  by  diluvial  attrition  are  almost  uni- 
formly  preserved,  and  wherever  this  formation  appears  at  the 
surface,  it  presents  a  hardness  and  sharpness  of  outline  strongly 
indicative  of  its  capacity  to  resist  decay.  Un  this  account  it 
should  be  selected  when  possible,  for  the  piers  of  bridges,  the 
foundation  of  houses,  and  other  structure  where  permanence  and 
solidity  are  required.  A  very  peculiar  feature  is  presented  by 
the  margin  of  this  rock,  which,  by  tlie  practiced  eye,  may  be 
detected  at  a  distance,  and  which  strongly  distinguishes  it  from 
all  others.  The  outline  is  generally  an  abrupt  escarpment, 
sometimes  extending  with  much  regularity  for  miles,  occasion- 
ally broken  by  broad  ragged  ravines,  or  existing  as  outstanding 
insular  masses,  and  always  presenting,  along  the  foot  of  the  preci- 
pice, huge  masses  of  rock  that  have  fallen  from  above.  The  most 
remarkable  terrace  of  this  kind  begins  on  the  north  shore  of 
Black  Lake,  in  Morristown,  and  extends  through  Hammond  into 
Alexandria,  much  of  the  distance  near  the  line  of  the  Military 
Koad,  and  other  instances  are  common  throughout  the  region 
underlaid  by  this  rock. 

Next,  in  the  ascending  series,  is  a  rock  which,  in  this  part  of 
the  state,  constitutes  a  thin  but  level  formation,  and  from  its  being 
a  sandy  limestone,  has  been  named  calci/erous  sandstone.  It  is 
generally  an  open,  porous  texture,  much  discolored  by  iron,  and, 
occasionally,  like  some  strata  of  the  sandstone  beneath  it,  filled 
with  small  masses  of  incoherent  sand,  that  easily  falls  out,  leav- 
ing irregular  cells.  It  is  this  rock  that  contains  the  beautiful 
quartz  crystals,  for  which  Middleville  and  the  vicinity  of  Rockton, 
in  Heikimer  County  have  become  celebrated.  It  appears  as  the  sur- 
face rock  between  Antwerp  and  Carthagej  between  the  Checkered 
House,  in  Wilna,  and  the  Natural  Bridge;  between  Antwerp  and 
Sterlingville;  and,  in  Theresa,  Alexandria,  Orleans,  and  Clayton. 


I'i 


Calciferoiu  Sandttone. 


533 


art  of 
being 
It  is 
,  and, 
filled 
leav- 
autiful 
cklon, 
le  sur- 
keretl 
p  and 
ayton. 


It  is  valueless  as  a  building  material,  from  its  coarse,  rotten  text- 
ure, and  want  of  regular  fracture.  In  many  places  it  is  fdled 
with  the  forms  of  marine  plants,  ^vhich,  though  obscure,  are  con- 
clusive, and  appear  to  have  been  like  some  still  existing,  with 
thick,  succulent,  hollow  stems.  Shells  are  less  common,  and  are 
but  imperfectly  preserved,  constituting  seven  genera,  and  about 
a  dozen  species.  In  the 
annexed  cut,  fig.  1  is  the  ^ 

Ophelitea  levata,  2,  0. 
complanata,  and  3  a  cri- 
noidal  plate,  found  with 
the  others.*  Of  the  pro- 
bable condition  of  the 
earth's  surface  when  this 
rock  was  forming,  Professor  Hall  has  made  the  following  re- 
marks:! 

"  During  the  progress  of  this  formation,  and  towards  its  close, 
a  considerable  number  of  forms  of  animal  life  appear  to  have 
been  called  into  existence.     We  have  passed  from  that  condition 
of  the  earth  unfavorable  to  animal  development,  and  we  per- 
ceive the  gradual  change,  which,  in  the  next  period,  presents  us 
with  swarms  of  animated  existences.    If  we  can,  in  imagina- 
tion, allow  ourselves  to  go  back  to  the  preceding  epoch — to 
fancy  the  earth  enveloped  in  one  waste  of  ocean,  save,  perhaps, 
a  few  rocky  peaks;  when  the  natural  agitation  of  the  waters  by 
the  winds  was  increased  by  volcanic  or  igneous  outburstin^" 
while  the  rocky  points  were  abraded,  and  thence  fine  sand  r 
pebbles  spread  over  the  bed  of  the  ocean,  we  behold  lite,  sti  u 
gling  into  existence  in  this  stormy  period,  only  manifested  in 
fragile  yet  enduring  form  of  the  little  Lingula,  while  an  ap 
rently  rootless,  leafless  plant,  is  the  representative  of  the  veg^ 
table  kingdom. 

Look  forward  from  this  period  to  a  gradual  change — a  more 
congenial  element  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  ocean  comes,  in  the 
form  of  calcareous  matter,  and  new  organisms  are  gradually 
called  into  existence.  Still  the  heated  waters  bear  their  burden 
of  silex  in  solution,  and  now  they  permeate  every  portion  of  this 
habitation  of  the  new-born  vitality,  destroying  the  living,  en- 
veloping the  dead  in  a  sileciuus  paste,  and  preventing  that 
development  of  numbers  which  awaits  only  a  more  congenial 
condition." 

Next  above  this  rock  is  the  Chazy  Limestone,  that  occurs 
highly  developed,  and  abounding  in  organic  remains,  but,  accord- 
ing to  Professor  Emmons,  does  not  appear  in  the  Black  River 

*  Vanuxen's  Geological  Report,  p.  36;  Hall's  Paloeontology,  i,  11. 
f  Palmontology  of  New  York,  i,  5. 
34 


11' 


Itt  i 

■  ■('■    \ 

^-  1 

ikl 

534 


Birdseye  Limegtone. 


valley.  The  next  rock  there,  is  the  Birds-Eye  Limestone,  vi\Ach. 
includes  the  close-grained,  hard,  and  thick-bedded  strata,  in 
which  the  layers  of  water  lime  stone  occur  in  Le  Ray,  Paraelia, 
Orleans,  Brownville  and  Clayton.  The  properties  which  give  it 
value  as  a  hydraulic  cement,  are  uncertain,  as  upon  analysis  it  is 
found  to  contain  variable  proportions  of  silica,  alumina  and 
magnesia.  In  manufacturing,  it  is  calcined,  crushed  and  ground 
in  a  mill.  Its  color  is  usually  bluish  and  light  gray,  weathering 
to  an  ashen  gray;  its  fracture  is  more  or  less  flinty,  with  many 
crystaline  points,  and  its  fossils  few  and  seldom  obtained,  except 
on  the  weathered  surface.  Its  characteristic  fossil,  in  the  man- 
ner in  which  its  vertical  stems  divide  and  interlace  with  each 
other,  presents  features  totally  distinct  from  any  known  analogy, 
either  in  marine  plants,  or  the  zoophytes.  These  stems  are  filled 
with  crystaline  matter,  and  often  make  up  a  great  part  of  its 
mass.  It  has  received  from  Professor  Hall  the  generic  name  of 
Phytopsis*  of  which  there  are  two  species,  P.  tubulosum  and 
P.  cellulosum,  both  of  which  occur  abundantly  in  this  county. 


Phytopsis  tubulosum. 
The  latter  presents  diverging  masses  like  roots,  and  is  not  so 
generally  crystaline.  "When  polished,  this  rock  present  an  ap- 
pearance which  has  given  it  the  name,  and  in  quarrying  it  readi- 
ly breaks  into  regular  masses.  Its  brittleness,  when  struck  with 
a  smart  blow,  prevents  it  being  useful  as  a  marble.  Some  layers 
make  a  good  lime,  and  on  the  weathered  surface  there  often  is 
seen  a  toothed  appearance,  like  the  sutures  of  a  skull,  which  is 
attribute  dto  fibrous  crystals  of  sulphate  of  strontia,  that  have 
been  dissolved  out. 

This  forms  the  surface  rock  over  a  considerable  extent  of 
Cape  Vincent,  Lyme,  Brownville,  Paru  i  ia,  Le  Ray,  and  Wilna. 
The  part  that  overlies  the  yellow .'sh  or  \.  ^ter  lime  strata,  abounds 

' I a!d£ntology  ui  new  jtuiK,  i,  oo. 


Black  River  Limestone. 


535 


in  nodules  of  flint,  that  everywhere  stand  in  relief  npon  the 
weathered  surface.  These  are  thoup;ht  to  be  the  fossil  remains 
of  sponges,  or  othfr  forms  of  animal  life,  analagous.  These 
masses  of  flint  often  contain  shells,  corals,  crinoidea,  and  obscure 
traces  of  other  organic  bodies,  that  flourished  in  the  seas  in 
which  this  rock  was  deposited.    Perhaps  the  most  striking  of 


Orihoceras  multicameratum. 


these  fossils  is  the  above,  which  is  very  common.  Specimens 
are  found  of  shells  of  a  class  analagous,  of  the  enormous  length 
of  ten  feet,  and  breadth  of  twelve  inches.*  Besides  the  obscure 
fossil  whose  doubtful  nature  we  have  above  noticed,!  six  genera, 
and  about  a  dozen  species  have  been  described. 

The  Black  River  limestone,  in  the  classification  of  Professor 
Hall,  and  the  Isle  LaMotte  marble  in  that  of  Professor  Emmons 
are  interposed  between  the  rock  last  named  and  the  Trenton 
limestone.  It  is  a  well-defined  mass  of  greyish-blue  limestone, 
in  this  county  not  exceeding  ten  feet  in  thickness,  but  in  its 
fossils  clearly  distinct  from  the  strata  above  and  below  it.  Five 
genera  and  six  species  of  corals,  and  five  genera  and  ten  spe- 
cies of  cephalopoda,  are  described  in  the  State  Palaeontology,  as 
occurring  in  this  rock.  The  following  figures  represent  a  small 
coral,  of  the  natural  size  and  magnified: 


lot  so 

ap- 

eadi- 

with 
layers 
[en  is 
|ch  is 

have 

Int  of 
^ilna. 
)unds 


m 


Stidopora  labyrinlhica. 

1.  Natural  size  upon  n  weathered  surface. 

2.  Vertical  section,  showing  the  ascending  ar.d  anastomosing  branches. 

*  Report  of  Professor  Emmons  on  the  Geology  of  the  2d  District,  p,  382, 
t  See  Fhyioptis  ceUuiotum,  p.  534. 


IV 


Black  River  Limestone. 

3.  Enlarged  branch  of  No.  1. 

4.  Surface   apparently    unworn,   'with   oblique 
rSdgei  between  the  rows  of  cells. 

5.  Surfbce  of  a  branch  somewhat  worn. 

The  delicacy  of  markings  upon  the  sur- 
faces of  some  of  these  corals,  when  seen 
magnified,  is  beautiful;  and  their  differences 
afford  the  ground  of  classification  of  fami- 
lies and  the  generic  and  specific  distinc- 
tions. 


I 


^ 


Stictopora  ratnoaa,  nature!  size  and  enlarged.* 

Another  coral  is  of  frequent  oc- 
currence in  the  Black  River  lime- 
stone, which  is  here  represented 
in  the  margin.  It  is  sometimes 
seen  of  the  size  of  half  a  bushel,  and 
in  the  Mohawk  valley  much  larger. 
It  is  commonly  mistaken  by  the  un- 
observing,  (or  petrified  honey  comb, 
which  in  some  respects  if  resembles. 
Columnaria  alveolata^  a  fossil  coral. 

It  is  this  formation  that  contains  the  caverns  of  W  atertown, 
Pam«lia  and  Brownville,  concerning  which  many  fabulous  ac- 
counts have  been  told.  We  have  endeavored  to  obtain  authen- 
tic information  on  this  subject  by  a  personal  examination. 

In  Pamelia,  opposite  the  village  of  Watertown,  and  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  the  cascade,  is  a  cavern  that  has  attained 
quite  a  notoriety,  and  will  amply  repay  the  curious  visitor  who 
may  undertake  to  explore  it.  It  was  discovered  in  the  spring  of 
1822,  and  for  a  short  time  was  exhibited  for  pay.  The  opening 
is  in  a  natural  depression,  and  by  a  sloping  passage  leadn  to  a 
chamber  about  twenty  feet  below  the  surface,  from  which  ave- 
nues lead  in  various  directions,  frequently  communicating  with 
each  other,  and  forming  a  labyrinth  of  much  intricacy.     When 

•  Hall's  Palajontology  of  New  York,  i,  50.    f  lb.  p.  51. 


c 

s 
c 
a 

b 

0 

g 
ii 

n 

tj 

81 


Caverns  in  the  Black  River  Limegtone. 


637 


im- 
ained 
who 
ngof 
ening 
tu  a 
ave- 
with 
iVhen 


first  observed  it  was  beautifully  adorned  with  curtains  and  dra- 
pery of  lime,  deposited  from  the  ceaseless  dripping  of  water 
charged  with  that  mineral.  In  some  of  the  remote  chambers 
and  avenues,  these  deposits,  of  dazzling  whiteness,  still  exist  in 
great  profusion,  but  the  wanton  depredations  of  visitors  has  done 
much  towards  destroying  those  that  occurred  in  the  more  fre- 
quented part  of  the  cavern.  In  numerous  instances,  huge  tables 
of  rock  have  fallen  from  the  roof,  allowing  a  passage  both  above 
and  below  them.  The  texture  of  the  deposits  varies  from  the 
consistence  of  mortar  to  a  compactness  sutficient  to  give  a  ring- 
ing sound  when  struck  with  a  hammer;  but  by  far  the  greater 
part  is  of^at  soft  friable  quality  of  snowy  whiteness,  which  is 
usually  denominated  agaric  mineral.  The  pendent  masses  are 
usually  flat  with  their  sides  waved,  and  edges  serrated,  and  the 
surface  below  them  is  often  beautifully  formed  into  basins  and 
cells,  usually  filled  with  limpid  water.  Occasionally  the  masses 
from  above,  meeting  those  from  below,  form  pillars  of  great  size. 
Slight  dams  of  tufa  are  of  frequent  occurrence,  forming  shallow 
pools  of  water,  and  lime-sediment.  Altogether,  from  its  conven- 
ience of  access,  safety  and  beauty,  this  place  is  well  worthy  of 
attention.  Conflicting  accounts  existing  in  relation  to  the  ex- 
tent of  this  cavern,  the  author,  in  company  with  a  friend,  explored 
it  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  this  point,  and  was  only  able  to 
penetrate  about  seventy  fathoms  from  the  chamber  at  the  foot  of 
the  outlet.  The  temperature  of  the  water  in  June  was  43'',  and, 
in  winter  it  never  freezes.  It  probably  varies  but  little  with 
external  changes. 

On  the  north  bank  of  Black  River,  opposite  Factory  Village, 
in  Wa'ertown,  are  several  caves  of  limited  extent,  which  offer 
no  calcareous  incrustations  of  interest.  The  principal  of  these 
opens  at  its  two  enJs  upoi?  the  river  hzuk.  They  are  chiefly 
interesting  from  the  evideace  they  furnish  of  having  been  formed 
by  water  running  along  the  natural  seams  in  the  rocks. 

Cn  the  south  bank  of  the  river,  in  Watertown  Village,  and 
under  the  termination  of  Jackson  street,  is  the  entrance  of  li 
cave,  which  was  first  explored  in  the  summer  of  1838,  and  is 
said  to  have  been  traced  nearly  500  feet.  It  affords  calcareous 
concretions,  of  a  peculiar  variety,  externally  resembling  pisoliiej 
and  formed  by  the  agglutination  of  spheroidal  granules  of  car- 
bonate of  lime.  It  is  known  as  the  ice  cave,  from  the  occurrence 
of  ice  in  the  summer  months,  which  almost  obstructs  its  passa- 
ges. Towards  autumn,  the  rocks  above  become  warmed,  and  the 
ice  melts,  nor  does  the  freezing  process  become  establijihed  till 
near  spring.  From  the  slow  tr^-nsraission  of  heat,  the  seasons 
thus  become  reversed  in  this  cavern.  A  current  of  cold  air  is- 
sues from  over  this  mass  of  subterraRca 


IQSf  WuiCu, 


whctl 


iuft 


638         Characteristics  of  the  Inferior  Limestones. 


\ 


air  is  warm  and  damp,  becomes  a  dense  fop.  When  the  tem- 
perature in  the  shade  ^vas  92°,  that  at  the  mouth  of  this  cave 
has  been  noticed  to  be  32°. 

In  the  town  of  Waterlown,  near  the  bank  of  the  river,  and 
about  a  mile  from  the  village  of  IBrownville,  there  occurs  in  a 
wood  a  sunken  place,  around  and  in  the  vicinity  of  which  are 
numerous  avenues,  leading  under  ground,  and  communicating 
with  each  other  by  innumerable  passages.  Almost  every  natural 
seam  in  the  rock,  has  been  widened  into  a  space  large  enough 
to  admit  of  the  passage  of  a  man,  and  sometimes  opening  into 
wide  and  lofty  halls,  of  which  several  are  found  radiating  from 
a  central  point.  The  form  of  these  subterranean  vsrffts  is  that 
of  the  gothic  arch,  springing  from  the  floor  and  forming  an 
acute  angle  above.  The  extreme  distance  that  this  cave  can  be 
traced,  is  less  than  thirty  rods.  It  affords  no  calcareous  deposits 
of  interest,  and  its  only  peculiarity  consists  in  the  numerous 
projecting  masses  of  flint  on  the  wallc,  which  have  resisted  the 
decomposing  action  to  which  the  rock  has  yielded.  The  floor  of 
the  cave  is  generally  covered  with  mud  or  water. 

On  the  west  bank  of  Perch  river,  near  the  village  of  Limerick, 
is  a  cavern  which,  after  passing  twenty-four  yards,  opens  into 
an  external  passage,  from  whence,  descending  to  a  level  about 
thirty  feet  beiow  the  surface,  it  proceeds  sixty-three  yards  fur- 
ther through  a  passage  in  some  places  quite  lofty  and  flat  roofed, 
to  a  low  horizontal  chamber,  beyond  which,  by  creeping,  one 
can  proceed  to  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  yards 
from  the  entrance  to  the  extremity.  It  differs  from  all  the  oth- 
ers above  described,  in  having-  no  lateral  passage,  nor  does  it 
afford  calcareous  deposits.  There  probably  exists  other  cav- 
erns in  the  county,  but  analogy  would  lead  us  to  the  belief  that 
they  are  of  limited  extent.  So  far  as  observed,  they  agree  in 
affording  evidence  of  having  been  worn  by  running  water  in 
early  times,  and  in  occurring  in  the  same  stratum.  The  Ormo- 
ceras,  Endoceras,  and  other  fossils  characteristic  of  the  rock  are 
seen  exposed  in  relief  on  the  walls  of  the  caves  in  many  in- 
stances. 

It  is  to  be  observed  of  the  strata  that  intervene  between  the 
water  lime  and  the  Trenton  limestone,  that  from  their  soluble 
nature  the  natural  seams  have  generally  been  widened  into  open 
chasms,  and  tliat  from  this  cause  streams  of  water  often  find  their 
way  under  ground  in  dry  seasons.  Although  generally  horizon- 
tal, the  strata  are  occasionally  disturbed  by  upheavals,  as  is  seen 
at  several  places  along  the  line  of  the  railroad  between  Chan- 
mont  and  Cape  Vincent.  These  disturbances  are  generally 
limited  to  a  few  rods,  and  often  to  a  few  yards.  These  rocks 
often  afibrd  an  excellent  building  material,  and  are  quarried  ex- 


s 
1 
i 
r 
r 
a 

a 
a 
fi 


Trc:iio,i,  Limestone. 


539 


tensively  ac  Chaumont  for  locks  and  other  public  works.  The 
black  marble  of  Glen's  Falls  is  derived  from  strata  correspond- 
ing with  the  upper  portion  of  these. 

The  next  rock  above  those  above  described,  is  named  the  Tren- 
ton iimestone,  which  mostly  constitutes  the  rock  underlying  the 
soil  in  Champion,  Rutland,  Watertown,  Houndsfield,  Henderson, 
Ellisburgh,  Adams,  and  a  part  of  Rodman  and  Brownville.  In 
extent,  thickness,  number  of  fossil  remains  and  economical  im- 
portance, it  far  surpasses  the  others.  It  underlies  extensive  dis- 
tricts in  the  western  states,  where  it  is  recognized  by  its  charac- 
teristic fossils;  and  as  a  material  for  building  and  the  manufac- 
ture of  linte,  it  has  few  superiors.  Its  color  is  usually  gray,  and 
its  fracture  more  or  less  crystaline,  occurring  usually  in  strata 
nearly  or  quite  horizontal,  and  often  separated  by  thin  layers  of 


8, 9a,  9b,  10c,  13e,  Pleurotomaria  ■ 


16,  Murchwonia  gracilis 


•  of  Trenton  limestone. 
do 


shale.  Many  of  its  fossils  are  common  with  the  slates  ah^vi. 
At  the  time  when  the  first  volume  of  the  State  Palaeontology  was 
issued,  there  had  been  described  188  species  peculiar  to  this 
rock  J  20,  common  with  this  and  the  Hudson  River  group  (Lor- 
raine Shales);  2  with  it  and  the  Utica  slate,  6  with  it  and  the 
above  two,  3  with  it  and  the  Black  River  limestones,  and  one 
with  all  the  birdseye  to  the  Hudson  River  fhales  inclusive. 

Fossil  plants  of  the  lower  orders  are  somewhat  common,  but 
are  limited  to  a  few  species.  Of  corals,  the  number  is  greater, 
and  of  these  none  are  more  common  than  ihat  represented  by 
figure  1,  of  the  annexed  cut: 


11    <'Ss| 


540 


Trenton  Limestone. 


U  \ 


1.  Chetetea  Itfcoperdon. 

2.  ItepteBna  deltoidea. 

3.  Isotelas  gigas. 
3a,  Slictapora  acuta. 
3b.  The  same  magnified. 

Fig.  3a  represents  a  leaf-like, 
branching  coral,  very  comraon. 
The  whole  number  of  species 
of  zoophytes  found  in  this  rock, 
is  about  20.  Of  that  singular 
class  of  animals  called  trilobi- 
tes,  of  v;hich  there  are  at  present  but  few  living  analogies,  the  Tren- 
ton limestone  furnishes  several  species,  of  which  fig.  3,  on  this 
page,  is  one. 

This  class  of  fossil  remains  is  obscure  and  rare  in  the  rocks 
beneath,  but  here  becomes  well  developed  and  affords  our  most 
reliable  criterion  by  which  to  idenlily  the  Trenton  limestone  in 
distant  localities.  Th;j  animal  possessed  the  power  of  coiling 
up  into  a  ball,  and  of  flattening  itself  out,  as  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing cuts,  in  which  3a,  36,  are  coiled  snecimens,  and  9c  a 
side  view  of  one  that  is  flat.  Detached  portions  are  of  frequent 
occurrence;  the  head,  tail,  and  parts  of  the  body  being  often 
found  separately. 


this 

ocks 
most 
in 
iling 

fol- 
9c  a 
ucnt 

fteti 


Trenton  Limestone. 
The  following  are  figures  of  the  Calymene  senaria. 
9a^ 


641 


Of  shells,  this  rock  affords  a  very  great 
variety,  but  our  space  will  only  admit  of  a 
few,  the  following  being  selected  fi'om  the 
engravings  prepared  for  the  Natural  History 
of  the  State.  From  the  numbers  being  en- 
graved on  some  of  the  blocks,  they  can  not 
be  arranged  in  numerical  order  on  a  page  of 
the  size  of  this.  These  have  been  fully 
described  and  classified  by  the  gentlemen 
engaged  in  the  geological  survey  of  the  state, 
and  by  Prof.  Hall,  to  whose  department  they 
particularly  belonged. 

The  thickness  of  this  rock  can  not  be  less  than  five  hundred 
feet.  Its  stratification  is  generally  nearly  horizontal,  and  dis- 
turbances when  they  occur,  are  usually  quite  limited.  In  some 
placts  it  contains  veins  of  calcite,  and  of  heavy  spar,  the 
latter,  in  Adams,  being  associated  with  fluor  spar.  This  form- 
ation in  Lowville  and  Martinsburgh,  Lewis  County,  contains 
metallic  ores,  in  small  quantities  in  veins,  that  have  a  general 
east  and  west  course.  The  sulphurets  of  lead,  zinc,  and  iron, 
occur  at  the  lead  mines  in  Martinsburgh,  in  lamina  or  layers, 
deposited  upon  each  other,  of  which  the  succession,  counting 
from  the  walls  of  the  vein  towards  the  centre,  is  invariably  the 
same.  Thia  gives  probability  to  the  theory,  that  these  metals 
mJiy  have  been  deposited  by  electrical  currents,  as  it  would  be 
difficult  on  any  other  supposition,  to  account  for  the  symmetrical 
recurrence  of  the  layers.  Cavities  in  fossils  are  not  unfrequently 
lint  d  with  crystals  of  calcite,  and  more  rarely  with  fluor  spar 
zhi  trssaoliie. 


lit, 


542 


Trenton  Limestone. 


u 


I ,  3,  4,  Plurotomaria  lenticularis. 
5,  P.  rotvioides;  base  of  shell. 

2, 6d,  6e,  14a,  146,  15  species  of 

Murchiaonia. 
7,  8,  9,  BelUrophon  profundus  (Em.) 
10,  LeptCEna  sericea. 

II,  Orthis  driatula, 
12,  O.  tatudinuana. 


Utica  Slate. 


643 


of 
1.) 


Restli; '  ^pon  the  Trenton  limestone,  with  which,  in  the  bed 
of  Sandy  Cieek,  in  Rodman,  it  is  seen  in  contact,  is  a  soft  black 
slate,  readily  crumbling  to  fragments  under  the  action  of  frost, 
and  divided  by  vertical  parallel  seams  into  regular  masses.  From 
ils  occurrence  in  the  hills  north  of  Utica,  it  has  been  called 
Utica  slate.  It  has  not  been  found  applicable  to  any  useful 
purpose,  although  experiments  have  been  made  to  test  its  value 
as  a  lithic  paint.  Where  sulphuret  of  iron  could  be  procured, 
the  manufacture  of  alum  might  be  attempted  with  prospect  of 
success. 


1,  Cab/mene  Beckti. 

3,  Orthonota . 

5,  Avicula . 


%  Modiohpna  anodorUoides^ 

4,JVticula ? 

6,  Lingula  quadrala. 


Fossils  are  common,  but  less  numerous  in  this  rock  than  in 

those  below  it.  Sev- 
eral of  these  are  com- 
mon in  the  rocks 
above  and  below  this. 
The  trilobite  here 
figured  is  the  only 
one  known  in  this 
slate,  but  is  found 
both  above  and  be- 
low. 

lyHend  af  Cal  men:  Beckii,    2,  Graptohlnus^ 
frislis.    i,  Trocholiles  ammonius 

The  Graptolithus  is  numerous  both  in  individuals  and  species 
in  the  shales  on  the  Hudson  River.  Being  often  compressed, 
their  true  nature  was  for  some  time  unknown,*  and  they  were 
classed  with  plants  by  some  riters.  When  preserved  in  cal- 
careous matter,  their  true  nature  becomes  more  apparent,  and 
show  them  lo  have  been  animals  of  the  lower  orders,  with  a 
semi-calcareous  body  and  a  corticiform  covering.  ^  In  some  pla- 
ces, ihese  fossils  are 'replaced  by  iron  pyrites,  that  in  fresh  speci- 
mens possesses  a  b.ight  metallic  lusture,  but  which  soon  tarnish 
and  crumble  by  expt    .  c      Sulphui  springs  are  of  frequent  oc- 


I'  ii 


*  PtleeontoloKT  of  New  lurk.      368, 


64 


Lorraine  Shale». 


currence  in  this  rock,  and  native  snipper  ic  sometimes  noticed 
encrusting  the  surfaces  in  ravines,  Adhere  waters  charged  with 
sulphureted  hydrogen  have  been  exposed  to  vegetable  action. 
Covering  this  formation,  and  con^itituting  the  superficial  rock 
of  Lorraine,  Worth,  and  part  of  Hodman,  is  a  series  consisting  of 
alternating  layers  of  sbulc  and  slate,  some  of  which  are  highly 


1 ,  Trintieleus  concentricut, 
'\  Ltptana  dettoidea. 


2,  Ltptctna  altemata, 
4,  Modiolopaia  nwdiolaria. 


fo'-siliferous,  and  others  entirely  destitute  of  organic  remains. 
Those  that  serve  to  distinguish  it  from  the  formations  beneath 

are  the  annexed,  which  are  rea- 
dily recognized,  and  almost  al- 
ways present.  From  the  re- 
markable development  of  this 
rock  in  Lorraine,  it  has  received 
the  name  of  Lorraine  Shales. 
For  a  similar  reason  it  is  known 
elsewhere  as  the  Hudson  River 
group,  from  iis  forming  the 
highly  inclined  shales  that  occur, 
of  enormous  thickness,  in  the 
valley  of  the  Hudson.  This  rock 
is  nearly  worthless  for  any  use- 
ful purpose,  although  at  Pulaski 
and  elsewhere,  layers  are  found 
that  are  adapted  for  building. 
The  mineral  springs  of  Saratoga 
arise  from  this  rock.  Having  thus  briefly  enumerated  the  lead- 
ing geciogical  features  of  the  county,  some  generalizations  of 
Ike  several  rocky  formations  may  be  m^Ai. 


],  Jlmbonychia  radinta, 

%  Joint  uf  the  Gh/plocrinus  de- 
eadadylus,  a  criuoiduuii  'oiiBil  v  y 
common. 

3,  Cjrtolitei  ornaiu$. 


n 


Lorraine  ShaJet. — General  Obtervatlons. 


646 


To  one  accustomed  to  close  and  careful  observation,  the  fea- 
tures of  a  country  and  the  contour  of  its  hills,  afford  a  reli^^ble 
means  of  opinion  on  the  character  of  llie  subjacent  rock.  There 
pertains  to  each  of  these  in  this  county  a  peculiarity  of  profile, 
when  exposed  in  tbe  brow  of  hills,  that  is  as  constant  and  as 
vnmistakeable  as  any  c'  iss  hcnom,  na  offered  to  the  observa- 
tion of  geologists  ;  ai  d  tl,.  'Ctive  features  arise  from  the 
greater  or  less  facility  with  w  ■;  several  rocks  yield  to  dis 


integrating  forces.     The 
posed,   and  offering  litth 
water,  present  a  rounded  jut 
worn  deep,  winding  gulphs,  tht 


tod  .*'ites  be'ng  easily  decom- 

^  to  the  action  of*^  running 

unning  streams  have  here 

_.i  which  the  channels  mean- 


der, washing  alternately  the  right  bank  and  the  left,  affording  a 
succession  of  crumbling  precipices,  often  of  romantic  beauty,  and 
spreading  over  the  plains,  wnere  they  issue  from  the  hills,  the 
broken  materials  brought  down  from  the  ravines.  The  rock  is 
every  where  covered  with  soil,  derived  from  its  own  disintegra- 
tion, and  is  inclined  to  clay,  from  which  cause,  when  level,  there 
is  a  tendency  to  the  formation  of  swamps,  from  the  impermeable 
character  of  this  material.  The  soil  is  generally  fertile,  and  es- 
pecially adapted  to  grazing.  Wherever  diluvial  action  has  ex- 
isted, it  has  worn,  with  little  difficulty,  broad  valleys,  and  re- 
moved immense  quantities  of  the  detritus  to  other  places. 

These  shales  form  a  ridge  of  highlands,  extending  from  this 
county,  through  Oswego,  Lewis,  Oneida,  and  Herkimer  counties, 
being  known,  in  Lewis,  as  Tug  Hill.  The  margin  of  this  ele- 
vated tract  is  worn  into  deep  ravines,  but  when  the  head  of  these 
is  reached,  the  country  becomes  level,  and  sometimes  swampy, 
with  frequent  beaver  meadows.  The  streams  are  sluggish  and 
miry,  and  the  water  highly  discolored,  probably  from  the  pre- 
sence of  the  black  oxyde  of  manganese,  that  is  of  frequent  occur- 
rence in  the  swamps,  and  is  found  coating  the  bowlders,  exposed 
to  running  water.  The  junction  between  the  Utica  slate  and 
Trenton  limestone,  is  generally  concealed  by  deep  deposits, 
brought  down  from  the  upper  formation. 

The  change,  where  observed  in  the  bed  of  Sandy  Creek,  is 
well  defined,  there  being  no  blending  of  the  two  rocks.  Along 
the  base  of  the  slate  is  usually  a  strip  of  clay,  a  few  rods  in 
width,  but  continuing  for  considerable  distances.  The  thickness 
of  these  shales  in  the  ridge  of  highlands  extending  towards 
Utica,  can  not  be  less  than  five  hundred  feet.  Local  disturbances 
are  but  seldom  seen,  and  the  stratification  is  usually  horizontal. 
Pebbles  from  the  lower  rocks  are  occasionally  noticed,  and  ob- 
scure traces  of  organic  remains,  that  have  not  been  described. 

The  limestone  occurs  in  terraces,  with  steep, but  not  precipitous 
margins,  the  whole  of  which  is  covered  with  a  soil,  derived  from 


1^ 


Rl  '■' 


^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


IU|28    |2^ 

Uj  ■•■■    ■■■ 

^   Ug    12.0 


IL25  i  1.4 


m 

i  1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIBSTER.N.Y.  MStO 

(716)  •73-4503 


v 


■<^ 


546 


Chneral  Observations. 


its  own  decomposition,  where  not  protected  by  drift.  The  soil 
is  inclined  to  be  thin^  and  consequently  liable  to  be  affected  with 
drouth,  but  is  extremely  fertile,  and  alike  adapted  to  grass  and 
grain.  The  richest  and  best  portions  of  Jefferson  county,  if  not 
in  the  state,  are  underlaid  by  this  rock.  Running  streams,  when 
small,  do  not  wear  ravines,  but  fall  down  the  slope  of  the  terra- 
ces, in  pretty  cascades,  broken  into  foam,  and  noisy  from  the 
numerous  points  of  resistance  which  they  meet. 


BtarrviUe  Cascades. 

The  Burrville  Cascades  have  been  noticed  on  page  240,  and 
are  among  ♦he  most  romantic  and  pleasing  which  the  country  af- 
ford'^. Streams,  if  large,  and  especially  if  liable  to  be  swollen 
irlo  impetuous  torrents,  wear  gulphs  of  short  extent  into  the 
plains  from  which  they  flow,  ami  where  these  rocks  form  the  bed 
of  streams,  the  latter  have  worn  channels  of  sufficient  depth  to 
<;ontain  the  ordinary  volume  of  the  stream  only;  where  the  sur- 
face has  been  protected  by  a  drift  deposit,  but  not  often  else- 
where, it  presents  the  marks  «f  attrition  of  the  drift  period; 
springs  are  of  frequent  occurrence,  oftener  near  the  foot  of  the 
terraces,  and  the  water  is  limpid,  but  unfit  for  washing,  from  be- 
ing charged  with  lime. 

The  calciferous  sandstone  presents  a  flat  country,  with  few 
valleys,  and  tthose  but  a  f(.'W  feet  below  the  level  of  the  adjacent 


General  Observations. 


647 


^jis.\v; 


plains.  The  rock  is  covered  viiih  a  very  thin  soil,  derived  from 
its  own  decomposition,  but  one  of  much  richness,  from  the  pres- 
ence'of  lime.  It  seldom  descends  by  a  gentle  slope  into  the  val- 
.eys,  but  presents  a  shelving  ledge,  very  peculiar  to  this  rock,  in 
this  section  of  the  state.  Swamps,  when  they  occur,  are  bordered 
with  this  sharp  margin  of  rock,  and  Lave  a  deep  soil,  as  if  they 
had  ancientijr  been  lakes.  When  springs  exist,  they  are  com- 
monly l^ard  Irom  the  lime  which  the  rock  contains. 

The  Potsdam  sandstone  generally  presents  a  level  surface,  but 
more  liable  to  upheavals,  and  is  covered  with  soil  entirely  brought 
from  other  formations,  and  varies  in  quality  with  sources  from 
which  it  has  been  derived.  Where  not  covered  with  drift,  as 
occurs  near  Plessis,  it  is  a  barren  rock,  which,  although  exposed 
from  time  immemorial  to  the  action  of  the  elements,  still  pre- 
serves the  traces  of  diluvial  abrasion.  This  rock  never  presents 
a  fertile  slope  into  the  valleys,  but  is  bordered  with  abrupt  pre- 
cipices,  at  the  foot  of  which  are  pi)ed  huge  masses,  that  have 
tumbled  from  the  face  of  the  ledge. 

The  primitive  rocks  of  the  county  present  a  constant  succession 
Qf  abrupt  rounded  ridges,  scantily  covered  in  the  state  of  nature 
with  timber,  and,  when  cleared,  with  a  thin  soil,  with  intervening 
valleys  of  considerable  fertility,  that  have  received  their  soil  from 
the  wash  of  the  hills.  The  nature  and  amount  of  soil  varies 
with  the  rock,  and  is  abundant  and  fertile,  where  limestone  and 
feldspar  abound,  as  its  constituents,  but  much  less  so,  where  the 
chief  element  is  quartz.  It  was  observed  by  Mr.  Wright,  when 
surveying  the  townships  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  and  the  same 
fact  is  observable  to  some  extent  in  this,  where  from  its  less  ex- 
tent, but  few  opportunities  are  afforded  for  observing  it,  that  the 
south  slope  of  the  hills  is  more  abrupt  than  the  north,  as  if  they 
had  been  more  upheaved.  The  prevailinp:  dip  of  the  strata  of 
gneiss  is  towards  the  north  or  north  west,  where  observed  in 
this  county. 

Drift  deposits  occur  promiscuously  over  rocks  of  every  age, 
covering  them  unequally  with  transported  materials,  and  when 
occurring  in  hills,  presenting  that  rounded  and  conical  outline 
often  seen  in  snow  drifts.  Having  been  deposited  in  moving 
water,  wherever  a  sheltered  point  or  conflicting  curren(s  favored, 
they  were  subject  to  all  the  dynamic  laws  which  modify  the  motions 
of  solids  moving  in  fluids.  These  deposits  may  be  distinguished 
from  soil  underlaid  by  rock,  by  the  endless  variety  of  rounded 
outline  which  they  present,  and  are  invariably  covered  with 
vegetation. 

About  a  third  of  the  county,  in  its  central  part,  lies  in  the  valley 
of  Black  River,  the  remainder  being  drained  by  Sandy  Creek,  In- 
dian River,  and  the  minor  streams  running  into  the  lake  and 


•  ■''.^~:-- 


548 


Black  Rivept 


'i     *i: 


^. 


St.  Lawrence.  E.  H.  Brodhead*  estimated  its  roluine  at  lor 
water,  at  94,000  cubic  feet  per  minute;  that  of  the  Oswegatchie 
being  20,000,  and  of  Indian  River  3,000.t  The  river  descends 
480  feet  between  Carthage  and  the  lake,  giving  a  power  equal 
to  135,360  horses,  working  eight  hours  a  day.  In  this  distance, 
at  the  present  time,*lbe  water  passes  over  thirteen  dams,  at  none 
of  which  the  entire  amount  of  water  is  used;  and  at  mcwt  of 
them  but  a  very  small  portion  is  employed.  Although  Indian 
River,  and  iseveral  of  its  tributaries,  and  the  two  branches  of 
Sandy  Creek,  and  other  streams  of  less  note,  afford  at  many 
points  eligible  sites  for  hydraulic  purposes,  yet  their  aggregate 
is  far  below  that  afforded  by  Black  River,  which,  at  a  future  time, 
will  doubtless  be  improved  to  an  extent  infinitely  surpassing  the 
most  sanguine  anticipations  of  the  present  age.  This  river  has 
proved  somewhat  subject  to  floods,  which  requires  the  exercise 
of  care  in  locating  buildings  upon  its  banks;  but  from  its  bed 
being  generally  rock,  ample  meaas  are  available  for  the  security 
of  dams  which  have  been  seldom  or  never  swept  off. 

From  the  extent  and  number  of  the  lakes  tnat  exist  near  the 
sources  of  this  river,  and  its  tributaries,  in  the  primary  region  of 
Levris  and  Herkimer  counties,  no  apprehension  need  be  felt  that 
the  opposite  extreme  of  drouth  will  necessarily  occur  in  future, 
for,  by  constructing  dams  and  sluices  at  the  outlets  of  these  lakes, 
they  may  be  cheaply  converted  into  immense  reservoirs  to  retain 
the  spring  floods  resulting  from  the  melting  of  winter  snows,  and 
equalize  the  discharge  through  the  dr  nson;  thus  serving  the 
double  purpose  of  preventing  excf  freshets,  or  extreme 

drouth. 

The  greatest  freshet  known,  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1807, 
from  the  melting  of  spring  snows.  In  1SI8,  in  May,  1833,  in 
1839,  1841,  and  1843,  were  heavy  spring  floods. 

Lake  Ontario  has  makiy  features  in  its  geology  of  engaging 
interest.  Its  length  is  172  miles,  and  greatest  breadth  5?f  miles. 
According  to  the  chart  of  Captain  A.  Ford,  U.  S.  N.,  its  greatest 
depth  is  95  fathoms,  and  its  elevation  above  tide  bemg  but 
234  feet,^  it  would  still  be  a  lake,  if  the  outlet  was  deepened 
so  as  to  allow  the  tide  to  flow  up  to  it.  The  east  end  of  the  lake 
is,  to  some  extent,  bordered  by  low  sand  hills,  behind  which,  are 
marshes;  the  south  shore  is  moderately  elevated,  the  north  and 
north-west  more  elevated,  and  much  of  the  way  rocky.  Its  wa- 
ters are  subject  to  changes  of  level,  that  occupy  several  years,  but 
appear  to  be  governed  by  no  other  causes  than  the  unequal  sup- 
ply from  tributaries.    Low  water  is  said  to  have  occurred  in 

*  Report  of  Bluk  River  Canal  exter.«ion,  Auetn.  Doc,  1840,  No.  933,  p. 
36,  40.  tlb.  p.  36. 

X  On  Burr^  Sute  Map,  the  height  of  the  lake  ii  itated  to  be  S34  feet}  the 
Canadian  rail  road  lunreys  give  S381  fe«t. 


Lake  Ridgea. 


649 


1803,  1804,  1808  to  1811;  1822  to  1828;  1844  to  18cO.  High 
water  is  mentioned  in  1798,  1805  to  1807;  1812  to  1819;  1829 
to  1831;  1837  to  1839;  1852,  1853.  Middling  height  in  1820, 
1821,  1832  to  1836;  1840,  1841,  1851.  The  change  of  level 
is  about  five  feet. 

Charlevoix,  in  1721,  noticed  a  periodical  flux  and  reflux  of 
the  lake,  recurring  at  intervals  of  a  few  minutes,  and  by  him 
ascribed  to  springs  at  the  bottom  of  the  lake,  and  the  shock  of 
rivers  discharging  into  it.  This  flow  is  probably  caused  by  the 
prevalence  of  distant  winds,  that  at  times  create  a  swell  at  one 
end  of  the  lake  when  it  is  calm  at  the  other.  It  is  further  noticed, 
that  long  prevailing  gales  from  the  west,  from  the  friction  upon 
the  surface,  cause  the  waters  to  rise  several  feet  at  the  east  end. 
It  was  from  a  similar  cause,  that  a  serious  inundation  occurred 
on  Lake  £rie,  at  Buffalo,  in  the  fall  of  1844. 

Water  spouts  have  been  often  seen  on  the  lake,  usually  in  the 
summer  or  fall,  and  in  showery  6ckle  weather.  They  are  ac- 
companied by  black  clouds  and  a  roaring  sound.  When  they 
strike  the  land,  they  prove  to  be  tornadoes,  tearing  up  the  trees 
and  strewing  their  track  with  ruin. 

The  mirage  is  a  phenomenon,  frequent  in  bright,  sunny  weather 
in  summer  and  fall,  elevating  distant  objects  by  refraction,  and 
bringing  ^hem  nearer.  Some  remarkable  instances  have  been 
noticed.  The  most  common  form  of  this  illusion,  consists  in 
raising  distant  objects  a  little  into  the  air,  the  sky  seeming  to 
extend  under  them. 

That  the  lake  once  flowed  over  a  large  portion  of  the  county, 
at  a  very  recent  geological  period,  is  proved  by  the  elevated  lake 
ridges,  which  extend  from  Oswego  County,  through  Ellisburgh, 
Adams,  Watertown,  and  Rutland.  Mr.  William  Dewey,  in  sur- 
veying the  rail  road  route,  in  1836,  thus  mentions  them:  "We 
found  the  summit  of  the  highest  ridge  to  be  about  400  feet  [more 
exactly  390  feel]  above  Lake  Ontario.*  Its  formation  oftiers  a 
curious  subject  for  geological  investigation.  It  is  remarkably 
uniform,  and  is  supposed,  in  past  ages,  to  have  constituted  the 
shores  of  some  great  inland  sea,  whose  surface  lay  far  above  those 
mighty  forests  and  fertile  plains  that  now  form  some  of  the  rich- 
est portions  of  our  state.  Frequently,  three  or  four  successive 
ridges  are  plainly  developed,  varying  in  level  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet.  *  *  *  In  the  course  of  our  explorations,  from  possess- 
ing a  knowledge  of  their  elevation,  these  ridges  were  a  sure 
guide  to  determine  the  relative  heights  of  different  points  that 
occurred  on  the  route.     A  more  beautiful  site  for  the  location  of 


P- 
tha 


^The  author  is  indebted  to  C. 
inqairiea. 

35 


y.  R.  Horton,  of  Chaumont,  for  theao 


/ 


650 


Lake  Ridges. — Queries. 


v' 


a  rail  road  could  not  be  desired,  than  the  summit  of  these  ridgis, 
vrere  not  the  uniformity  of  their  course  frequently  broken  by 
sharp  angles,  and  interrupted  at  intervals  by  deep  gullies,  caused 
by  the  action  of  small  streams  carrying  away  the  very  light  ma- 
terial of  which  they  are  composed.  The  slope  from  the  ridges, 
in  many  places,  is  regular  and  gradual,  until  the  elevation  is  re- 
duced to  300  feet  above  the  lalce,  when  it  becomes  broken  and 
unsuitable  for  our  purpose.  This  ridge,  we  found  to  extend  on 
the  line  of  our  survey  about  thirty  miles  from  the  point  where 
we  were  first  enabled  to  avail  ourselves  of  its  advantage." 

Along  the  brow  of  the  first  hill,  in  going  east  from  Watertown, 
this  ridge  is  cut  through  in  making  the  plank  road,  and  the 
beach,  with  its  piles  of  bowlders  below  it,  may  be  traced  each 
way  from  this  place  very  easily.  Along  the  side  of  the  slope 
of  limestone  rock,  which  approaches  Black  River,  below  the 
village  of  Lockport,  may  be  seen,  plainly  marked,  the  traces  of 
an  ancient  beach,  at  two  or  three  different  levels.  The  lime- 
stone must  here  have  formed  a  bold  shore  to  the  lake. 

A  curious  occurrence  of  red  cedar  timber  on  a  small  hill  in 
Pamelia,  about  three  miles  north  of  Watertown,  was  mentioned 
to  the  author  by  Mr.  John  Felt,  who  ingeniously  suggested 
that,  as  the  margin  of  the  hill  was  a  bed  of  smooth  gravel,  and 
as  this  timber  occurs  on  islands  in  the  lake,  and  almost  nowhere 
else  in  the  country,  that  this  spot  might  then  have  been  an  island. 

Endless  speculations  might  be  made  on  the  extent  of  this  form- 
er lake,  and  the  causes  that  have  wrought  the  ^change.  The 
subject  is  too  extended  for  our  discussion ;  but  the  following  ques- 
tions at  once  arise,  and  would  need  to  be  first  settled.  Rome  is 
on  a  summit,  from  whence  the  waters  flow  by  Wood  Creel'  and  the 
Mohawk,  in  opposite  directions.  It  is  but  thirty-two  feet  higher 
than  Watertown.  The  lake  ridges  are  232  feet  above  Water- 
town.  Queries.  Did  the  lake  then  flow  through  the  Mohawk 
Valley?  Did  it  then  cover  the  country  down  to  the  Noses,  on 
the  Mohawk,  and  the  highlands  of  Quebec? 

Earthquakes  have  several  times  occurred  in  this  section  of  the 
country.  One  is  recorded  in  Canada,  February  6,  1663,  and  is 
related  as  most  terrific  and  awful.  The  ice  in  the  St.  Lawrence 
was  broken  up,  the  earth  was  violently  shaken,  houses  thrown 
down,  and  such  was  the  tumult  of  the  elements,  that  many  be- 
lieved that  the  end  of  the  world  was  coming.  Several  times, 
since  the  settlement  of  the  country,  slight  shocks  have  been  felt. 
On  the  12th  of  March,  1853,  at  2  o'clock  a.  m.,  a  shock  occurred 
that  was  felt  in  Lewis  and  parts  of  Jefferson  Counties.  It  com- 
menced with  a  rumbling  sound  that  lasted  about  a  minute  and  a 
half,  and  was  attended  with  a  deep  rolling  thunder.  It  is  credi- 
bly related  that,  in  Champion,  the  snow,  then  covered  by  a  strong 
crust,  was  found  broken  into  fissures  by  the  movement 


FaUey*. — Dri/i  Agencies. 


551 


If  the 

id  is 

lence 

own 

be- 
lli) es, 

felt, 
itrred 
:ora- 
[nd  a 
Iredi- 
Irong 


Several  remarkable  valleys  occur  in  the  county,  that  must  be 
attributed  to  causes  that  have  long  since  ceased  to  operate.  That 
of  Rutland  Hollow,  parallel  with  Black  River,  has  been  no- 
ticed.* It  is  continued  across  the  towns  of  Watertown,  Hounds- 
field  and  Henderson,  by  way  of  Smithville,  to  the  lake,  having 
both  of  its  sides  composed  of  Trenton  limestone.  It  >'  probable 
that  it  was  formed  by  the  same  agencies  that  have  removed  the 
Trenton  from  over  the  lower  limestones,  north  of  Black  River; 
transported  vast  quantities  of  loose  materials  from  the  distant 
primary  regions,  and  deposited  them  as  bowlders,  gravel,  hard- 
pan,  sand  and  clays,  promiscuously  over  the  other  formations. 
The  surface  rock,  where  of  sufficient  hardness  to  resist  decay, 
or  where  protected  by  superficial  deposits,  often  presents  a  po- 
lished and  grooved  appearance,  and  at  no  locality  is  this  more 
wonderfully  shown,  than  at  the  rail  road  bridge,  below  Water- 
town  Village.  The  grooves  are  here  widened  and  deepened  into 
troughs,  that  obliquely  cross  he  bed  of  the  riveij^  having  their 
surfaces  polished  and  scratched,  showing  that  the  rock  was  then 
as  firm  and  unyielding  as  now.  These  furrows  are  from  one  to 
three  feet  deep,  and  from  five  to  ten  feet  wide. 

Mineral  Localities. 

Anthracite  has  been  observed  in  minute  quantities,  glazing 
the  surface  and  lining  the  cavities  of  fossils  in  the  Trenton  lime- 
stone at  Watertown.  In  minute  quantites  and  thin  seams  it  has 
also  been  noticed  in  Utica  slate,  in  the  south-western  border  of 
the  county. 

Apatite  (phosphate  of  lime)  is  rarely  found  in  small  crystals 
near  Ox  Bow,  in  white  limestone,  with  pargasite,  &c.  On  But- 
terfield  Lake  it  occurs  massive.  It  is  also  found  near  Grass 
Lake,  in  Theresa.  A  most  remarkable  locality  of  this  mineral 
occurs  in  Rossie,  near  this  lake.  When  in  quantity,  it  is  prized 
as  a  fertilizing  agent,  being  in  chemical  composition  analagous 
to  burnt  bones.    It  is  also  used  in  assaying  gold  and  silver. 

Azurite  (blue  carb.  copper)  occurs  with  the  green  carbonate 
(coating  copper  pyrites  and  staining  other  minerals)  on  an 
island  in  Muscalunge  Lake,  Theresa. 

Ca/a7e (carbonate  of  lime),  besides  forming  a  principal  constit- 
uent of  white  and  secondary  limestone,  occurs  often  crystalized 
in  groups  of  great  beauty,  at  Ox  Bow,  and  on  the  banks  of 
Vrooman  Lake.  Huge  crystals,  some  nearly  transparent  and 
tinged  of  a  delicate  pink,  were  found  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Benton, 
many  years  since,  and  the  locality  here  still  affords  many  inte- 
resting forms.  This  mineral,  crystalized,  is  common  throughout 
the  district  of  the  white  limestone,  usually  occupying  cavities 
in  the  rock;  and  it  has  been  observed  that  those  of  the  same 
locality,  present  striking  points  of  resemblance  in  modification. 

*  See  a  notice  of  thit  valley  on  page  240. 


"Tfivn»rff.»ffipT5'.--i*i?*t?i  J- 


5513 


Mineral  Localitie». 


Veins  of  \rhite  spar  are  common  in  fossil iferous  limestones,  and 
the  cavities  of  fossils  are  very  often  lined  ^vith  crystals.  It  occurs 
also  in  minute  veins  in  shale.  Tufa  is  found  in  a  few  limestone 
springs,  and  agaric  mineral  abounds  in  the  caves  in  Pamelia, 
opposite  Watertown.  Marl  occurs  in  Pleasant  Lake,  Champion. 
Satin  spar  occurs  near  Ox  Bow,  not  far  from  Pulpit  Rock. 

Celestine  (sulphate  of  strontia)  is  said  to  occur  in  Trenton 
limestone,  in  disseminated  nodules.  The  quantity  must  be  small, 
and  its  existence  is  somewhat  uncertain. 

Chakodite.  Under  this  name  has  been  described,  by  Professor 
C.  U.  Shepard,  of  New  Haven,*  a  mineral  which  had  previously 
been  considered  cacoxene.f  It  occurs  in  minue  globular  and 
stellar  groups,  on  surfaces  of  specular  iron  ore,  of  a  yellow  color, 
fibrouL  texture,  and  so  slightly  coherent  as  to  be  easily  broken  by 
contact  vith  a  solid  body.  Surfaces  covered  with  this  mineral 
are  frequently  obtained  at  the  Sterling  iron  mine,  in  Antwerp, 
at  which  locality  alone,  in  this  section  of  the  state,  it  has  been 
found.  It  Is  interesting  for  its  rarity  more  than  its  splendor. 
Sometimes  it  occurs  of  a  delicate  green  and  brown  color. 

Chondrodite  has  been  observed  in  small  quantities,  with  spi- 
nel, in  Antwerp. 

Chlorite  has  been  detected  in  bowlders,  but  is  not  common. 

Copper  pyrites  has  been  found  at  several  localities  in  Ant- 
werp, adjacent  to  Vrooman  Lake,  and  near  the  Ox  Bow,  and 
..so  about  three  miles  from  Natural  Bridge,  in  Wilna,  where  it 
,  as  wrought  to  some  extent,  late  in  the  lall  of  1847,  by  a  Bos- 
ton company.  It  was  examined  chemically  by  Professor  C.  T. 
Jackson,  of  Boston,  and  is  said  to  have  yielded  a  small  per  cent- 
age  of  tin.  Besides  this,  it  was  mixed  with  iron  pyrites  to  a 
considerable  extent.  This  mineral  has  not  hitherto  been  found 
in  sufficient  quantities  to  pay  the  cost  of  mining  in  this  section 
of  the  state. 

Dolomite  occurs  often  disseminated  in  white  limestone,  where, 
from  its  ability  to  resist  solution,  it  remains  in  relief  upon  the 
weathered  surface,  in  prominent  masses.  Pearl  spar  is  found  at 
Ox  Bow,  coating  crystals  of  calcite.  Ankerite  has  been  attrib- 
uted to  the  iron  mines  of  this  county,  but  we  have  never  been 
able  to  distinguish  it  from  spathic  iron. 

Epidote,  in  granular  masses,  disseminated  in  bowlders  of  green 
stone,  is  of  frequent  occurrence.  It  has  not  been  found  in  situ 
in  the  county. 

Feldspar  (orthoclase),  besides  forming  a  common  ingredient 
in  gneiss,  often  occurs,  highly  crystalized,  in  Antwerp,  and  The- 

*  Proceedings  of  American  Association,  Albany,  1851,  p.  232. 
t  N.  Y.  Geological  Rep.,  1840,  p.  110.    Dr.  Beck's  Min.  Rep.,  p.  403. 
Dana^s  Mineralogy,  3d  ed.,  p.  232,  ^c. 


Mineral  Locaiitiea. 


553 


m 


resa,  near  Grass  Lake,  &c.  Porphyry  occurs  in  bowlders  and 
trap,  and  greenstone  both  in  bowlders  and  dikes.  The  latter 
occur  with  peculiar  interest  and  variety  in  Antwerp,  between 
Vrooraan  and  Muscalunge  lakes.  Dikes,  of  great  width,  are  ob- 
served in  the  neighboring  town  ot'Rossie. 

Fluor  Spar.  The  most  remarkable  locality  of  this  mineral  in 
the  state  was  discovered  about  fifteen  years  since,  on  the  east 
bank  of  Muscalunge  Lake,  in  Theresa,  in  a  vein  of  considerable 
width,  with  calcite,  and  heavy  spar.  Cubic  crystals,  a  foot  in  di- 
ameter, quite  transparent  and  Yielding  by  cleavage  an  octahedron, 
were  procured  here.  The  larger  specimens  were  commonly 
rough  externally,  but  the  smaller  ones  were  smooth  and  transpa- 
rent, and  groups  of  these  crystals  of  great  beauty  and  interest 
were  procured.  The  locality  was  purchased  with  the  view  of 
working  it  as  a  flux,  but  nothing  was  done  in  this  line,  and  good 
specimens  can  now  only  be  procured  with  much  labor,  expense  and 
danger.  The  color  of  the  mineral  here  was  generally  pale  green 
and  sometimes  deep  erccn.  With  heavy  spar,  in  Adams,  green 
crystals  occur  of  small  size,  and  it  is  more  abundantly  diffused  in  a 
massive  state.  Rarely,  cavities  in  fossils  in  the  Trenton  limestone, 
are  lined  with  small  crystals  of  this  mineral. 

Garnet  is  common  in  bowlders,  but  does  not  here  occur  else- 
where. 

Graphite  (black  lead)  occurs  in  minute  scales,  to  a  small  ex- 
tent, in  the  white  limestone  of  Antwerp. 

Heavy  spar  (sulphate  of  barytes).  One  of  the  most  interest- 
ing localities  of  this  mineral  in  the  state,  occurs  on  Pillar  Point, 
in  Brownville,  on  the  shore  facing  Chaurao^i'  Bay  and  Cherry 
Island.  It  occupies  a  vein  in  Trenton  limt.''; ii8,  from  one  to 
two  feet  thick,  and  is  chiefly  interesting  for  the  delicate  alterna- 
tions of  color,  in  zones  and  bands,  which  become  apparent  upon 
the  polished  surface.  It  has  been  wrought  to  a  considerable 
extent  as  a  material  for  lithic  paint,  but  has  lately  been  purchased 
from  its  supposed  importance  in  indicating  the  existence  of 
metallic  ores,  although  none  have  hitherto  been  observed  in  its 
vicinity. 

In  Antwerp,  about  a  mile  east  from  the  ^  Bow,  on  the  farm  of 
Robert  Dean,  occurs  an  interesting  localiiy  of  this  mineral,  in  a 
cavity  or  vein  of  white  limestone.  From  the  great  abundance 
of  vermicular  cavities  and  pores,  it  is  very  light,  and  the  cavi- 
ties often  present  globular  surfaces,  studded  with  crystals.  From 
the  presence  of  iron,  the  mineral  is  much  stained  with  the  yellow 
oxyde  of  that  metal;  but  where  it  has  not  been  exposed  to  the 
weather,  it  is  sometimes  white.  No  metallic  associates  have  been 
noticed  here. 

In   the  town  of  Theresa,  an  interesting  locality  of  highly 


^-f^ 


554 


Mineral  Localitie*. 


crystalinc  heavy  5pnr,  which  has  been  suspected  to  contain  stron- 
tia,  occurs.  Be'^utiful  specimens  have  been  obtained  here. 
The  banks  of  Muskelunge  Lake  aiford  small  but  elegant  crystals. 
In  Adams,  near  the  north  border,  and  about  two  miles  north-west 
from  Adams  Centre  depot,  on  the  farms  of  Calvin  Warrener,  H. 
Colton  and  others,  is  a  very  remarkable  locality  of  this  mineral. 
A  ragged  and  very  irregular  vein  has  here  been  traced  more 
than  a  mile,  nearly  east  and  west,  in  a  hill  of  Trenton  limestone, 
that  rises  on  three  sides  to  a  commandint;;  height,  and  overlooks 
the  country  north  and  west  to  a  great  distance.  About  eight 
years  since,  it  came  to  the  notice  of  a  paint  manufacturing  com- 
pany in  Brownville,  and  about  fifty  tons  have  been  removed  for 
that  purpose,  on  a  ten  years  lease,  giving  fifty  cents  per  perch, 
tribute.  A  perch  weighs  two  tons,  and  when  prepared,  makes 
52,5UU  pounds  of  paint.  The  mineral  in  Adams  is  much  mingled 
with  the  limestone,  through  which  it  sends  thin  veins,  and  de- 
tached masses  of  the  latter  frequently  occur  imbedded.  Its  struc- 
ture is  compact,  color  white  or  flesh  colored,  and  inclined  to  as- 
sume the  peculiar  waved  and  contorted  appearance,  common  at 
the  Pillar  Point  locality.  Cavities  are  of  frequent  occurrence, 
which  are  usually  lined  with  faces  of  minute  bladed  crystals,  and 
it  is  associated  sparingly  with  calcite,  but  more  commonly  with 
fluorspar  disseminated  through  it,  and  often  cryslalized.  Heavy 
spar  has  been  extensively  used  at  Brownville,  to  adulterate  white 
lead.  It  is  prepared  by  crushing,  washing,  steaming  in  zinc 
vats  with  sulphuric  acid,  again  washing,  and  grinding  in  a  stone 
mill  in  water,  till  it  can  be  strained  through  a  fine  bolting  cloth, 
when  it  is  dried  and  ground  in  oil  with  white  lead.  This  manu- 
facture has  been  abandoned,  and  will  not  probably  be  resumed. 

Hornblende.  Besides  being  a  common  constituent  of  gneiss,  nu- 
merous varieties  of  this  rock  occur  in  bowlders  and  rocky  strata, 
among  which  arc  the  following:  Amphibole  (basaltic  horn- 
blende) is  found  in  bowlders  in  crystals,  firmly  imbedded  in  trap 
and  green  stone.  Tremolite  is  found  in  bowlders  of  white  lime- 
stone, and,  occasionally,  in  small  quantities  in  Antwerp  and  in 
AVilna,  near  Nalural  Bridge.  Diallage  is  rarely  found  in  bowl- 
ders of  chloritic  slate.  Pargasite,  in  beautiful  green  crystals, 
occurs  in  white  limestone  at  numerous  localities  near  Ox  Bow, 
and  in  a  neighborhood  known  as  New  Connecticut,  in  Antwerp, 
near  the  Ox  Bow.  It  is  commonly  found  with  apatite,  crystal- 
ized  feldspar  and  sphene.  The  crystals  are  small,  but  usually 
well  defined,  and  so:netimes  occur  in  radiating  clusters.  Ami- 
anthus and  Ashestus  are  found  in  minute  quantities  in  bowlders 
of  serpentine.  The  latter  also  occurs  half  a  mile  from  Theresa 
Village.  Besides  these  varieties,  hornblende  is  found  in  bowlders, 
coarsely  crystaline,  slaty,  and  compact,  and  of  the  latter  a  vari- 


Mineral  Localitie», 


666 


I- 

W, 
•P» 


cty  containing  grains  of  garr.et  is  extremely  tough.  Ttiis  min- 
eral does  not  of  itself  occur  in  rocky  masses  in  our  county, 
and  the  source  iroin  whence  these  bowlders  are  derived  must  be 
distant. 

Idocrase^  in  small  brown  crystals,  occurs  occasionally  on  the 
banks  of  Vrooman  Lake,  near  Ox  Bow.  It  has  been  found  in 
larger  crystals,  in  bowlders,  in  Antwerp. 

Iron  Pyrites  (sulphurct  of  iron)  occurs  in  the  iron  mines 
of  Antwerp,  in  Wilna,  Theresa,  Alexandria,  and  more  rarely 
in  thin  veins  and  grains  in  Trtnton  limestone.  Its  most  inter- 
esting form  is  seen  in  Utica  su.e,  where  it  is  found  replacing 
the  substance  of  organic  remains,  which,  when  first  removeo, 
possess  the  lustre  and  color  of  brass,  but  soon  decompose  in 
the  air.  From  the  character  of  our  gei  .ogy,  this  mineral  can 
scarcely  be  expected  to  occur  in  profitable  quantities  for  the 
manufacture  of  copperas,  alum  or  soda  ash,  in  the  county. 
From  its  golden  splendor,  it  has  often  been  mistaken  for  that 
metal.  It  has  been  found  in  veins  of  spar,  in  Trenton  limestone, 
in  nodules  with  a  radiating  fibrous  texture.  This  is  the  mundic 
of  Cornish  miners. 

Labradoriie  (opalescent  feldspar)  is  occasionally  found  in 
bowlders,  but  less  commonly  than  in  St.  Lawrence  county. 

Limonite.  Bog  iron  ores  are  common  in  swamps  in  Wilna, 
and  aiijacent  to  the  river  above,  where  they  have  been  exten- 
sively used  in  making  iron.  They  occur  in  the  form  of  an 
earthy  loam,  coarse  granules,  and  solid  masses,  the  latter  often 
containing  the  forms  of  roots  and  leaves,  which  have  had  their 
substance  replaced  by  this  ore.  In  some  instances,  this  ore  will 
become  replaced,  when  exhausted,  by  a  fresh  deposit  from 
springs.  Ochre  occurs  in  Champion  and  other  towns,  in  small 
quantities. 

Magnetite-  Magnetic  iron  ore,  in  crystaline  blades,  dissemi- 
nated in  gneiss,  has  been  observed  in  the  town  of  Alexandria, 
in  sufflcient  abundance  to  lead  to  the  belief  that  it  might  be 
wrought  with  profit.  It  is  a  common  ingredient  in  that  rock, 
and  its  disintegration  affords  the  black  magnetic  writing  sand, 
frequently  met  with  on  the  banks  of  rivers  and  lakes.  When 
abundant,  this  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  ores  of  iron.  The 
primative  region  of  Alexandria  and  Wilna  may  perhaps  be 
found  to  contain  it  in  profitable  quantities. 

Malachite  (green  carbonate  of  copper)  is  found  in  small  quan- 
tities, investing  other  minerals,  at  Muscalunge  Lake,  Theresa. 

Milterite{su]phuTet  of  nickel)  was  first  noticed  by  the  author 
[American  Journal  of  Science,  2d  series,  vol.  ix.,  *287],  in  1848, 
at  the  Sterling  iron  mine,  in  Antwerp,  occurring  in  delicate 
needle-shaped  prisms,  in  cavities  of  iron  ore,  associated  with 


666 


Mineral  Localities. 


spathic  iron,  chalcodite,  nnd  iron  pyrites.  This  delicate  and 
very  rare  mineral  is  crystalized  in  hexasonal  prisms,  the  largest 
of  which  are  one  sixtieth  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  about  half 
an  inch  long,  usually  radiating  from  a  central  point  in  tuits,  like 
the  down  of  the  thistle,  and  it  has  the  color  and  splendor  of 
gold.  Sometimes  both  ends  are  attached,  but  more  commonly 
one  end  is  free,  and  by  successive  diminutions,  becomes  ex- 
cessively attenuated  and  very  flexible. 

Muscovite  (mica)  occurs  rarely  in  bowlders  of  granite. 

JVopthia?  While  excavating  the  wheel  pits  of  the  Jeflerson 
cotton  mills  at  Watertown,  the  limestone  was  found  in  one  place 
to  contain  in  a  cavity  about  a  gill  of  a  yellowish  oily  fluid,  which 
emitted  a  strong  bituminous  odor,  and  burned  freely.  Other  in- 
stances have  been  mentioned,  but  on  uncertain  authority,  and  in 
no  case  has  an  opportunity  occurred  of  applying  decisive  tests. 

Phlogopite.  This  mica  occurs  frequently  in  the  white  lime- 
stone, but  not  in  sufficient  quantity  or  in  plates  of  a  size  that 
give  it  interest  or  value.  It  is  found  on  an  island  in  Mill  Seat 
Lake,  in  small  quantities  and  at  a  few  localities  near  Ox  Bow. 
At  Vrooman  Lake  a  highly  crystalized  variety  occurs,  in  which 
sharply  defined  prisms  and  groups  of  crystals  are  found  in  great 
abundance.  When  these  crystals  are  cleaved,  the  plates  pre- 
sent, by  transmitted  light,  a  dove  brown  color,  but  they  are  sel- 
dom found  transparent,  of  any  considerable  size.  By  some 
strange  accident,  the  town  of  Henderson  has  been  often  quoted 
as  a  locality  of  mica.  None  can  occur  here,  as  it  is  entirely  un- 
derlaid by  Trenton  limestone.  The  white  limestone  is  seldom 
found  in  quantity  without  containing  this  mineral. 
"^Pyroxene,  is  common  in  our  primitive  rocks.  On  Grass  lake, 
in  Theresa  it  is  found  white  and  crystalized,  in  groups.  Near 
Ox  Bow,  it  has  been  found  in  small  quantities  and  near  Natural 
Bridge,  in  large  black  crystals,  with  sphene  &c.,  Coccolite  oc- 
curs in  the  same  vicinity  imbedded  in  Wollastonite,  and  rarely  in 
bowlders. 

Quartz.  This  abundant  mineral,  besides  forming  the  greatest 
proportion  of  primary  rock,  and  almost  the  sole  material  of  sand- 
stone, is  rarely  found  crystalized.  On  Butterfield  lake,  and  at 
several  localities  in  Antwerp,  it  is  found  in  crystals.  At  Natural 
Bridge,  chalcedony,  occurs  in  nodules  in  white  limestone.  Flint 
is  a  common  associate  of  the  Black  River  limestone.  Agate  in 
small  quantities  is  found  in  Wilna,  near  Natural  Bridge.  Jasper 
and  basanite,  are  very  rarely  found  as  pebbles  in  the  drift  form- 
ations. 

Scapnlile  is  rarely  found  in  detached  crystals,  imbedded  in 
white  limestone,  in  Antwerp.  Adjacent  to,  nnd  perhaps  within, 
the  town  of  Wilna,  near  Natural  Bridge,  the  variety  J^uttalliUf 


Mineral  Localitiet. 


657 


est 

kl- 

at 
ral 
Snt 

in 
per 
Im- 

in 
I'm, 
itef 


in  fused  crystals  of  a  pearly  gray  color,occurs  with  pyroxene  and 
sphene.  It  is  sometimes  massive,  and  admits  of  cleava(j;e.  A 
mineral  named  terenitey  by  Professor  Kinmons,*  and  by  him  at- 
tributed to  Antwerp,  is  since  considered  but  a  variety  of  scapolile. 
We  are  not  aware  as  it  has  been  found  by  any  one  but  himself. 
It  was  said  to  be  associated  with  calcite  and  foliated  graphite,  in 
a  vein  of  white  limestone. 

Serpentine  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  nodules,  in  white  lime- 
stone, in  Antwerp,  but  it  is  far  less  abundant  than  in  St.  Law- 
rence County.  It  is  various  shades  of  green,  and  its  weathered 
surface  becomes  white.  It  has  not  hitherto  been  found  in  this 
county  of  sutKcient  quantity  and  quality  to  be  of  economical 
value,  and  it  is  chiefly  interesting  from  thecrystaline  form  wliich 
it  sometimes  assumes.  It  is  said  to  thus  occurf  two  miles  south- 
vrest  of  Ox  Bow,  but  we  have  not  been  able  to  learn  the  precise 
locality.  A  mineral  allied  to  this,  and  named  by  Profe^oor  Em- 
mons Rensselaerite,\  but  by  later  authors  considered  steatitic 
pseudoroorph,  occurs  in  great  abundance  in  Antwerp  and  The- 
resa, where  it  assumes  colors  varying  from  white,  through  gray, 
to  black,  and  a  texture  from  finely  granular  to  coarsely  cryst al- 
ine and  cleavable.  It  has  been  made  into  inkstands  and  other 
ornaments,  and  from  the  ease  with  which  it  may  be  wrought,  and 
the  facility  with  which  it  receives  a  polish,  it  has  been  thought 
that  it  would  prove  available  as  an  ornamental  marble.  An  ex- 
tensive locality  of  the  jet  black  and  tine-grained  variety,  occurs 
on  Butlerfield  lake,  and  a  cc^oariy  was  a  few  years  since  about 
to  be  formed  for  working  it,  out  the  projector  having  been  acci- 
dentally drowned,  nothing  further  was  done.  It  is  doubtful 
whether,  from  its  softness,  this  mineral  could  be  turned  to  a  val- 
uable account  as  a  marble.  It  is  seldom  that  there  occurs  so 
wide  a  range  of  color  and  texture  as  in  this  mineral.  It  some- 
times is  crystalized  in  forms  imitative  of  scapolite,  serpentine, 
&c.^  It  was  denominated  by  Professor  Beck  steatitic  pyroxene^ 
from  its  hardness  being  like  one,  and  its  cleavage  and  crystaliza- 
tion  like  the  other. 

Specular  Iron. — The  red  oxyde  of  iron  constitutes  the  princi- 
pal ore  of  this  metal  in  Antwerp,  Philadelphia  and  Theresa, 
and  may  be  said  to  be  the  principal  ore  of  northern  New  York. 
In  geological  situation  it  is  intermediate  between  the  primary 
and  Potsdam  sandstone,  wherever  noticed  in  the  county,  and  is 
invariably  associated  with  a  brittle,  variegated  mineral,  which 
has  been  n^^ed  dysyntribite,**  but  which  recent  analysesff  indi- 


*  Assembly  Doc,    1837,   No.    161, 
p.  154. 

t  Beck's  Mineralogy  of  N.  Y.,  p.  274. 
t  Assem.  1837,  No.  161,  p.  154. 
4  Beck's  Mm.  N.  Y.,  277,  p.  397. 


♦*  Report  of  the  American  Asso- 
ciation forthe  Advancement  of  Sci- 
ence, vol.  iv,  p.  311. 

tt  American  Journal  of  Science, 
Sd  ur.,  xvi,  p.  50. 


658 


Mineral  Localities. 


cate  to  be  a  rock  of  indefinite  composition,  closely  related  to 
agalmatolite,  and  varying  much  in  its  proportions  of  alumina, 
magnesia,  lime,  and  the  alkalies.  In  the  geological  report  of 
Professor  Emmons,*  it  is  named  serpentine.  It  has  usually 
seams,  which,  when  fractured,  present  a  smooth,  glazed  and 
striated  surface,  as  is  often  seen  in  coal  shales,  as  if  the  mass  had 
been  slipped  under  heavy  pressure.  In  some  form  or  other,  this 
mineral  is  associated  with  the  ore  in  every  locality  where  the  lat- 
ter has  been  noticed  in  this  county,  St.  Lawrence  and  Lewis,  as  if 
it  were  a  necessary  associate,  and  sometimes  in  such  quantities,  as. 
to  displace  the  ore,  to  theserious  loss  of  the  miners  who  have  to  re- 
move large  masses  of  it.  Besides  this  nondescript  mineral,  specular 
ore  is  associated  with  calcite,  spathic  iron,  chalcoditc,  quartz, 
Millerite,  and,  more  rarely,  heavy  spar.  In  richness,  it  varies 
from  ten  to  fifty  per  cent,  in  the  large  way,  and  it  is  seldom 
found  to  work  well  in  the  furnace,  requiring  a  mixture  of  bog 
ores  or  limestone,  or  of  ores  of  different  quality,  to  reduce  with 
the  greatest  advantage.  At  each  mme,  there  is  a  peculiarity  of 
structure  and  association  that  enables  one  accustomed  to  ores  to 
distinguish  them  from  the  others,  with  facility-  In  Theresa,  this 
ore  was  procured  during  the  working  of  the  furnace  near  Red- 
wood in  considerable  quantity.  It  has  been  found  on  an  island 
in  Muskelunge  lake  with  heavy  spar  and  green  and  blue  mala- 
chite but  too  much  mingled  with  iron  pyrites  to  be  useful. 

In  the  edge  of  Philadelphia,  adjoining  Theresa,  and  on  farms 
owned  by  Loren  Fuller  and  Abial  Shurlliff,  there  occurs  a  body 
of  specular  iron  ore  between  the  gneiss  and  Potsdam  sandstone, 
which  has  been  used  to  the  extent  of  several  hundred  tons  at 
Carthage,  Antwerp, Redwood  and  Sterlingville.  When  wrought 
alone,  it  makes  an  iron  known  to  founders  as  cold  short,  and 
from  its  mixture  with  lime,  is  found  to  be  very  useful  as  a  flux 
in  assisting  in  the  reduction  of  other  ores.  It  occurs  of  a  reddish 
brown  color  and  shaly  texture  and  is  associated  with  calcite  in 
botryoidal  concretions,  rarely  with  crystals  of  sulphate  of  barytes 
and  abundantly  with  the  serpentine  looking  mineral.  These 
mines  have  been  traced  a  considerable  distance  but  have  been 
only  partially  wrought,  the  first  operations  having  commenced 
about  1838.  A  tribute  of  50  cents  per  ton  is  paid  for  the  privi- 
hge  of  working  these  mines  and  the  ores  are  drawn  to  Sterling- 
ville, 7  miles,  for  an  average  price  of  75  cents,  to  Carthage,  17 
miles,  for  $2,  and  to  Antwerp,  10  miles,  for  $1  per  ton.  It  is 
now  pricipally  used  as  a  flux  to  the  ore  of  the  Sterling  mine. 

The  mines  which  have  been  wrought  with  most  profit  in 
northern  New  York,  are,  the  Kearney  mine  in  the  extreme  south- 
west corner  of  Gouverneur,  and  the  mines  of  George  Parish  adja- 

*  Geology,  2d  DisUict,  p.  378,  f  c. 


Mineral  Localitiett. 


559 


}een 
icetl 
rivi- 
inc;- 
17 
[t  is 

It  in 

luth- 
Idja- 


cent,  in  Rossie.*  In  this  same  range,  about  a  mile  distant  and 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  county  line,  in  Antwerp,  and  but  a 
short  distance  from  the  line  of  the  Potsdam  and  Watertown 
Rail  Road,  there  was  discovered  in  1837,  a  deposit  of  iron  ore, 
which  has  been  wrought  by  Mr.  Parish  with  much  profit.  It  is  the 
only  mine  of  the  specular  ore  in  northern  New  York  in  which  the 
excavations  have  been  continued  beyond  the  light  of  day,  ren- 
dering lamps  necessary.  As  the  ore  descends  obliquely,  the 
overhanging  masses  of  rock  are  supported  by  huge  masses  of  ore 
left  as  pillars  at  suitable  intervals.  The  mine  has  been  drained 
by  an  adit,  and  the  thickness  of  the  stratum  at  right  angles  to  its 
plane  varies  from  six  to  thirty  feet.  Several  attempts  have  been 
made  to  reach  the  ore  by  sinking  shafts,  but  hitherto  without 
success,  and  it  is  row  raised  by  being  drawn  up  an  inclined 

Elain  by  a  rude  hi'"';e  power.  No  minerals  of  interest  have 
itherto  been  found  at  this  iron  mine.  The  ore  has  proved  of  an 
excellent  .quality,  and  has  been  exclusively  used  at  the  Rossie 
Iron  Works.  The  sandstone  here  presents  a  brecciated  appear- 
ance, which  the  author  has  no  where  else  observed,  and  is  con- 
siderably stained  with  iron.  Adjacent  to,  and  forming  a  part  of 
this,  is  the  Thompson  mine,  on  the  farm  of  Hiram  Keene,  where 
ore  was  observed  before  it  had  been  detected  on  the  adjoininjj 

Premises.  Not  being  covered  by  a  mineral  reserve,  this  mine 
ecame  the  property  of  Mr.  Keene  who  sold  his  right  to  other 
parties,  and  it  subsequently  became  a  subject  of  litigation  in  the 
county  courts  under  the  belief  that  it  was  worthless. 

In  1849  about  1000  tons  had  been  taken  from  it.  The  mine 
dips  at  an  angle  of  about  45^  below  the  sandstone.  The  ore  is 
of  a  good  quality  and  has  been  worked  both  in  furnaces  and  for- 
ges'. The  most  extensive  iron  mine  now  worked  in  the  county 
is  called  the  Sterling  Mine,  from  its  owner  James  Sterling,  in 
the  same  range  and  geological  relation  as  the  lasit.  It  was  dis- 
covered about  1836,  and  mining  operations  were  soon  after  com- 
menced and  have  been  since  continued  with  but  little  interrup- 
tion, principally  for  supplying  the  furnaces  at  Sterlingville  and 
near  Antwerp.  Lately  it  has  been  taken  to  Louisburgh  and 
these  three  furnaces  are  now  principally  supplied  by  this  mine. 
It  forms  an  island  in  a  swnmp  about  halfway  between  Antwerp 
and  Somerville  and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  east  of  the  plank  road. 
On  the  east,  the  swamp  is  bordered  by  a  ledge  of  gneiss  and  on 
the  west  by  Potsdam  sandstone,  and  the  mine  furnishes  a  greater 
variety  of  minerals  of  scientific  interest  than  any  other  in  this 
section  of  the  state.  We  have  not  been  able  to  procure  reliable 
statistics  of  the  amount  of  ore  produced  by  this  mine.  Half 
a   mile  further  south   there  was  opened   by  Mr.   Parish  the 

*  History  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin  Countiei,  p.  683. 


560 


Mineral  Localities. 


White  ore  bed  on  the  premises  of  Mr.  Guy  White,  in  August, 
1848.  It  had  been  observed  five  or  six  years  previous  on  the 
eastern  and  southern  end  of  a  knoll  capped  with  sandstone 
and  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  gneis  rock.  About  150  perch 
of  ore  had  been  raised  in  October,  1848.  It  has  since  been 
■wrought  for  the  furnace  of  Messrs.  Skinner  and  Blish  at  Wegat- 
chie.  No  mineral  associates  of  interest  have  been  observed  here. 
About  a  mile  from  the  village  of  Antwerp  and  in  a  relation  cor- 
responding with  the  others,  there  has  been  opened  within  the 
last  year  still  another  mine,  on  the  land  of  Mr.  Ward,  but  it  has 
not  been  sufficiently  explored  to  afford  a  knowledge  of  its  extent 
or  value.  There  are  thus  seven  or  eight  mines  in  a  range  includ- 
ing those  in  Philadelphit;  apparently  coeval  in  age  and  pro- 
duced by  a  common  cause,  and  it  is  in  the  highest  degree  proba- 
ble that  there  will  hereafter  be  opened  other  mines  in  this  region 
of  equal  if  not  superior  interest.  About  two  miles  from  Ox  Bow, 
in  Antwerp,  and  near  the  plank  road  to  Evans'  Mills  occurs  the 
Weeks'  ore  bed,  belonging  to  Mr.  Parish.  It  has  been  princi- 
pally used  at  Rossie  as  a  flux  and  is  considered  of  but  little  rich- 
ness by  itself.  It  has  no  mineral  associates  of  interest,  is  of  a 
dull  red  color  and  slaty  texture,  resembling  the  ore  of  Philadel- 
phia. 

Sphene  (scilecio-calcareousoxyde  of  titanium)  is  found  in  white 
limestone  with  pargasite,  in  Antwerp,  near  Ox  Bow.  It  is  of  a 
pale  red  color,  and  in  minute  quantities.  It  also  occurs  in  large, 
iinely-fornxed  and  sharply-defined  crystals,  near  Natural  Bridge. 
In  Diana,  near  the  county  line,  occurs  one  of  the  finest  localities 
of  this  mineral  known.  It  has  been  defined  as  Ledererite,  but 
is  considered  but  a  variety  of  this  mineral. 

Spinel,  of  a  pale  red  color,  and  crystals  sometimes  half  an  inch 
in  diameter,  but  usually  much  smaller,  has  been  observed  at 
Vrooman  Lake,  near  Ox  Bow,  and  four  miles  from  that  place 
towards  Theresa.  It  is  imbedded  in  white  limestone,  and  accom- 
panied with  chondrodite  in  small  quantities.  This  mineral  re- 
sembles, in  many  respects,  the  ruby  and  saphire. 

Talc  is  sometimes  noticed  in  bowlders  in  small  quantities. 

Tourmaline  is  occasionally  found  in  gneiss,  in  Antwerp  and 
Theresa,  and  is  found  occasionally  in  bowlders;  but  the  finest 
locality  in  northern  New  York  exists  on  Bald  Island,  about 
three  miles  from  Alexandria  Bay,  where  it  exists  in  huge  striat- 
ed prisms,  in  such  quantities  as  to  convey  the  belief  that  it 
would  lead  to  cOal,  and  induced  the  commencement  of  mining 
operations,  under  circumstances  that  the  slightest  acquaintance 
with  geology  would  have  discountenanced.  This  affords  but  one 
instance  among  many,  of  the  utility  of  this  science  in  directing 
exnendituips  for  minintr  in  the  ritrht  channel,  and  in  preventing 
an  outlay  for  the  attainment  of  impossibilitieB. 


I 

li 


Meteorological  Observations. 


561 


ting 
Iting 


Wad  (earthy  manganese)  has  been  noticed  in  swamps,  in 
Watertown  and  elsewhere. 

Wollastonite  (tabular  spar)  occurs  with  angite  and  coccolite, 
at  Natural  Bridge.  Delicate  fibrous  varieties  have  been  found 
in  bowlders  in  VVilna. 

Meteorological  observations  were  made  at  the  academy  in 
Belleville  during  the  years  1830-31-33-34-35-36-42-43-44, 
in  pursuance  of  the  requisition  of  the  Regents  of  the  University, 
and  these  returns  of  nine-years  constitute  the  only  observations 
of  the  kind  we  possess  in  the  county.  They  gave  the  following 
results: 


MONTHS. 


January, 

February,..  ■ 

March, 

April, 

May, 

June 

July 

August 

September,. . 

October, 

November,. . 
December, . , 


Mean, iX.ln  16.04 


THERMOMETER. 


2.5. lU 
19. 5(- 

ao.oo 

4(!.U(i 
55  01 
(i3.3(i 
08.15 
1)0.5!- 
G3.0£ 
:)l.5! 
41. Ot- 
•JO.  I( 


•W.31 
27.97 
30.24 
50.01 
38.88 
'iO.OO 
71.15 
05.80 
10.44 
16.37 
ia.74 
i5.08 


98 


—28 
-34 
—22 

14 

2 

2S 

3! 

3( 

1! 

K 
—  1 
— 3( 

-3' 


87 
92 
94 
04 
05 
72 
59 
08 
71 
04 
00 
92 

134 


BBSULTANT  OF  WINDS. 


8.  810  10' W. 

.S.51  10  W 
S.  53  38  W. 
S.49  09  W. 
S.51  00  W. 
S.59  03  W. 
S.OO  41  W. 
S.  74  27  W. 
S  53  36  W. 
S.5S  58  W, 
S.  64  44  W, 
S.45  J5  W 


8 


WEATHER,  MEAN  RES. 


6.05 

4.47 

8.31 

7.52 

11.19 

13.5:) 

10.  •?2 

9.52 

5.75 

7.83 

4.5! 

4.40 


S.59''05,W.|  20  I  7. Of 


10       11 


13.0018.00 
12.17  16.05 
14.50 10.50 
17.11 12.M) 
18.5013.50 
19. iin  10.44 
2-J.7ft  8.92 
10.0511.95 
15. ;0  14.50 
13.8917.11 

8.28  21.7; 

9.22  21.76 


1.99 
1.83 
1.'48 
1.96 
2.45 
2.48 
3.90 
2.60 
4.02 
4.0(1 
2.80 
2  12 


15.9115.14    2.55  22.99 


12 


17.83 
16.46 
13  36 
10.85 
12.03 
22.28 
26.66 
23.40 
31).  20 
30.02 
25.74 
19.08 


Highest  degree,  July  10, 1834,  and  August  5, 1839, 98".  Lowest  degree,  December  16, 1835, 
35".  Extreme  range  in  nine  years,  133».  Mean  monthly  range,,  744".  Greniest  monilily 
range,  in  March.  Least  monthly  range,  in  July.  Drient  month,  March.  AVetlvat  month 
September.    Total  fall  of  raiu  and  si\ow in  nine  years,  22  feet,  11.90  inches. 

EXPLANATIONS. 


1,  Mean  temperature,  1st  hnlf. 

2,  «  "  2d  half. 

3,  Highest  degree  observed. 

4,  Lowest        "  " 

5,  Extreme  range. 

6,  Mean  direction  of  winds. 


7,  Percentage  of  this  direction. 

8,  Dnys,-mean  direction. 

9,  Clear  days. 

10,  Cloudy  days. 

11,  Itain  gage,-tnonth]y  mean. 

12,  Total  ttiJI  o(  rain  and  snow,  in 

inches. 


This  station  is  situated  in  the  valley  of  North  Sandy  Creek; 
the  surrounding  country  is  undulating,  with  no  high  hills,  and  is 
but  little  sheltered  from  the  winds  of  the  lake,  which  probably 
influence  its  temperature  and  other  features  of  its  climate. 

The  memorable  tornado  of  September  20,  1845,  which  swept 
through  the  great  forest  of  St.  Lawrence,  Franklin  &  Clinton  coun- 
ties, originated  in  the  town  of  Antwerp,  but  did  not  begin  to  do 
much  execution  till  it  entered  the  town  of  Fowler.*  On  the  9th  of 
September  previous,  a  tornado  of  less  extent,  having  a  parallel 
course,  passed  over  Lewis  county.  The  great  tornado  was  at- 
tendet.  by  an  earthquake  on  the  north  shore  of  lake  Ontario. 

*  See  History  of  St.  Lawrence  and  Franklin  counties,  p.  698. 


•  g 


V 


tc 


ai 
to 
ca 
th 
so 


ou 

Ih 

an 
Til 

n 
th( 

the 
for 
the 
lre( 
the 


Appendix. 


563 


APPENDIX. 


Page  23. 

LETTER   OF   CHARLEVOIX. 

Father  Charlevoix,  a  Jesuit,  who  in  1720  and  1721  visited  the 
North  American  French  colonies  by  order  of  the  king  of  France, 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  duchess  de  Lesdiguieres, 
from  Hungry  Bay.  It  possesses  interest  from  its  conveying  a 
knowledge  of  our  border  a  century  and  a  third  ago.  We  have 
translated  what  relates  to  the  journey.* 

Bay  of  Famine,  I6th  May,  1721. 

"Madame:  Here  am  I,  detained  by  a  contrary  wind,  which 
may  continue  a  long  time,  and  keep  me  more  than  a  day,  in 
one  of  the  worst  places  in  the  world.  I  therefore  attempt  to  keep 
off  ennui  by  writing  to  you.  There  are  passing  here  constantly 
great  armies  of  pigeons,  which  we  name  turtles;  if  jne  of  them 
would  take  charge  of  my  letters  you  might  know  perhaps  the 
news,  befr-e  I  can  get  away;  but  the  savages  have  no  aversion 
to  dressing  these  birds  for  food,  as  do  the  Arabs  and  many  other 
people. 

1  embarked  on  the  141  h,  at  precisely  the  same  hour  that  I  had 
arrived  at  the  town  of  Catarocoui.  I  had  but  six  leagus  to  go, 
to  gain  the  Isle  aux  Chevreuils,  where  there  is  a  fine  port,  which 
can  receive  large  barques;  but  my  Canadians  had  not  visited 
their  canoe,  of  which  the  sun  had  melted  the  pitch  in  many  places, 
80  that  it  let  in  water  at  all  points,  and  we  were  compelled  to 
lose  nearly  two  hours  for  repairs,  in  one  of  the  islands  at  the 
outlet  of  lake  Ontario.  We  sailed  thence  at  ten  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  without  being  able  to  reach  Isle  au  Chevreuil, 
and  were  forced  to  spend  the  night  very  unpleasantly. 

I  noticed  here,  for  the  first  time,  the  vines  in  the  woods. 
There  were  also  small  lizards,  that  climb  to  the  tops  of  the  trees. 
I  have  not  made  this  remark  because  they  are  only  observed  in 
these  places,  for  I  am  told  they  occur  as  far  as  Mexico. 

The  vines  have  a  very  large  stock,  and  bear  many  grapes;  but 
■the  berries  are  very  small,  and  not  much  larger  than  a  pea,  and 
for  this  reason  it  is  not  worth  tilling  and  cultivating.  When  ripe, 
they  are  eaten  by  the  bears,  who  seek  them  on  the  highest 
trees.  As  for  the  birds,  they  would  soon  perform  the  vintage  of 
the  whole  forest. 

■^Kistoirs  de  la  Nouvelle  Fraaee,  4to,  F«ri»,  i.  iii,  p.  204. 


664 


Appendix. 


I  left  yesterday  at  an  early  hour,  and  at  eleven  in  the  morning 
stopped  at  the  Galloo  Islands,  three  leagues  from  Deer  Island,  at 
43^  degrees  of  latitude.  I  re-embaiked  a  little  after  noon,  and 
accomplished  a  voyage  of  a  league  and  a  half,  to  reach  Poi7it 
de  la  Traverse;  if  1  had  coasted  along  the  main  land  to  this 
place,  from  that  where  I  passed  the  night,  I  should  have  had 
more  than  forty  leagues  to  make,  and  should  have  been  obliged 
to  t^ke  this  course  had  not  the  lake  been  calm;  for  when  it  is 
agitated,  the  waves  are  as  great  as  on  the  open  sea.  It  is 
not  even  possible  to  coast  along  when  the  wind  is  blowing  off 
shore.  From  the  point  of  Galloo  Islands,  we  can  see  to  the  west 
the  river  Chouguen,  otherwise  called  the  river  of  the  Ononta- 
gue,  which  is  distant  fourteen  leagues.  As  the  lake  was  tranquil, 
with  no  appearance  of  foul  weather,  and  a  gentle  breeze  from 
the  east  was  blowing,  that  barely  filled  our  sail,  I  resolved  to 
steer  direct  for  this  river  with  the  view  of  saving  fifteen  or 
twenty  leagues  of  circuit.  My  aittendants,  more  experienced 
than  1,  deemed  the  attempt  hazardous,  but  from  complaisance 
yielded  to  my  advice.  The  beauty  of  the  country,  which  was 
passing  on  my  left,  did  not  tempt  me  any  more  than  the  salmon 
and  quantities  of  other  excellent  fish,  which  they  take  in  six 
fine  rivers,  which  are  two  or  three  leagues  from  one  another. 
We  steered  off  then  large,  and  in  four  hours  found  ourselves 
in  a  place  we  repented;  for  the  wind  arose  suddenly,  and  we 
heartily  wished  ourselves  near  the  shore.  We  turned  towards 
the  nearest,  from  which  we  were  still  three  leagues  distant, 
and  had  much  difficulty  in  reaching  it.  At  length,  at  seven 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  we  landed  in  the  Bay  of  Famine,  thus 
named  from  the  Marc  uis  de  la  Barre,  the  governor  general  cf 
New  France,  losing  nearly  all  his  army,  by  hunger  and  sickness, 
in  going  to  war  with  the  Iroquois. 

It  was  high  time  that  we  landed,  for  the  wind  was  very  strong, 
and  the  waves  so  great,  that  we  should  not  have  dared  to  pass 
the  Seine  in  Paris,  opposite  the  Louvre,  at  such  a  time.  In 
short,  this  place  is  very  proper  to  destroy  an  army,  who  could 
only  depend  upon  the  chase,  and  upon  fishing,  for  subsistence: 
besides  which  the  air  appears  very  unwholsome.  But  nothing 
is  finer  than  the  forests,  which  cover  all  the  shores  of  the  lake. 
The  white  and  red  oaks,  tower  almost  to  the  clouds;  there  is 
also  a  tree  of  the  largest  class,  of  which  the  wood  is  hard  but 
brittle,  much  resembling  that  of  the  plane  tree,  and  of  which 
the  leaves  have  five  angles,  of  the  ordinary  size,  of  a  fine  green 
above  and  whitish  beneath.  They  give  it  the  name  of  cotonnier* 
because  in  a  little  case  not  larger  than  an  India  chestnut  there 
is  contained  a  kind  of  cotton,  but  this  is  good  for  nothing. 


*  Covered  with  down  t  evidently  the  Platanus  oeddentalii,  or  button>wood. 


Appendix. 


665 


leen 
er* 
ere 


lood. 


In  walking  upon  the  shore  of  the  lake,  I  noticed  that  it  has 
sensibly  receded  here.  It  is  noticed  that  in  the  space  of  half  a 
league  in  breadth,  the  land  is  much  more  low  and  sandy  than 
beyond.  I  have  also  noticed  in  this  lake,  and  they  assure  me 
the  same  occurs  in  all  the  others,  almost  continually  a  kind  of 
ebb  and  flow:  the  rocks  which  are  near  the  bank  are  covered 
and  exposed  several  times  within  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  although 
the  surface  of  the  lake  is  very  calm,  and  there  is  no  wind. 
After  some  reflection,  I  imagine  that  this  must  come  from  springs 
that  exist  in  the  bottom  ot  the  lakes,  and  from  the  shock  of 
currents  of  rivers  which  enter  from  all  sides  and  which  cause  the 
intermittent  movements. 

But  can  you  believe,  madame,  that  at  this  season,  and  at  the 
43d  degree  of  latitude,  there  are  still  no  leaves  on  the  trees,  al- 
though we  sometimes  have  as  much  heat  as  you  have  in  July? 
This  doubtless  is  because  the  earth  has  been  covered  with  snow 
for  many  months,  and  has  not  yet  been  sufficiently  warmed  to 
open  the  pores  of  the  roots,  and  cause  the  sap  to  rise.  As  for 
the  rest,  the  Great  and  Little  Famine  scarcely  deserve  the  name 
of  rivers;  these  are  mere  brooks,  especially  the  latter,  yet  they 
abound  in  fish.  There  are  here  eagles  of  prodigious  size;  my 
people  destroyed  the  nest  of  one  that  made  a  cart  load  of  slicks, 
and  two  ycung  unfledged  eagles  which  were  as  large  as  the 
largest  turkey-hens.  They  ate  ihem  and  found  them  very  good. 
I  return  to  Cataroqui,  where,  the  night  I  spent  there,  I  was  a 
witness  to  a  very  curious  spectacle. 

About  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  as  I  was  about  to  retire, 
I  heard  a  cry  which  they  told  me  was  the  war-cry,  and  soon  af- 
ter I  saw  a  band  of  Missisagues  enter  the  fort,  singing.  For 
some  years,  these  savages  have  been  constantly  engaged  in  the 
war  which  the  Iroquois  have  carried  on  with  the  Cherokees,  a 
numerous  people  who  inhabit  a  fine  country  south  of  Lake  Erie, 
and  from  that  time,  their  young  men  have  had  uncontrollable 
itching  for  war.  Three  or  four  of  these  braves,  equipped  as  if 
for  a  masquerade,  with  faces  painted,  so  as  to  inspire  horror, 
and  followed  by  all  the  savages  who  dwell  around  the  fort,  after 
having  gone  through  all  the  cabins,  singing  their  war  songs,  to 
the  sound  of  Chickikoe  (a  kind  of  gourd  containing  little  peb- 
bles), came  to  do  the  sarae  thing  in  the  apartments  of  the  fort, 
in  honor  of  the  commandant  and  the  officers. 

I  acknowledge  to  you,  madam,  that  this  ceremony  has  in  it 
something  that  inspires  horror,  when  seen  for  the  first  time,  and 
I  had  never  before  felt  so  sensibly  as  then,  that  I  was  among 
barbarians.  Their  songs  are  always  dismal  and  gloomy,  but 
here  they  were  to  the  last  degree  horrid,  occasioned,  perhaps, 
only  by  the  darkness  of  night,  and  the  apparatus  of  their  festival, 
36 


536 


Appendix. 


k.i 


for  such  it  is  with  the  Indians.  This  invitation  was  to  the 
Iroquois,  who,  finding  the  war  with  the  Cherokees  becoming 
tedious,  required  deliberation,  and  every  one  returned  home. 

It  seems,  madam,  that  in  these  songs,  they  invoke  the  god  of 
war,  whom  the  Hurons  call  Jireskoui,  and  the  Iroquois  Jigreskoue. 
I  do  not  know  what  name  the  Algonquins  give  him;  but  is  it  not 
a  little  remarkable  that  the  Greek  word  Ap>]c  (^re«),  which  is 
Mars,  and  the  god  of  war  in  all  those  countries  which  follow  the 
theology  of  Homer,  should  be  the  root  from  whence  several  terms 
which  relate  to  war  in  the  Huron  and  Iroquois  languages  seem 
to  be  derived?  Jiregouen  signifies  to  make  war,  and  is  thus 
conjugated:  Jarego,  1  make  war;  Sarego,  you  make  war;  JiregOy 
he  makes  war.  Moreover,  Areskoui  is  not  only  the  Mars  of 
these  people,  he  is  also  the  sovereign  of  the  gods,  or,  as  they  say, 
the  Great  Spirit,  the  creator  and  master  of  the  world,  the  genius 
M'ho  governs  all  things;  but  it  is  principally  in  military  expedi- 
tions that  they  invoke  him,  as  if  the  attribute  that  does  him  most 
honor  was  that  of  the  god  of  armies.  His  name  is  the  war-cry 
before  combat,  and  in  heat  of  engagement;  in  marching  they 
often  repeat  it,  as  if  fot*  mutual  encouragement  and  to  implore 
his  assistance. 

To  raise  the  hatchet,  is  to  declare  war.  Every  person  has  the 
right  to  do  it,  and  nothing  can  be  said  against  him,  unless  it  be 
among  the  Hurons  and  Iroquois,  where  the  matrons  command 
and  prohibit  war,  as  pleases  them;  we  shall  see  how  far  their 
authority  extends  in  these  nations.  But  if  a  matron  wishes  to 
engage  any  one  who  does  not  depend  on  her,  to  raise  a  war  party 
to  appease  the  manes  of  her  husband,  son,  or  near  relation,  or  to 
procure  prisoners  to  replace  those  in  her  cabin,  of  whom  death 
or  captivity  has  deprived  her,  she  must  make  him  a  present  of  a 
belt  of  wampum,  which  invitation  is  seldom  ineffectual.  *    *   * 

Page  58. 

JOSEPH   BONAPARTE. 

The  following,  is  the  petition  that  procured  the  act  of  natural- 
ization of  Count  Survilliers.  It  is  preserved  in  French  and 
English,  in  the  Assembly  papers,  vol.  xii,  pp.  37-41,  Secretary's 
office: 

"To  the  Honorable,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  qfJVew  York: 

Joseph  Bonaparte,  Count  de  Survilliers,  respectfully  repre- 
sents: That  he  arrived  in  the  State  of  New  York  about  ten  years 
since,  and  having  the  desire  to  bring  his  family  and  fortune  to 
the  said  state,  he  made  engagements  with  some  proprietors  for 
the  purchase  of  100,000  acres  of  land:  he  paid  the  value  of  said 
lands,  but  could  not  obtain  a  title  for  them,  as  the  existing  laws 
were  opposed  to  it.    He  had,  therefore,  to  be  contented  with  a 


■«*' 


Appendix. 


667 


simple  mortgage.  Availing  himself  of  a  law  promulgated  at 
the  same  time  by  a  neighboring  state,  in  favor  of  aliens,  he  fixed 
his  residence  there,  on  lands  which  he  was  authorized  to  hold, 
leaving  New  York  after  having  remained  there  more  than  twelve 
months.  At  this  time,  he  is  obliged  by  peculiar  circumstances, 
either  to  sell  his  mortgage,  or  to  become  the  proprietor  of  the  land, 
and  persisting  in  his  desire  to  acquire  property  in  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  to  spend  there  a  part  of  the  year,  which  he 
thinks  can  not  fail  to  be  beneficial  to  the  numerous  settlers  already 
established  on  these  lands,  and  increase  their  number,  upon  the 
consideration  that  a  neighboring  government  rapidly  increases 
its  population  by  the  encouragement  given  to  aliens,  and  not  be- 
ing of  the  number  of  those  who  would  wish  to  abandon  this  land 
of  hospitality,  where  the  best  rights  of  man  prevail,  but  never- 
theless bound  to  his  own  country  by  duties  which  misfortune 
renders  more  sacred,  and  being  unable,  as  many  others  have 
done,  he  avails  himself  of  the  law  which  offers  him  the  honor- 
able and  precious  title  of  an  American  citizen;  and  presuming 
that  he  will  find  in  the  State  of  New  York,  the  same  condescen- 
sion and  kindness  he  has  met  with  in  other  states  of  the  union, 
the  subscriber  prays  the  legislature  will  grant  to  him  the  right 
to  possess  and  hold  lauds  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
(Signed)  Joseph  Bonaparte, 

Count  de  Survilliers." 

Page  84. 

THE  THOUSAND  ISLANDS. 

Several  of  the  early  travelers  describe,  in  romantic  terms,  the 
beauty  of  this  group  of  islands;  but  no  language  is  adequate 
to  convey  a  just  idea  of  the  charming  variety,  that  they  prese  n 
to  the  traveler.  The  following  extract  is  from  Weld's  Journal 
(1799),  and  gives  a  truthful  description,  due  allowance  being 
made  for  the  changes  which  cultivation  and  settlement  have 
made: 

"  About  eight  o'clock  the  next,  and  eighth  morning  of  our 
voyage,  we  entered  the  last  lake  before  you  come  to  that  of  On- 
tario, called  the  Lake  of  a  Thousand  Islands,  on  account  of  the 
multiplicity  of  them  which  it  contains.  Many  of  these  islands 
are  scarcely  larger  than  a  bateau,  and  none  of  them,  except  such 
as  are  situated  at  the  upper  and  lower  extremities  of  the  lake, 
appeared  to  me  to  contain  more  than  fifteen  English  acres  each. 
They  are  all  covered  with  wood,  even  to  the  very  smallest.  The 
trees  on  these  last  are  stunted  in  their  growth,  but  the  larger 
islands  produce  as  fine  timber  as  is  to  be  found  on  the  main  shores 
of  the  lake.  Many  of  these  islands  are  situated  so  closely  to- 
gether, that  It  would  be  easy  to  throw  a  pebble  from  one  to  the 


# 


668 


Appendix. 


other,  notwithstanding'  which  circumstance,  the  passage  between 
them  is  perfectly  safe  and  comracKlious  for  bateaux,  and  between 
some  of  them  that  are  even  thus  close  to  each  other,  is  water 
sufficient  for  a  frigate.  The  water  is  uncommonly  clear,  as  it  is 
in  every  part  of  tne  river,  from  Lake  St.  Francis  upwards:  be- 
tween that  lake  and  the  Utawas  River  downwards,  it  is  disco- 
lored, as  I  have  before  observetl,  by  passing  over  beds  of  marl. 
The  shores  of  all  these  islands  under  our  notice  are  rocky;  most 
of  them  rise  very  boldly,  and  some  exhibit  perpendicular  masses 
of  rock  towards  the  water,  upwards  of  twenty  feet  high.  The 
scenery  presented  to  view  in  sailing  between  these  islands  is 
beautiful  in  the  highest  degree.  Sometimes,  after  passing  through 
a  narrow  strait,  you  fmd  yourself  in  a  basin,  land-lockeuon  every 
side,  that  appears  to  havu  no  communication  with  the  lake,  ex- 
cept by  the  passage  through  which  you  entered;  you  are  looking 
about,  perhaps,  for  an  outlet  to  enable  you  to  proceed,  thinking 
at  last  to  see  some  little  channel  which  will  just  admit  your  ba- 
teau, when  on  a  sudden  an  expanded  sheet  of  W8t<>r  opens  upon 
joUf  whose  boundary  is  the  horizon  alone;  again  in  a  few 
minutes  you  find  yourself  land-locked,  and  again  a  spacious  pass- 
age as  suddenly  presents  itself;  at  other  times,  when  in  the  mid- 
dle of  one  of  these  basins,  between  a  cluster  of  islands,  a  dozen 
different  channels,  like  so  many  noble  rivers,  meet  the  eye,  per- 
haps equally  unexpectedly,  and  on  each  side  the  islands  appear 
regularly  retiring  till  they  sink  from  the  sight  in  the  distance. 
Every  minute,  during  the  passage  of  this  lake,  the  prospect  varies. 
The  numerous  Indian  hunting  encampments  on  the  different 
islands,  with  the  smoke  of  their  fires  rising  up  between  the  trees, 
added  considerably  to  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  as  we  passed  it. 
The  lake  of  a  Thousand  Islands  is  twenty  five  miles  in  length, 
and  about  six  in  breadth.  From  its  upper  end  to  Kingston,  at 
vihich  place  we  arrived  early  in  the  evening,  the  distance  is 
fifteen  miles. 

The  length  of  time  required  to  ascend  the  River  St.  Law- 
rence, from  Montreal  to  Kingston,  is  commonly  found  to  be  abon* 
seven  days.  If  the  wind  should  be  strong  and  very  favorable, 
the  passage  may  be  performed  in  a  less  time;  but  should  it,  on 
the  contrary,  be  adverse,  and  blow  very  strong,  the  passage  will 
be  protracted  somewhat  longer;  an  adverse  or  favorable  wind, 
however,  seldom  makes  a  difference  of  more  than  three  days  in 
the  length  of  the  passage  upwards,  as  in  each  case  it  is  necessa- 
ry to  work  the  bateau  along  by  means  of  poles  for  the  creater 
part  of  the  way.  The  passage  downwards  is  performed  m  two 
or  three  days,  according  to  the  wind.  The  current  is  so  strong, 
that  a  contrary  wind  seldom  lengthens  the  passage  in  that  direo 
tion  more  than  a  day." 


Appendix. 


669 


ill 

in 
a- 
er 
to 

g* 

:0 


The  following  lines,  by  Caleb  Lyon,  of  Lyonstdale,  nre  meri- 
torious as  a  production  of  the  fancy,  and  will  be  read  with  in- 
terest:  i 

The  Tlioiirand  lalos,  the  Thourand  Iitlei, 

Dimpled,  the  wave  around  thoni  Rinilua, 

Kissed  l>y  n  thoiiaond  red-lippod  flowers, 

CJremnicd  by  a  thoiiHand  emerald  bowers, 

A  thoiiBund  birds  their  praises  wake. 

By  rocky  ({lade  and  plumy  brake, 

A  thousand  cedars'  fra|{ant  shade 

Fall  whore  the  Indians'  children  pinyed; 

And  fancy's  dream  my  heart  beguiles, 

While  singing  thee,  the  Thousand  Isles.  ' 

No  vestal  virgin  guardii  their  groves. 
No  Cupid  breathes  of  Cypri-in  loves, 
No  Satyr's  form  at  eve  is  seen. 
No  Dryad  peeps  the  trees  between. 
No  Venus  rises  from  their  shore. 
No  loved  Adonis,  red  with  gore. 
No  pale  Endymion  wooed  to  sleep. 
No  brave  Leander  breasts  their  deep, 
No  Qanymede — no  Pleiades — 
Theirs  are  a  New  World's  memories. 

Tlie  6ag  of  France  fii-st  o'er  them  hung. 
The  muss  was  said,  the  vespers  sung. 
The  freres  of  Jesus  hailed  the  strands, 
As  blessed  Virgin  Mary's  lands ; 
And  red  men  mutely  heard,  surprised. 
Their  heathen  names  all  Christianized. 
Next  floated  a  banner  with  cross  and  crown, 
^Twas  Freedom's  eagle  plucked  it  down, 
lletaining  its  pure  and  crimson  dyes 
With  the  stare  of  thair  own,  their  native  skies. 

There  St.  Lawrence  gentlest  flows. 
There  the  south  wind  softest  blows, 
'J'here  the  lilies  whitest  bloom. 
There  the  birch  bath  leafiest  gloom, 
There  the  red  deer  feed  in  spring. 
There  doth  glitter  wood  duck's  wing, 
There  leap  the  muscalunge  at  morn. 
There  the  loon's  night  song  is  borne, 
There  is  the  fisherman's  [luradise. 
With  trolling  skifiTat  red  sunrise. 

The  Thousand  Isles,  the  Thousand  Isles, 

Their  charm  from  every  care  beguiles; 

Titian  alone  hath  grace  to  paint 

The  triumph  of  their  patron  saint. 

Whose  waves  return  on  memory's  tide, 

La  Salle  and  Piquet  side  by  side. 

Proud  Frontenac  and  bold  Champloin 

'J'here  act  their  wanderings  o'er  again ;  . 

And  while  the  golden  sunlight  smiles, 

fiigrioM  sfaali  greet  «bee,  ThouwRd  bks.     •  i 


670 


Appendix. 


Thomas  Moore,  the  Irish  poet,  early  in  the  centur) ,  traveled 
on  the  6f.  Lawrence,  and  his  Canadian  Boat  Song,  is  familiar 
to  all  admirers  of  his  writings.  The  magnificent  scenery  of  this 
noble  river,  naturuiJy  excited  the  enthusiasm  of  a  temperment 
formed  for  the  perception  of  the  beauties  which  are  so  strii^ingiy 
reflected  in  his  poetry.  The  boatmen  were  accustomed  to  beguile 
the  tedium  of  rowing  by  singing;  their  voices  being  perfectly  in 
tune  together,  and  the  whole  joining  in  the  chorus.  Of  the  effect 
of  this  he  says:  "  Without  tnat  charm  which  association  gives 
to  every  little  memorial  of  scenes  or  feelings  that  are  past, 
the  melody  may  perhaps  be  thought  common  and  trifline;  iur 
I  remember  when  we  had  entered  at  sunset  upon  one  of  ^iiosc 
beautiful  lakes,  into  which  the  St.  Lawrence  so  grandly  and  un- 
expectedly opens,  I  have  heard  this  simple  air,  with  a  pleasure 
which  the  finest  compositions  of  the  first  masters  have  never 
given  me;  and  now  there  is  not  a  note  of  it,  which  does  not 
recall  to  my  memory  the  dip  of  our  oars  in  the  St.  Lawrence, 
the  flight  of  our  boat  down  the  rapids,  and  all  those  new  and 
fanciful  impressions  to  which  my  heart  was  alive  during  the 
Yihoiie  of  this  interesting  voyage.'' 

CANADIAN  BOAT  SONG. 

.1 ..  i  egimm  cantut  Aorfufur.— Quninuuir. 

Faintly  as  tolls  the  evening  chime 
Out  voices  keep  tune,  ana  our  oors  keep  time: 
Soon  OS  the  woods  on  shore  look  dim, 
We'll  sing  at  St.  Ann's  our  parting  hymn. 
Kow,  brothers,  row,  the  stream  runs  ihst. 
The  rapids  are  near  and  the  day-iigbt'a  past. 

Why  should  we  yet  our  snil  unfurl  ? 
There  is  not  a  breath  the  bhie  wave  to  curl! 
But,  when  the  wind  blows  off  the  shore. 
Oh !  sweetly  we'll  rest  on  our  weary  onr. 
Blow,  breezes,  blow,  the  stream  runs  fast. 
The  ropids  are  near  and  the  doy-rqiht'i'  past! 

Utawa's  t>(le!  this  trembling  moon, 
Shall  see  us  float  over  thy  kur-  '■■■  '^.H' . : 
Saint  of  this  green  isle!  hear  yeit. 

Oh !  grant  us  cool  heavens  and  favoring  airs. 
Blow,  breezes,  blow,  the  stream  runs  fast. 
The  rapids  ai-e  near  and  the  day<light's  past! 

Page  94. 

FRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH  ANTWERP. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Antwerp  was  formed  in  May, 
}819,  by  Ih.  liev.  Isaac  Clinton,  at  the  hall  of  the  public  house 
kept  by  Captain  Clcwly  Copeland,  consisting  at  first  of  eight 
members.    The  first  ordained  elder  was  Ithamer  Tuttle,  and  the 


Appendix. 


671 


first  deacon  William  Rnndali.  Mr.  Clinton  preached  a  third  of  the 
time  for  a  year,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  1;<  arborri, 
from  Vermont.  After  hira,  the  Ucv.  Calviti  Wait  was  settled  as 
a  pastor,  and  remained  until  dismissed  March  9,  1823  j  and  suc- 
ceded  by  the  Rev.  James  Sandlurd  one  third  of  the  time  for  a 
Year.  In  the  summer  of  1824,  the  Hev.  Chnvlcs  G.  Finney 
labored  a  third  of  the  time  for  three  nionths,duiiii|L;  which  thirty- 
eight  were  added.  Deacon  William  Randall,  Dr.  Hiram  Murdock, 
and  Archibald  Whitford,  were  in  this  time  installed  elders.  In 
February,  1826,  the  church  numbered  fifty-six  adults  in  commu- 
nion, and  in  this  year  began  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  R.  R.  Dem- 
ming,  for  one  year.    In  1830,  they  were  supplied  by  the  Rev.  J. 

D.  P .   In  January,  1832,  the  Rev.  Abel  L.  Cramlall  began 

labors  as  a  stated  supply  and  remained  three  }  ear»,  in  which  time 
fifty -eight  were  added.  In  1835,  Rev.  Henry  Jones,  one  year. 
L.A.Wicks  succeeded,  and  staidfive  years,  durii  ^  which  the  church 
prospered  greatly.  Several  had  previously  joined  the  Mormons, 
and  the  church  numbered  114  when  became.  It  increased  128;  41 
had  died,  or  were  cutoff,  and  when  he  left  201  ren  aincd.  Rev.  H. 
H.  Waite  began  labors  in  the  fall  of  1841;  was  ordained 
and  installed  March  9,  1842,  and  remained  till  lb45,  when  Rev. 
J.  Thompson  preached  nearly  a  year.  In  1843,  ti7  were  added. 
In  1847,  the  Rev.  S.  Williams,  and  in  May,  I84;i,  Rev.  C.  B. 
Pond,  the  present  pastor  began  his  labors.  January  29,  1849, 
the  church  became  Congregational.  About  350  have  been  re- 
ceived, and  its  present  number  is  about  100.  The  cimrch  edifice, 
built  in  1861,  cost  $3'600.—Rev.  C.  B.  Pond. 

Page  95. 

ASSOCIATE  REFORMEU  CHURCH,  OX  BOW. 

The  following  notice  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Thurch  of 
Ox  Bow,  was  received  too  late  for  insertion  in  its  pro[  er  place: 

"  The  first  church  in  this  village  was  organized  nder  the 
General  Assembly,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1820.  The  mem- 
bership consisted  chiefly  of  persons  from  the  south  of  Scotland, 
who  had  settled  here  in  1818-19,  and  numbered  about  40. 
Their  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sandford,  from  the  Eastern 
States,  who  continued  with  them  until  1830.  Mr.  Sandford 
afterwards  labored  for  a  time  in  the  east,  and  again  returned  to 
Ox  Bow,  where  he  still  resides  on  a  small  farm  of  his  own,  en- 
joying a  calm  sun-set  on  the  Bend  of  the  Oswegatchie.  For  seven 
years  subsequent  to  IS.'^O,  this  society  was  ministered  to  succes- 
sively by  the  Rev.  An^ssrs.  McGregor,  Stowell,  Nicol,  and  others. 
The  doctrine  and  qualifications  of  several  of  the  unmentioned  ones 
did  not  by  any  ineaiis  meet  the  religious  views  and  desires  of  tb« 


572 


Appendix. 


large  majority  of  the  congregation,  who  accordingly  left  the  As- 
sembly and  came  under  the  wing  of  the  Associated  Reformed,  or 
United  Presbyterian  body  in  1837.  The  Rev.  Mr.  White  was 
the  first  who  labored  among  them  in  their  new  connection;  he 
continued  a  little  over  a  year.  About  this  time,  1838,  the 
present  church  edifice  was  built,  at  a  cost  of  $2,500.  Next  came 
the  late  Rev.  Alexander  Proudfit,  of  Salem,  N.  Y. ;  jvho  supplied  the 
greater  part  of  a  year.  Next  came  Rev.  James  Williamson,  who 
remained  as  stated  supply  upwards  of  ten  years;  after  him 
several  successive  probationers;  and,  lastly,  the  present  incumbent, 
Rev.  J.  S.  Cowper,  their  first  settled  pastor  since  they  left  the 
Genearl  Assembly  in  1837,  that  being  previous  to  the  division 
of  that  body  into  old  and  new  schools. 

Mr.  C.  was  born  in  Scotland,  and  educated  in  Schenectady, 
Newburgh  and  Edinburgh,  commenced  his  labors  on  the  first 
Sabbath  of  January,  1852,  the  membership  was  then  about  100; 
it  is  now  about  160. 

The  sum  raised  last  year  for  missionary  purposes  amounted  to 
upwards  of  $220. 

There  are  four  Sabbath  schools  in  the  bounds  of  the  congrega- 
tion, with  an  average  attendance  of  fifty  in  each;  there  is  also  a 
Bible  class." 

Page  122. 

The  initials  near  the  bottom  of  this  page  might  lead  the  rea- 
der to  erroneously  infer,  that  they  were  intended  for  Mr.  Wright, 
which  they  were  not.  The  surveyor  here  alluded  to  still  resides 
in  Oneida  County. 

Page  169. 

SECOND   BAPTIST  CHUKCH  OF  HENDERSON. 

.  This  was  formed  January  1,  1820  of  66  members.  Total 
number,  380;  present  number,  64.  The  clergy  have  been  Emory 
Osgood,  Elisha  Morgan,  Jesse  Elliot,  H.  Chase,  Russell  Hervey, 
Alba  Wedge,  D.  D.  Read,  John  Wilder,  Elisha  Sawyer,  Alba 
Cole,  Joseph  R.  Johnson,  and  John  F.  Bishop.  The  first  church 
erected  in  1823,  cost  $1,800;  the  one  recently  built,  $2,800. 

Page  228. 

RODMAN. 

The  clerk  of  the  Assembly,  in  the  session  of  1808,  when  the 
present  name  of  this  town  was  adopted,  was  Daniel  Rodman,  in 
compliment  of  whom,  in  much  probability,  the  name  was  given. 


Appendix. 


673 


n. 


Page  270. 

JASON  FAIRBANKS. 

Mr.  Fairbanks  is  a  son  of  Samuel  Fairbanks,  who  was  an  offi- 
cer of  the  revolution,  and  afterwards  commanded  a  company 
sent  to  suppress  Shays'  rebellion.  The  subject  of  this  note  was 
born  in  1785,  in  Mendon,  Mass.,  and  at  thirteen  went  to  Boston, 
where  he  remained  a  year  with  Forbes  &  King,  and  then  bound 
himself  as  an  apprentice  to  the  saddle  and  harness  business,  with 
James  Bragg,  with  whom,  in  1802,  he  removed  to  Newport,  N. 
Y.  In  1807,  he  was  sent  by  Mr.  Bragg  into  western  New  York 
on  business,  and  with  the  motive  of  selecting  a  place  to  settle. 
Remoteness  from  markets,  seemed  to  promise  slender  prospects 
of  growth  to  that  section,  and  he  resolved  upon  removing  to  Og- 
densburgh,  where  natural  advantages  seemed  to  promise  future 
prosperity,  but,  the  embargo  temporarily  checking  business,  he 
visited  Watertown  in  June,  1808,  where  the  county  buildings 
were  about  being  erected,  and  the  central  location,  water  power, 
and  fertility  of  the  surrounding  country,  presented  a  cheerful  pro- 
spect to  the  enterprising  artizan.  There  were  then  but  five  framed 
buildings  in  the  village.  He  accordingly  removed,  September  1, 
1808,  and  the  next  day  opened  a  saddle  and  harness  shop  in  com- 
pany with  Calvin  McKnight,and  continued  that  business  44  years. 
In  1810,  he  added  shoe-making  and  tanning  to  his  business,  and 
continued  them  on  an  extensive  scale  42  years,  and  was  for 
many  years  connected  with  the  business  of  carriage  making  and 
merchandise.  In  the  course  of  these  extensive  mechanical  opera- 
tions, he  had  more  than  500  apprentices,  365  of  whom  served 
out  their  time;  and  of  this  number  at  least  350  proved  to  be  re- 
spectable citizens. 

The  responsibility  resting  upon  employers,  in  forming  regular 
and  correct  business  habits  in  apprentices,  is  universally  acknow- 
ledged; and  the  indolence,  want  of  thrift,  and  intemperance,  too 
often  seen  among  mechanics,  may  frequently  be  traced  to  the  vi- 
cious examples  and  temptations  thrown  around  them,  in  the  shops 
where  they  acquired  their  trades.  Mr.  F.  seldom  had  his  appren- 
tices indented,  and  always  gave  them,  each  year,  a  certain  amount, 
for  clothing  and  pocket  money,  and  while  he  taught  them  a  good 
trade,  he  labored  to  impress  upon  their  minds,  that  a  boy  who 
had  not  integrity  enough  to  perform  his  bargain,  was  not  worth 
keeping.  Another  rule  which  he  established  on  the  day  he  first 
opened  shop,  and  maintained  through  the  whole  period,  was, 
that  no  intoxicating  liquors,  should  be  used  or  brought  in. 
This  rule  was  seldom  violated,  and  he  was  led  to  its  adoption, 
from  the  circumstance  that  when  he  first  began  his  apprentice- 


674 


Appendix. 


ship,  being  the  youngest  in  a  shop  where  three  different  branches 
of  business  were  carried  on,  he  was  required  to  run  half  the  time 
for  rum  and  water. 

By  a  vory  natural  train  of  reasoning,  he  inferred,  that  so  much 
loss  of  time  was  alike  destructive  to  morals  and  a  bar  to  success 
business;  and,  while  still  a  boy,  he  formed  the  resolution. 


in 


which  he  ever  after  maintained.  To  this  regulation,  is  his  suc- 
cess in  the  training  of  apprentices,  to  a  great  degree  due.  He 
had  usually  about  twenty  at  a  time,  in  the  different  departments 
of  his  business,  more  than  half  of  whom  were  orphans,  and  hav- 
ing ten  boys  offered,  to  one  that  could  be  taken,  he  felt  it  a  duty  to 
give  preference  to  those  who  had  no  natural  protectors. 

When  their  times  had  expired  he  freely  assisted  them  in  start- 
ing in  business  for  themselves,  by  some  of  whom  he  lost,  while 
others  were  quite  successful.  For  morethanthitty  years  Mr.Fair- 
banks  employed  over  one  hundred  persons,  and  one-half  of  them 
men  of  families.  He  presumes  he  has  fed  and  clothed  full  two 
hundred  persons  for  forty-four  years,  besides  giving  three  hundred 
and  sixty-five  boys  good  trades. 

In  a  recent  communication  to  the  author,  concerning  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  and  Mr.  Keyes  lynched  from  Whittlesey  the 
secrets  of  his  robbery,  related  in  the  text,  and  other  subjects,  he 
says:  "  Before  we  executed  it,  we  had  positive  evidence  of  his 
knowledge  of  the  transaction,  and  of  his  guilt;  and  on  the 
strength  of  that,  we  did  not  mean  to  proceed  to  extremities, 
farther  than  to  frighten  him  until  he  informed  us  where  the  mo- 
ney was  secreted;  but  his  stubbornness  held  out  much  longer 
than  we  supposed  it  would  or  could.  When  we  put  the  evidence 
of  his  guilt  befoie  him,  in  such  a  plain  manner,  his  looks  were 
evidence  of  it.  W^e  informed  him  that  there  was  no  doubt 
about  it;  and  I  believe  that  there  is  not  one  case  in  a  thousand, 
where  evidence  was  so  palpable  as  in  this  case;  but  Lynch  law 
is  a  dangerous  one,  and  I  would  not  advise  it.  But  with  other 
guilty  parties,  who  have  stolen  from  me  and  have  been  detected, 
I  believe  I  have  used  more  mild  and  lenient  measures.  I  have  pro- 
bably caught  twenty  persons  pilfering  property  from  me,  and  I 
have  always  made  them  give  a  confession,  in  writing,  and  then 
promised  them,  that  as  they  had  relations  who  would  be  disgraced 
bv  their  bad  conduct,  and  a  punishment  to  them,  that  I  would 
keep  it  a  profound  secret,  until  they  committed  the  crime  again; 
I  would  then  prosecute  them.  J  found  this  plan  the  surest  me- 
thod of  reforming  them." 

The  following  anecdote  is  related  under  such  circumstances, 
as  leave  no  doubt  of  its  correctness,  proving  that  the  indulgence 
of  humor  is  not  inconsistent  with  the  administration  of  justice, 
and  that  the  attributes  personified  in  classic  mythology  might 


Appendix. 


bib 


;  me- 


« 


be  simplitied,  by  combining  the  characters  of  Momus  and  Rhad- 
amanthus. 

While  Mr.  Fairbanks  was  sheriff,  he  on  one  occasion  in  win- 
ter returned  to  his  office  at  a  late  hour  in  the  night,  and  while 
engaged  in  writing,  he  heard,  in  the  back  yard,  the  creaking 
sound,  which,  in  intensely  cold  weather,  is  given  by  beaten  snow 
when  trodden.  Stepping  to  a  darkened  window,  he  noticed,  in 
the  clear,  frosty  moonlight,  a  man  loading  a  hand  sled  with  wood 
from  his  pile.  He  quietly  took  down  a  heavy  black  whip,  and 
repairing  to  the  yard  saluted  his  midnight  visitor,  by  enquiring 
how  many  loads  he  had  borrowed,  and  whether  he  was  using 
them  all  alike.  The  confusion  which  this  detection  occasioned 
was  extreme,  and  the  man  begged  to  be  released,  acknowledging 
that  he  had  taken  several  loads  from  this  pile,  and  from  those  of 

Mr. ,  Mrs. ,  &c.    Finding  that,  in  this  levy,  he  had 

not  been  governed  by  the  official  rate  bill  of  the  town  collector, 
having  taken  from  widows  and  those  in  humble  life,  and  passed 
the  more  wealthy,  he  compelled  him  to  finish  this  load,  upon  the 
top  of  which  he  mounted,  and  using  ihe  whip  instead  of  the 
reins,  drove  to  the  house  of  one  whose  ability  to  pay  this  tax 
was  limited.  He  then  drove  back  to  his  own  pile,  and  subse- 
quently to  others,  always  riding,  whether  full  or  empty,  and 
spent  a  considerable  part  of  the  night  in  equalizing  the  assess- 
ment. Towards  morning,  having  taken  his  customary  receipt 
from  the  team,  he  dismissed  him,  and  the  next  day  explained  to 
his  neighbors  the  cause  of  the  differences  that  they  had  noticed 
in  their  woodpiles. 

While  sheriff,  in  1821,  having  noticed,  in  a  Philadelphia 
paper,  that  Pennsylvania  had  produced  a  grand  jury  whose 
average  weight  was  200  pounds,  he  availed  himself  of  the 
privilege,  which  the  law  then  gave,  for  selecting,  at  his  own 
discretion,  this  jury,  and  assembled  one  in  Jefferson  County, 
which  lacked  but  180  pounds  of  containing  three  tons,  of  re- 
spectability and  character  personified  by  twenty-four  grand  jury- 
men. These,  with  the  officers  of  the  court  (most  of  whom  hap- 
pened to  be  spare  men),  were  feasted  by  the  sheriff,  and  much  mer- 
riment was  occasioned  by  the  contrast  of  the  "lean  court  and  fat  ju- 
ry." The  names  of  this  jury  were  sought  but  not  found  in  the 
clerk's  office.  One  kept  by  Mr.  Fairbanks,  was,  with  a  list  of  his 
apprentices,  and  other  papers,  lost  in  the  great  fire  of  1849.  Mr. 
Fairbanks  was  deputy  United  States  marshall  twenty-five  years, 
sheriff  six  years,  and  county  treasurer  twelve  years.  He  has  suf- 
fered repeatedly  from  fires,  by  which  he  has  experienced  a  loss  of 
$25,000.  At  the  age  of  68,  he  enjoys  fine  health,  which  is  due 
to  diet  and  exercise.  He  rises  at  five  o'clock  in  winter,  and 
four  in  summer:  rides  on  horseback  from  two  to  five  miks,  or 


676 


Appendix. 


walks  one  mile,  every  morning,  and  seldom  sleeps  more  than  five 
hours  in  the  twenty-tour.  As  Dr.  Franklin  has  said  that,  *'  three 
removes  are  as  bad  as  a  fire,"  he  has  evinced  little  inclination 
for  change,  and  has  resided  thirty-eight  years  in  the  same  house. 

Page  327. 

THE  CLAIMS  OF  WILLIAM  DEWEY. 

This  gentleman's  zeal  in  directing  public  attention  to  the  im- 

{xutance  of  the  rail  road,  at  a  time  when  it  had  lost  its  interest,  and 
lad  been  in  a  measure  forgotten,  occasioned  a  meeting  of  young 
men  in  the  village  of  Watertown,  May  20, 1853,  at  which  B.  F. 
Stillman,  James  F.  Starbuck,  Charles  D.  Wright,  George  S. 
Goodale  and  James  R.  A.  Perkins,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  ex- 
press their  sense  of  obligation  to  him  for  his  labors,  and  present 
a  gold  watch  as  a  testimonial  of  respect. 

Page  388. 

KEPORT   OF  COMMITTEE   IN  ASSEMBLY,   FOR  A  TAX  UPON  THE  COUNTY, 
FOR   THE   BENEFIT   OF   ELLISBURGH  ACADEMY. 

"  That  it  is  in  contemplation  by  the  petitioners,  provided  suffi- 
cient aid  can  be  obtained,  to  establish  the  manual  labor  system 
at  Union  Academy,  in  addition  to  the  other  branches  of  education 
now  taught  there.  Your  committee  have  taken  some  pains  to 
examine  the  subject,  and  bring  into  view  the  various  advantages 
that  are  expected  to  result  from  such  an  important  combination 
as  learning  and  labor.  It  is  a  general  evil,  and  becoming  daily 
more  prevalent,  that  the  young  men  who  attend  our  academic 
institutions,  are  very  apt  to  shake  off  previously  acquired  habits 
of  industry,  and  by  those  seductive  arts  that  much  leisure  afford, 
run  riot  in  indolence,  and  contract  positive  evils  that  will  stick 
by  them  through  life,  thereby  impairing,  and  perhaps  destroying 
their  usefulness  as  members  of  society.  If,  whilst  our  young 
men  are  learning  the  theoretic  branches  of  science,  they  can  also 
exercise  their  talents  in  a  practical  manner  during  relaxation 
from  study,  it  is  confidently  believed,  that  not  only  their  health 
will  be  promoted,  but  that  their  services  in  community  as  practi- 
cal men,  will  be  correspondingly  enhanced.  In  this  age  of  phi- 
lanthropy, much  is  doing  for  the  amelioration  of  the  human 
family.  A  judicious  system  of  education  is  the  grand  lever  by 
which  we  are  to  sustain  those  immutable  principles,  justice  and 
equality,  engrafted  on  our  flourishing  republic  by  practical  men. 
It  is  our  sacred  duty  to  foster  education  and  industry,  and  when 
we  are  assured  that  in  Switzerland  the  manual  labor  system  is 
flourishing  under  the  most  favorable  asupices,  our  beloved  coun- 

*  Assembly  DocumentB,  1831,  vol.  ii'i,,  No.  203. 


>4 


Appendix. 


677 


try  ought  not  to  be  behind  in  the  pleasing  employment  of  giving 
fftcilities  to  the  poor  and  industrious  young  men  of  our  state, 
thereby  enabling  them  to  sustain  situations  in  life  which  they 
otherwise  could  not  do,  because  the  avail  of  their  labor  at  such 
institutions,  during  vacation  from  study,  go  to  defray  the  expen- 
ses of  that  study.  All  distinction  is  here  abolished;  the  rich 
and  the  poor  young  man  is  subjected  to  the  same  labor  and  re- 
strictions, and  that  foolish  pride  of  superiority,  so  foreign  to 
republicans,  melts  away  under  the  influence  of  such  an  equal 
state  of  things.  Your  committee  agree  with  the  petitioners,  that 
legislative  aid  may  be  properly  extended  to  such  an  institution, 
and  therefore  ask  leave  to  introduce  a  bill." 

Page  479. 

BRIGADIER  GENERAL  Z.  M.  PIKE. 

The  following  notice  of  this  worthy  officer,  who  fell  in  the 
attack  upon  York,  is  prepared  from  a  more  extended  article  that 
was  published  soon  alter  his  death.  Through  the  munificence  of 
our  government,  his  memory  has  been  honored  by  a  monument 
at  Sackets  Harbor,*  that  formerly  bore  his  name,  with  those  of 
Covington,  Backus,  Mills,  and  many  others. 

Zebulon  Montgomery  Pike  w^as  born  at  Lamberton,  N.  J. 
January  5, 1779,  at  an  early  day  received  a  commission,  became 
familiar  with  military  life,  and  warmly  attached  to  the  service. 
Feeling  the  want  of  an  education,  he  applied  himself  to  the  task 
of  self  culture,  and  without  the  aid  of  teachers  acquired  a  lair 
classical  and  general  education.  He  cherished  from  an  early 
period  a  habit  of  mental  discipline,  and  the  tenor  of  his  thoughts 
may  be  inferred  from  a  memorandum  written  by  him,  on  a  blank 
page  of  a  favorite  volume. 

"  Should  my  country  call  for  the  sacrifice  of  that  life  which 
has  been  devoted  to  her  service  from  early  youth,  most  willingly 
shall  she  receive  it.  The  sod  which  covers  the  brave,  shall  be 
moistened  by  the  tears  of  love  and  friendship:  but  if  T  fail  far 
from  my  friends,  and  from  you,  my  Clara,  remember, — that  *  the 
choicest  tears  which  are  ever  shed,  are  those  that  bedew  the  un- 
buried  head  of  a  soldier,'  and  when  these  eyes  shall  meet  the 
eyes  of  our  young let  the  pages  of  this  little  book  be  im- 
pressed on  his  mind,  as  the  gift  of  a  father  who  had  nothing  to 
bequeath  but  his  honor,  and  let  these  maxims  be  ever  present  to 
his  mind,  as  he  rises  form  youth  to  manhood: — 

1.  Preserve  your  honor  free  from  hlemish. 

2.  Be  always  ready  to  die  for  your  country.'* 

In  1805,  Pike  was  selected  by  government  tc  explore  the 


*  Of  pine  boards,  sow  nearly  rotten  and  thrown  dov/n,  p.  1S2. — Author, 


578 


Appendix. 


sourcfc  of  the  Mississippi  in  the  newly  acquired  territory  of  Louis- 
iana, and  the  following  year,  was  sent  for  a  similar  purpose  into 
the  interior  of  Louisiana.  On  the  occurrence  of  the  war,  he  was 
stationed  on  the  northern  frontier,  and  early  in  1813,  was  pro- 
moted to  a  Brigadier  General.  Having  spent  a  portion  of  ihe 
winter  of  18 12-3,  at  Plattsburgh,  he  was  ordered  to  join  General 
Dearborn  at  Sackets  Harbor,  to  which  place  he  inarched  by  the 
inland  rou^e  through  St.  Lawrence  County  toward  spring.  The 
sentiment  of  a  letter  written  to  his  father  near  Cincinnati  on  the 
day  before  he  sailed  on  the  expedition,  is  expressive  of  the  finest 
sentiments  of  patriotism  and  honor. 

"  I  embark  to-morrow  in  the  fleet  at  Sackets  Harbor,  at  the 
head  of  a  column  of  1500  choice  troops,  on  a  secret  expedition. 
If  success  attends  ray  steps,  honor  and  glory  await  ray  name;  if 
defeat,  still  shall  it  be  said:  We  died  like  brave  men;  and  con- 
ferred honor,  even  in  death,  on  the  American  name. 

Should  I  be  the  happy  raortal,  destined  to  turn  the  scale  of 
war,  will  you  not  rejoice,  O  My  Father!  May  Heaven  be  pro- 
pitious, and  smile  on  the  cause  of  ray  country.  But  if  wc  are 
destined  to  fall,  may  ray  fall  be  like  Wolfe's — to  sleep  in  the 
arms  of  victory." 

A  thirst  for  railitary  adventure  must  be  distinguished  from 
patriotism,  and  in  forraing  an  estimate  of  the  merits  of  character, 
and  in  examining  the  motives  which  actuated  th«>  conduct  and 
guided  the  life  of  General  Pike,  we  can  not  withhold  from  him 
the  credit  of  being  influenced  by  the  latter.  It  is  upon  those, 
governed  by  sentiments  expressed  in  the  above  extracts,  that  our 
country  must  depend  for  defence  against  foreign  aggression  and 
domestic  commotion,  and  without  which  our  liberties  are  but  an 
empty  name,  and  liable  to  be  seized  upon  by  ambitious  despots 
or  intriguing  demagogues.  It  is  a  stain  upon  our  national  chan* 
acter,  that  our  government  allows  the  graves  of  the  officers  who 
fell  on  our  northern  frontier  during  the  war,  to  remain  unnoted 
by  any  monument,  or  other  memorial  of  acknowledgment  of 
their  merit;  not  even  by  a  tablet,  which  our  humblest  citizens 
afford  as  a  token  of  affection  to  the  memory  of  their  dead. 

Page  462. 

The  following  interesting  letters  from  the  correspondence  of 
General  Brown  relate  to  events  connected  with  the  county,  in 
early  part  of  the  campaign  of  18 12,  and  will  be  read  with  in- 
terest: 


' 


.^ 


Appendix* 


679 


an 

)OtS 

lar- 
^ho 
}ted 
of 
sens 


J  of 
,  in 
in- 


GOVERNOR  TOMPKINS  TO  GENERAL  BROWN. 

Albany,  June  23,  1812. 

Sir:  War  is  declared  between  the  United  Kingdoms  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  and  its  dependencies,  and  the  United  States 
of  America  and  the  territories  thereof.  This  event  will  call 
forth  the  energies  of  every  friend  of  his  country,  and  more 
especially  of  those  officers  who  are  assigned  to  command  the 
military  forces.  You  will  have  received  the  General  Order 
assigning  you  to  the  command  of  one  of  the  brigades  detached 
from  the  militia  of  this  State,  in  anticipation  of  the  event  which 
is  now  announced.  Our  militia  law  makes  provision  for  calling 
out  the  brigade  you  now  command,  in  case  of  invasion,  and  you 
are  hereby  empowered  to  leinforce  Col.  Bellinger  with  the  mili- 
tia detachment  from  Jefferson,  Lewis  and  St.  Lawrence  Counties, 
and  to  arm  them  and  equip  them  at  the  State  Arsenals  at  Russell 
and  at  Watertown,  if  in  your  opinion  the  safety  of  the  in- 
habitants, or  any  important  object  to  be  accomplished  shall  re- 
quire it.  I  place  much  reliance  on  your  abilities  and  valor  in 
protecting  our  frontier  inhabitants  until  the  arrival  of  further 
troops  and  supplies,  which  will  be  forwarded  with  the  utmost 
practicable  expedition. 

I  am  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 

Gen,  Jacob  Brown, 

P.  S.  Let  Col.  Benedict  turn  out  with  the  St.  Lawrence  de-. 
tachment  immediately,  to  guard  the  frontier  from  Ogdensburgh 
to  St.  Regis.    Station  them  as  may  be  best  calculated  for  that 
purpose.    They  may  arm  from  the  Russell  Arsenal. 

general   brown  to   governor  TOMPKINS. 

Brownville,  June  25,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  Your  order  of  the  23d  instant  was  delivered  me 
this  day  about  10  o'clock.  For  this  additional  proof  of  your 
confidence  in  assigning  to  me  the  command  of  a  brigade,  you 
have  my  earnest  acknowledgments.  I  humbly  pray  God  that  I 
may  do  my  duty.  This  county  must  be  sacrificed,  provided  it 
should  be  assailed  by  the  force  now  in  Kingston,  unless  we  are 
provided  with  the  means  of  defence.  We  will  try  to  keep  them 
at  bay  until  the  necessary  supplies  arrive,  which  may  Heaven 
and  our  country  grant  speedily. 

I  am,  &c.,  Jacob  Brown. 

His  Excellency,  D.  D.  Tompkins. 


%:. 


580 


Appendix. 


cJ'jf 


Bkownville,  June  26,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  In  the  course  of  yesterday  ami  last  night  \  ascer- 
tained, ns  I  am  induced  to  believe,  that  the  news  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  War  against  Great  Britain,  had  not  been  received  at 
Kingston,  and  by  my  express  I  ordered  the  officer  at  Cape  Vin- 
cent to  prevent  all  passing,  and,  if  possible,  all  communication. 
Perhaps  we  can  keep  the  news  from  this  post  a  day  or  two. 

Within  one  hour  after  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Whigton,  I  had  ex- 
presses on  their  way  to  every  Colonel  in  the  counties  of  Lewis, 
JelFerson  and  St.  Lawrence,  excepting  Col.  Cox,  and  iiis  orders 
I  sent  by  Whigton.  The  men  of  tliis  county  are  now  assembling; 
in  the  course  of  to-day  and  next  duy  I  trust  that  I  shall  have 
them  at  Sackets  Harbor.  Those  from  the  county  of  licwis  shall 
be  on  with  all  possible  speed,  and  Col.  Benedict  has  the  neces- 
sary orders  for  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  I  know  that  he 
is  of  the  stutfto  do  his  duty.  Our  situation  as  to  arms  and  am- 
munition will  be  explained  to  you  by  Mr.  Whigton;  it  will  be 
concealed  from  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible.  We  rely  with 
confidence  that  our  country  will  supply  us  with  the  means  of 
defence  without  any  delay.  I  assure  every  one  that  wagons  in 
great  numbers  are  on  the  way  "with  munitions  of  war  in  great 
abundance. 

I  observe  that  Col.  Bellinger  was  not  advised  by  your  Excel- 
lency of  my  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  a  brigade.  I 
humbly  submit  to  your  Excellency  if  it  would  not  be  proper  that 
it  should  be  done.  My  opinion  is  that  a  strong  detachment 
should  at  once  be  marched  on  to  Cape  Vincent,  directly  opposite 
to  Kingston.  A  force  from  Cape  Vincent  and  Ogdensburgh  can 
be  concentrated  at  any  time  by  the  aid  of  boats  in  24  hours. 
From  Sackets  Harbor  they  can  not  advance  with  so  much  certain- 
ty or  facility;  at  the  same  time  a  respectable  force  should  be 
kept  up  at  Sackets  Harbor. 

Your  Excellency  will  bear  in  mind  that  this  is  a  very  new 
country;  that  the  population  is  light  and  generally  poor,  though 
very  respectable  for  so  pew  a  country,  and  that  if  any  more  men 
are  called  from  their  homes,  the  crops  which  now  promise  a  very 
abundant  harvest,  must  perish  on  the  ground.  I  mention  this  to 
your  Excellency  as  the  country  expects  it  at  ray  hands,  and  much 
more  than  my  feeble  abilities  can  accomplish:  but  no  considera- 
tion of  this  nature  shall  deter  me  for  a  moment  from  calling  out 
every  man  in  the  country  if  its  defence  requires  it,  though  I  must 
for  the  present  hope  that  the  force  coming  on  will  render  such  a 
measure  unnecessary.  I  pray  God  that  our  Government  will  act 
with  that  decision  and  energy  which  becomes  a  gallant  people. 
I  am  respectfully  and  humbly  yours, 

Jacob  Brown. 


» 


Appendix. 


581 


act 
)le. 


P.  S.  I  pray  your  Excellency  lo  give  Col.  Gursham  Tuttle 
the  command  of  a  regiment  if  it  has  not  been  done,  and  your 
Excellency  can  consider  it  for  the  good  of  the  service. 
His  Excellency  D.  D.  Tompkins. 

Brownvii.e,  June  29,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  Being  solicitous  to  know  with  certainty  the  state 
of  the  preparations  designed  for  the  safety  of  this  county,  I  have 
dispatched  Hart  Massey,  Esq.,  for  that  purpose — he  being  a  man 
in  whom  you  can  place  confidence.  Being  deeply  impressed 
with  the  weight  of  responsibility  that  rests  upon  me,  I  am  so- 
licitous, among  other  things,  that  your  Excellency  will  give  me 
all  the  aid  by  instructions  that  the  nature  of  my  situation  will 
admit.  1  almost  assure  myself  that  the  munitions  of  war  arc  at 
hand  so  as  to  enable  the  inhabitants  of  this  county  to  sell  their 
lives,  if  they  are  to  be  lost;  but  this  is  a  subject  of  so  much  mo> 
ment  that  1  can  not  rest  until  the  people  actually  have  arms  and 
ammunition.  Many  families  are  pressing  on  towards  the  old 
settlements,  and  unless  we  are  immediately  supplied  lean  not  say 
to  what  extent  this  disgrace  will  extend.  Your  Excellency  will 
probably  be  surprised  at  this  intelligence.  I  am  loth  to  state 
it,  and  my  soul  sickens  to  see  a  gallant  people  thus  situated. 

Many  of  the  guns  frcm  the  arsenal  are  in  the  most  wretched^^- 
condition,  and  many  more  totally  unfit  for  use.    What  powderl^ij* 
we  have — which  by  the  way  is  very  little — is  not  fit  for  such  a      *  y 
business  as  we  are  engaged  in,  or  for  any  other  but  to  makc,^ 
squibs.  ^^^ 

War  is  not  only  declared,  but  actually  commenced  along  this 
border.  Some  of  our  people,  without  orders,  and  in  fact  without 
consulting  with  any  person  in  the  service,  captured  the  little 
garrison  on  Carlton  Island,  and  the  prisoners  are  now  on  their 
way  to  Sackets  Harbor.  For  the  particulars,  I  must  refer  you  to 
Mr.  Massey  who  knows  whatever  hafj  transpired  in  the  county. 

I  am  very  much  in  want  of  Col.  Stone,  and  all  the  other  offi- 
cers who  are  detached  for  my  brigade.  Until  the  return  of  my 
brother  from  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence,  last  evening,  I  had  no 
person  near  me  on  whom  I  could  with  safety  call. 

There  is  much  uneasiness  at  Sackets  Harbor  for  the  want  of 
pay.  These  poor  fellows  have  but  a  pittance  for  their  services, 
and  that  pittance  they  want.  Col.  Bellinger  is,  I  am  persuaded, 
a  brave  officer  and  a  worthy  man;  upon  the  whole  I  am  very 
much  pleased  with  him  as  a  man. 

I  have  to  recommend  particularly  to  your  Excellency,  John 
M.  Canfield,  as   Paymiister  to  my  Brigade.     I   know  no   man 
more  worthy  of  confidence,  and  to  him  it  would  be  a  very  plea- 
sant berth  in  these  times. 
37 


582 


Appendix. 


I  have  given  the  command  at  Cape  Vincent,  for  the  present, 
to  John  B.  Esselstyn,  and  I  should  be  gratified  if  your  Excellency 
would  assign  him  to  a  command  as  Major,  which  rank  he  holds 
in  the  militia  at  present. 

Your  Excellency  may  count  with  certainty  upon  every  Indian '< 
throughout  British  America  being  perfectly  armed  and  prepared/ 
for  the  combat.  / 

Yours  resi^ectfully,  Jacob  Bkown. 

To  Gov.  Tompkins. 

Brownville,  July  2,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  1  inform  your  Excel- 
lency that  the  perturbation  produced  by  the  declarition  of  war 
is  subsiding  for  the  present.  I  have  traversed  the  most  of  the 
settlements  in  the  county,  had  little  meetings  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  was  much  gratified  by  the  manly  spirit  discovered  by  most. 
I  advised  all  those  who  were  disposed  to  abandon  their  country 
in  the  b'^nr  of  danger,  never  to  return,  &c.  Most  of  those  who 
had  started  are  returning  to  their  habitations.  The  moment  I 
can  put  arms  in  their  hands '•  your  Excellency  will,  I  trust, 
hear  no  more   of   such  disgraceful  conduct  from  this  quarter. 

I  must  take  the  liberty  of  again  reminding  your  Excellency 
that  Cape  Vincent  and  Ogdensbur^';h  are,  in  my  humble  opin- 
ion, the  points  at  which  your  princ.'^.al  force  should  be  assem- 
bled. Sackets  Harbor  is  too  far  from  the  line,  as  1  can  have  no 
idea  of  our  Government  declaring  war  against  Great  Britain 
without  the  conquest  of  Canada.  Our  honor  and  interest  and 
everything  demands  it.  For  Heaven's  sake,  let  our  country  put 
forth  its  strength,  and  Canada  must  fall,  and  that  at  once,  to 
Quebec,  and  we  shall  no  longer  be  subject  to  the  disgrace  of 
defending  our  country  against  Canada  and  the  perpetual  alarm 
of  a  savage  foe. 

Col.  Bellinger  would,  in  my  humble  opinion,  be  much  more 
useful  on  the  St.  Lawrence;  his  force  can  at  present  have  no  ac- 
tive duty  where  they  are.  They  are  now  greatly  wanted  on  the 
St.  Lawrence,  and  will  be,  until  the  arrival  of  reintbrcements. 
As  yet  I  have  heard  of  no  reinforcements  being  on  the  way,  and 
until  this  moment  I  have  heard  of  no  more  arms  or  ammunition. 
By  a  letter  from  Judge  Attwater  I  have,  whilst  writing,  learned 
that  arms  would  probably  be  in  Denmark  by  to-morrow  evening; 
■what  quantity  he  does  not  say.  ^Without  ordnance ,^your Excel- 
lency will  perceive  that  Ogdensburgh  and  Cape  Vincent,  and  all 
our  places  along  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  Lake,  will  be  in  dan- 
ger of  being  destroyed.  I  should  suppose  that  our  country  would 
not  be  willing  to  submit  to  such  disgrace. 

I  had  proceeded  thus  far  when  Lieut.  Col.  Benedict's  letter. 


Appendix. 


C'o3 


ill 


!r. 


'together  with  that  of  Judge  Richards',  arrived.  I  send  a  copy  of 
Benedict's  and  the  Judge's  letter,  that  you  may  have  a  view  of 
the  war  in  that  quarter.  Whatever  my  worthy  and  gallant  friend 
Benedict  may  say,  I  say,  that  the  British  will  not  take  possession 
of  Ogdensburgh  without  the  loss  of  many  lives. 

If  the  British  make  their  approach  with  ordnance,  Benedict 
will,  to  be  sure,  be  unhappily  situated;  but  in  any  situation  your 
Excellency  may  rely  upon  his  doing  his  duly,  and  I  think  all 
honorable  men  must  mourn  that  he  can  not  meet  the  enemy  on 
equal  terms.  I  will  write  your  Excellency  again  when  I  see 
what  are(the  amount  of  my  munitions  of  war)by  the  teams  about 
which  Judge  Attwater  speaks.  ^ 

Yours  respectfully  and  sincerely, 

Jacob  Brown. 

P.  S.  We  are  greatly  in  want  of  pistols  and  swords,  and  if 
your  Excellency  could  have  some  forwarded  for  the  use  of  men 
disposed  to  use  them,  on  their  paying  for  them,  or  giving  good 
security,  they  would  be  essentially  useful. 

His  Excellency  D.  D.  Tompkins. 

Brownville,  July  3,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  Since  writing  you  yesterday,  some  of  my  scouts 
brought  in  a  man  supposed  by  them  to  be  a  spy;  he,  however, 
turns  out  to  be  a  good  Yankee,  who  was  making  the  best  of  his 
way  home.  He  was  found  in  the  woods  a  little  to  the  west  of 
Indian  River,  and  six  or  eight  miles  from  the  St.  Lawrence. 
He  states  that  he  saw  the  people  who  were  taken  from  the  ves- 
sels that  were  burned,  that  there  were  30  of  them,  and  among 
them  several  women  and  children — parts  of  families  moving— 
that  everything  on  board  the  vessels,  even  their  very  clothes, 
were  burned.  This  riian's  story  is  to  be  relied  on,  as  he  has  re- 
spectable friends  in  this  village  who  vouch  for  his  veracity. 

Major  Noon  has  just  been  wiih  me;  he  passed  from  Ogdens- 
burgh to  Cape  Vincent  since  this  burning,  and  confirms  the  whole 
account.  I  Rpprehend  the  British  contemplate  fortifying  the 
Narrows  from  island  to  island,  so  as  to  command  the  river.  This 
must  be  prevented,  and  for  this  and  other  objects  we  are  greatly 
in  want  of  ordnance,  and  some  men  to  use  them  with  success. 

I  have  to  state  to  your  Excellency  that  at  the  moment  when  the 
greatest  alarm  existed  among  the  good  people  of  this  county, 
Capt.  Camp  and  company  proffered  their  services  for  the  defence 
of  the  country  for  thirty  days.  I  saw  that  it  could  but  have  the 
most  happy  effect,  and  accepted  their  services.  Had  I  any  au- 
thority so  to  do?  At  that  moment  I  supposed  that  I  had;  upon 
reflection,  I  fear  that  I  have  not.    If  I  have  exceeded  my  authori- 


684 


Appendix. 


ty,  I  trust  your  Excellency  will  excuse  me  and  inform  me  what  is 
to  be  (lone  with  such  a  business. 

As  I  have  not  heard  from  Col.  Stone,  and  as  I  consider  it  of 
the  fust  importance  to  have  mure  force  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  I 
have  ordered  Col.  Bellinger  to  detach  one  hundred  men  to  Cape 
Vincent  under  the  command  of  his  second  Major.  It  will  be 
done  to>morrow.  I  feel  much  delicacy  in  interfering  in  any 
way  with  Col.  Bellinger,  but  Albany  is  a  great  way  otl,  and  I 
am  persuaded  that  our  force  will  be  much  more  serviceable  at 
the  St.  Lawrence.  My  opinion  is  decidedly  for  pressing  to  the 
line.  The  force  under  Col.  Bellinger  is  the  principal  force  in 
the  country,  and  I  should  suppose  that  it  was  to  be  used  at  this 
time.  Your  Excellency  will  explain  to  me  the  relation  in  which 
I  stand  to  Col.  Bellinger.     He  is  one  of  the  best  of  men. 

From  the  situation  of  our  county,  the  first  and  second  detach- 
ment must,  I  should  suppose,  to  be  useful,  act  together,  and  that 
very  ne^r  the  St.  Lawrence.  It  may  be  desirable  to  press  down 
the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  aid  of  Cfol.  Benedict  before  the  force 
gets  on  from  the  old  counties. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  pray  your  Excellency  to  sanction  what  I 
have  done,  and  to  be  more  explicit  with  your  orders  in  future. 
My  object  is  the  complete  and  perfect  defence  of  this  country 
for  the  present,  and  if  I  can  but  effect  this  I  shall  hope  to  meet 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Commander-in-Chief,  though  my 
conduct  may  be  a  little  irregular.  As  I  am  collecting  a  consider- 
able force  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  where  an  enemy  may  scon  be 
met,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  employ  a  surgeon  on  whom  re- 
liance may  be  placed.  Dr.  Amasa  Trowbridge  is  the  man.  He 
is  very  respectable  as  a  surgeon,  and  I  pray  your  Excellency  to 
approve  my  choice  and  forward  the  tools  he  wants. 

Yours  respectfully,  Jacob  Brown. 

His  Excellency  D,  D.  Tompkins. 

GOVERNOR  TOMPKINS  TO  GENERAL  BROWN. 

Albany,  June  20,  1812.  ^ 
Dear  Sir:  By  Judge  Attwater  I  forwarded  the  following  arti- 
cles for  the  troops  under  your  command:  1,000  muskets;  520  ,'^ 
cartridge  boxes;  15,000  musket  cartridges,  18  to  the  pound;  10,- 
000  do.,  16  to  the  pound;  a  ton  of  lead;  10,300  musket  bullets, 
18  to  the  pound;  56  rifles;  40  casks  of  powder;  1,000  flints;  2 
brass  nine  pounders;  2  pair  staffs,  spongers,  rammers,  port-fire, 
stocks,  &c.;  2  setts  of  horse  harness;  1,500  cannon  balls  for  six 
pounders;  1,500  three  pounders,  and  some  camp  kettles,  slow 
match  and  buck  shot.  In  addition  thereto,  there  is  now  boxing, 
and  will  leave  before  sunset,  with  Major  Edmunds,  a  Revolution- 
ary officer,  1,000  muskets,  100  cartridge  boxes,  fixed  ammunition,   y' 


2 


^ 


/ 


I 


/ 


Appendix. 

camp  kettles,  powder,  &c.,  and  I  have  directed  9  pound  balls  to 
be  eijst  ut  the  tbundrv  in  French  Creei<  [supposed  to  be  Talier^].  I 
shall  order  these  things  on  with  the  greatest  expedition,  and 
shall  add  some  knapsacks.  Tents  have  not  arrived  from  New 
York.  The  want  of  them  has  distressed  me  beyontl  measure. 
The  moment  they  come,  you  shall  be  supplied  as  fast  as  horses 
can  carry  them.  When  the  whole  supplies  arrive,  you  will  have 
2,000  muskets,  and  ammunition,  &c.,  m  your  command — a  supply, 
for  your  post  alone  greater  than  the  whole  United  States  posses- 
sed at  the  comm«ncemcnt  of  the  Revolution. 

Our  hands  will  be  full;  but  be  in  good  spirits,  cheer  the  iniiab« 
itants,  and  you  may  rely  upon  my  devoting  the  exertions  of  every 
man  to  aid  you.     You  are  at  liberty  to  order  Colonel  Stone  with 
volunteers,  or  the  detachment  from  Oneida  County. 
In  great  haste, 

Yours  respectfully,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 

General  Brown. 

P.  S.  Major  General  Van  Rensselaer,  or  some  other  general 
officer  will  be  ordered  to  assist  and  advise  in  your  operations  as 
soon  as  I  can  supply  you  with  tents.  Let  some  men  be  making 
cartridges  at  the  Arsenal.  Cartridge  paper  goes  on,  pistols  also. 
Remember  that  the  Tower  Hill  and  Hamburg  muskets  are  cali- 
bre 16  to  a  pound,  and  the  French  and  new  muskets  18  to  a 
pound.  You  have  both  kinds  of  ammunition.  Dont  let  them 
be  confounded. 

Beownville,  July  6,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  Yours  by  Mr.  Massey  was  received  the  4th  instant, 
early  in  the  morning.  I  am  satisfied.  My  great  anxiety  was 
for  arms  and  ammunition.  Those  by  Judge  Attwater  have  nearly 
all  gone  on  to  St.  Lawrence  County.  Those  by  Major  Ed- 
munds 1  am  expecting  every  hour.  Since  my  tour  among  the 
inhabitants  of  tnis  county,  their  conduct  appears  to  be  more 
manly.  We  have  no  divisions  among  us.  Party  with  us  is 
dead. 

As  it  was  possible  that  Colonel  Benedict  might  be  pressed, 
and  as  it  is  of  the  first  importance  that  what  vessels  we  have 
should  be  preserved,  I  have  sent  the  detachments  from  Lewis 
[County]  to  Ogdensburgh.  And  to  keep  them  in  as  much  alarm 
as  possible  at  Kingston,  I  have  stationed  the  detachment  from 
this  county  at  Cape  Vincent,  and  at  ray  request,  a  considerable 
part  of  the  force  under  Colonel  Bellinger  is  now  also  there.  I 
consider  it  of  the  first  importance  at  present  to  keep  Kingston, 
the  seat  of  British  power  in  Upper  Canada,  as  much  alarmed  as 
possible,  and  for  this  purpose,  1  have  deemed  it  my  duty  to  make 
as  great  a  display  of  force  at  Cape  Vincent,  as  my  means  wquI'1 


t^' 


586 


Appendix. 


permit.  The  British  armed  vessels  remain  at  Kingston,  and  I 
am  assured  that  they  are  arming  several  others  that  are  now 
there. 

Your  Excellency  ^'ill  s:.>e  the  course  I  have  pursued  in  relation 
to  Colonel  Bellinger,  and  the  disposition  I  have  made  of  the 
means  in  my  power,  and  your  Excellency  will  instruct  me  ac- 
cordingly. The  more  I  have  seen  of  Colonel  Bellinger,  the  more 
I  am  pleased  with  him.  He  is  disposed  to  do  every  thing  for 
the  best. 

Nothing  of  importance  has  occurred  along  our  lines  since  I 
last  wrote  your  Excellency.  A  few  six  and  nine  pounder  pieces 
of  ordnance  at  Ogdensburgh  and  at  Sackets  Harbor,  I  should 
consider  of  importance.  The  roads  are  so  bad  to  Ogdensburgh, 
that  six  pounder  pieces  only  should  be  sent  there.  The  six 
pounders  from  this  county  have  gone  on  to  Ogdensburgh;  the 
nines  are  here. 

Not  knowing  who  all  the  officers  are  that  are  assigned  to  my 
brigade,  I  have  to  request  your  Excellency  to  order  them  to  me. 
Colonel  Stone  has  received  my  orders,  and  I  take  it  for  granted 
that  he  is  on  his  way  with  his  regiment. 

As  this  is  nil  new  business,  your  Excellency  will  perceive  how 
much  I  stand  in  need  of  my  Quarter  Master.  Let  him  make  his 
appearance  forthwith.  If  Seymour  does  not  like  his  berth,  I 
would  recommend  to  your  Excellency  a  very  valuable  young 
officer,  General  Martin's  Aid — Captain  John  Safford.*  If  there 
is  any  opening,  he  wouhl  be  happy  to  be  employed,  and  1  should 
be  happy  to  have  such  men  with  me. 

Yours  respectfully,  Jacob  Brown. 

His  Excellency  D.  D.  Tompkins. 

Brownville,  Julyl,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  Since  writing  you  yesterday,  I  have  ascertained 
that  the  Royal  George,  Duke  of  Kent,  Prince  Regent,  and  Earl 
of  Moira,  were  all  in  the  bight  of  Kingston  harbor  on  the  7th,  in 
the  morning,  completely  equipped  and  manned;  and  that  the 
British  were  fitting  up,  as  armed  vessels,  every  bottom  that  they 
could  command  on  the  lake.  Your  Excellency  must  not  be  sur- 
prised if  they  should  attempt  to  destroy  every  vessel  we  have  on 
the  lake,  and  you  will  perceive  that  without  ordnance  it  will 
be  diff.cult  to  prevent  them. 

It  is,  I  should  suppose,  very  important  to  preserve  the  eight 
fine  vessels  we  have  now  at  Oswegatchie.  With  ordnance,  I 
should  hope  to  get  these  vessels  up  the  river,  or  be  able  to  de- 
fend them  where  they  are. 

Colonel  Stone  has  not  yet  arrived,  nor  one  single  field-officer, 

•  Tha  Ui«  Dr.  John  Safford,  of  Waleitowo. 


Appendix. 


587 


or  one  single  man  south  of  Lewis  County.  The  detachment 
from  Lewis  County  are  all  with  Colonel  Benedict.  I  intend  to 
RO  to  the  county  of  St.  Lawrence  the  moment  I  can  get  hold  of 
Colonel  Stone  Hnd  get  him  settled  down  at  his  post  at  Cape 
Vincent.         *         *         #*###* 

I  will  try  and  keep  them  alarmed  &t  Kingston  as  much  and  as 
long  as  possible. 

Yours  respectfully,  Jacob  Brown, 

Brigadier  General. 
His  Excellency  D.  D.  Tompkins. 

Albany,  July  6,  1812. 
Dear  Sir:  I  enclose  you  a  letter  for  Bellinger,  placing  hina 
under  your  command.  I  also  send  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  I  have 
received  from  David  A.  Ogden,  of  St.  Lawrence  County,  and 
have  requested  the  bearer  of  it,  to  show  you  my  answer  to  Mr 
Ogden,  and  the  list  enclosed  in  it.  I  have  left  it  unsealed  for 
that  purpose.  You  will  station  at  Heuvelton  and  other  places 
towards  the  St.  Regis  settlement  such  force  and  supplies  as  a 
judicious  regard  to  the  security  of  the  whole  frontier  will  enable 
you.  1  am,  dear  sir,  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  servant,  Daniel  D.  Tompkins. 

General  Jacob  Brown. 

Brownville,  July  10,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  *        #        *        j  enclose  you  Colonel  Ben- 

edict's letter  of  the  6th  July,  from  which  you  will  see  the  temper 
of  the  people  in  that  (St.  Lawrence)  County.  I  have  ordered 
Colonel  Benedict  to  defend  the  eight  vessels  to  the  last  extremity, 
unless  he  should  hear  that  Woolsey  had  fallen.  My  object  is  to 
have  the  vessels  armed,  if  the  government  will  do  it,  and  pre- 
serve Woolsey. 

You  must  suppose  that  I  will  pay  no  attention  to  county  reso- 
lutions on  the  present  question.  1  shall  leave  the  good  county 
of  Jefferson  in  a  few  days  for  St.  Lawrence.  The  people  of  that 
county  are,  I  am  told,  abandoning  it  in  a  most  shameful  manner. 
They  stand  firm,  as  yet,  in  Jefferson.  Will  the  government  con- 
tend fur  the  dominion  of  the  lake,  or  is  Woolsey  to  be  sacrificed? 
Have  tiie  goodness  to  let  me  know  your  Excellency's  opinion  on 
this  subject.  If  the  Oneida  is  to  be  preserved,  the  government 
must  speedily  furnish  guns  to  arm  and  men  to  man  our  other 
vessels. 

Yours  respectfully,  Jacob  Brown. 

His  Excellency  D.  D.  Tompkins. 


•\\ 


588 


Appendix. 


./ 


..f*- 


^ 


Sackets  Harbor,  July  11,  1812. 

Dear  Sir:  I  was  called,  very  early  this  morning  by  an  alarm, 
to  this  place.  It  was  rumored  that  Woolsey,  with  the  Oneida, 
had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  I  do  not  believe  it,  and 
as  yet  I  have  seen  no  enemy.  Some  may  suppose  it  imprudent 
fot  Woolsey  to  remain  out.  They  are  wrong;  it  is  his  only 
chance.  Here  he  can  not  stay  with  any  safety,  as  we  have  no 
battery  to  shield  him  from  a  superior  force.  He  may  probably 
dodge  their  fleet  on  the  broad  lake,  and  take  a  shot  at  them  one 
at  a  time.  He,  so  far,  has  my  entire  confidence  and  esteem,  and 
I  would  to  God  it  was  in  my  power  to  give  him  the  assistance  he 
merits.  I  pray  your  Excellency  to  let  me  know  specifically 
what  aid  is  to  be  expected  for  Woolsey,  for  until  I  know  that  he 
is  to  be  abandoned,  I  will  protect  our  other  vessels  to  the  utmost 
of  ray  means. 

We  have  the  9  lb.  cannon  at  this  place,  but  not  a  single  9  lb. 
/'..jllflU    1  know  and  feel  the  effects  of  your  Excellency's  zeal  for 
^-'''''the  honor  and  interest  of  the  country,  and  I  have  written  you  so 
much  on  the  subject  of  munitions  of  war  that  really  I  am  almost 
ashamed  to  trouble  you  any  nK)re;  but  at  the  earnest  solicitation 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  place,  I  must  again  say,  that  M'ithout 
the  means  of  arming  our  vessels,  the  lake  and  river  will   most 
probably  soon  be  at  the  command  of  the  :nemy,and  in  that  case, 
Oswego,  Ogdensburgh,  Sackets  Harbor   and  Cape  Vincent,  will 
be  at  the  mercy  of  the  enemy's  shipping,  unless  we  are  well  sup- 
lied  with  ordnance  for  the  defence  of  these  places.    And  I  pray 
your  Excellency  to   believe  me  when  I  say  that  it  will  cost  the 
nation  twice  as  much  to  defend  our  frontier  for  twelve  months, 
as  it  would  to  conquer  the  Canadas  to  Quebec  in  six. 

I  am  very  much  disgusted  with  the  manner  in  which  the  mili- 
tia turn  out  from  the  old  counties.  One  company  has  at  length 
arrived  from  Whitestown,  which  ought  to  contain  75  non-com- 
missioned oflicers  and  privates;  it  really  contains  only  36. 
Another  from  Paris,  which  ought  to  contain  52,  really  contains 
but  32.  This  will  not  be  submitted  to  if  we  have  any  govern- 
ment. I  have  sent  Col.  Stone  back  to  bring  on  every  man  liable 
to  come  that  he  can  find,  and  I  pray  your  Excellency  to  order  a 
new  draft  to  make  up  the  deficiency.  It  is  hard  and  unjust  that 
the  men  of  these  new  counties,  who  marched  at  the  word  of  com- 
mand should  be  thus  treated.  There  is  scarcely  a  man  that  was 
drafted  from  the  counties  of  Lewis,  Jefferson  or  St.  Lawrence, 
either  dead  or  sick.  I  am  sending  ot.  the  detachments  as  they 
arrive  to  St.  Lawrence,  and  shall  until  I  can  make  that  county 
feel  safe.  I  shall  go  there  myself  in  a  day  or  two.  I  am  greatly 
in  want  of  a  quarter-master  of  brigade,  competent  to  do  his 
duty.  I  should  much  like  Martin's  aid — Capt.  SalTbrd  I  believe 
his  oame  is'— I  know  his  conduct  better  than  his  Qamei 


>* 


Appendix. 


589 


The  officers  of  the  regular  army  are  attempting  to  enlist  the 
drafted  men.  I  have  no  objections  if  it  is  regular  and  the  plea- 
sure of  the  commander-in-chief;  but  with  my  present  impres- 
sions I  shall  not  permit  it  unless  my  consent  is  asked,  and  that 
of  my  colonels,  for  I  know  of  no  authority  that  any  officer  in  the 
regular  service  has  to  command  me,  or  those  under  my  command, 
short  of  a  general.  On  this  subject,  I  pray  your  Excellency  to 
instruct  me  specifically,  for  I  wish  to  go  straight,  particularly  on 
these  subjects,  and  I  shall  expect  your  Excellency  to  point  the 
road.    It  shall  be  traveled. 

Yours  sincerely,        Jacob  Brown,  Brigadier  General. 
His  Excellency,  D.  1),  Tompkins. 

Albany,  July  10, 1812. 
Dear  Sir:  Mr.  Thomas  leaves  this  to-morrow  morning,  for  the 
purpose  of  attending  to  the  business  of  Mr.  Goodsee,  and  enquir- 
ing into  the  complaints.     A  copy  of  the  contract  he  takes  with 
hinij  which  will  show  you  what  are  the  rights  of  the  contractor 
and  of  the  officers  respectively.     I  perceive  by  your  letter  to 
Mather  and  Thorne,  you  mention  that,  perhaps,  one  thousand 
troops  will  be  at  OgJensburgh.    If  so,  I  am  fearful  that  you  are 
concentrating,  at  that  point,  a  greater  force  than  will  be  neces- 
sary for  mere  protection,  and  beyond  its  relative  proportion  of 
the  detachments.      The  towns  along  the  river,  towards  St. 
Regis,  must  be  attended  to.     I  have  this  day  forwarded  onehun^ 
dred  rauskets,  to  be  deposited    at  Martinsburgh,  with  cartridge 
boxes,  although  I  deem  any  fear  there,  as  i»;  the  tov.'ns  on  the 
north  part  of  that  county,  totally  groundless.    I  have  also  sent 
two  hundred  and  fifty  muskets  and  ammunition,  for  defence  of 
Rutland,  Mexico,  Scriba,  &c.,  along  the  lake  shore  between 
Sackets  Harbor  and  Oswego.    I  have  also  forwarded  to  Water- 
town,  for  the  use  of  the  St.  Lawrence  frontier  and  the  troops  in 
Jefferson,  one  hundred  tents,  fifty  camp  kettles,  ^c,  to  be  at  your 
disposal.     There  are  now  landing  from  sloops,  seventy  pieces  of 
artillery,  IS's,  12's  and  other  calibre,  which  I  expect  will  be  for- 
warded on,  when  General  Dearborn  comes  to  this  place.    Allow 
me  to  remark,  that  a  less  number  of  men,  with  healthy  accom- 
modations, good  arms  and  ammunition,  and  vigilant  officers  to_ 
discipline  them,  are  a  more  efficient  protection  than  a  greater 
number  unaccommodated,  straightened  for  provisions,  and  hud- 
dled together  in  confusion.   Major  General  Van  Rensselaer  leaves 
this  on  Monday  morning,  for  the  frontier;  but  whether  he  will 
visit  Niagara,  or  Black  River  first,  I  can  not  now  say. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 
General  Brown.  Dani£L  D.  Tompkins. 


'OH- 


1/ 


590 


Appendix. 


P.  S.  I  confirm  your  acceptance  of  the  services  of  Camp  and 
his  company.  It  appears  to  me  that  Bellinger's  and  Storr's  re- 
giments will  be  a  surplus  expense  for  the  Jefferson  frontier,  and 
as  they  are  all  under  your  command  they  are  to  be  distributed  as 
the  whole  frontier  may  require.  I  had  rather  Bellinger's  corps 
should  remain  in  Jefferson  until  their  pay  is  sent  on,  which  will 
be  in  a  day  or  two. 

Sackets  Harbor,  August  4, 1812. 
Dear  Sir:  Samuel  C.  Kanady,  Esq.,  of  this  county,  from  the 
encouragement  which  I  have  given  him,  has  raised  a  company 
of  riflemen,  and  wishes  to  be  employed  by  the  government  in 
any  service  that  may  be  necessary.  He  has  proceeded  under  the 
act  of  6th  February,  1812,  for  raising  fifty  thousand  volunteers. 
Neither  Mr.  Kanady  or  either  of  the  officers  under  him  have  any 
commissions,  and  he  is  solicitous  to  know  from  your  Excellency, 
Avhether  it  would  be  possible  for  them  to  get  commissions,  and 
have  their  services  accepted.  From  my  acquaintance  with  Mr. 
Kanady,  I  have  the  fullest  confidence  in  his  valor  and  patriotism, 
and  I  think  he  would  do  honor  to  the  service.  The  other  officers 
are  Rufus  Willard,  Lieutenant;  J.  Eddy  Cole,  Ensign.  Your 
Excellency  will  be  pleased,  with  all  convenient  speed,  to  inform 
me  of  the  course  Mr.  Kanady  should  pursue.  He  and  his  com- 
pany have  signed  the  articles  of  association,  according  to  the 
requirement  of  the  act.  They  expect  to  be  armed  and  equipped 
by  the  government. 

I  remain  yours,  &c., 

Jacob  Brown,  Brig.  Gen. 
His  Excellency,  the  Governor. 

Sackets  Harbor,  .August  5,  1812. 
Dear  Sir:  I  have  the  pleasure  of  enclosing  your  Excellency 
an  account,  by  an  eye  witness,  of  the  action  between  the  Julia, 
an  American  gun  hoot,  and  two  British  ships  of  war,  an  Earl 
and  a  Duke,  aided  by  a  land  battery.  The  Julia  is  ordered  to 
remain  at  Ogdensburgh,  the  better  to  secure  our  vessels  in  that 
harbor.  Will  the  government  of  the  United  States  furnish  us  with 
ordnance,  so  as  to  enable  us  to  defend  this  place  and  the  brig 
Oneida,  against  any  force  the  enemy  may  bring  against  us,  and 
to  command  the  narrows  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  until  this  govern- 
ment g-c^*  ready  to  make  a  descent  upon  Canada.  The  Royal 
George  and  Prince  Regent  are  now  cruising  off  this  harbor.  I 
expect  to  havedifficulty  with  Colonel  Bellinger's  regiment,  if  it  is 
not  discharged  at  the  expiration  of  the  three  months.  Will  your 
Excellency  instruct  me  on  this  subject.  I  consider  this  the  most 
important  station  on  the  lake,  and  it  i»  verv  desirable  that  a 


^ 


Appendix. 


591 


colonel  of  some  military  accomplishment,  should  be  stationed 
here.  Colonel  Myers,  of  Herkimer,  is  the  sort  of  a  man  I  should 
prefer.  By  the  advice  of  the  Major  General,  I  have  kopt  Cap- 
tain Camp  in  the  service.  His  company  is  disbanded,  and  I 
have  given  him  a  supply  of  men  from  Bellinger's  regiment,  to 
manage  the  cannon.  This,  I  trust,  will  meet  your  Excellency's 
approbation.  We  v;ant  some  companies  of  artillery  very  much. 
It  is  not  proper,  that  those  that  have  be.°n  drafted  should  be  or- 
dered into  the  service  along  these  lines. 

Yours,  respectfully, 

Jacob  Brown,  Brig.  Gen. 

P.  S.  The  good  of  the  service  requires  that  Captain  Camp's 
company  should  be  paid  off.  Will  your  Excellency  please  order 
it  to  be  done?  I  hope  your  Excellency  will  take  some  notice  of 
Lieutenant  Wells,  and  the  gallant  crew  of  the  Julia. 

His  Excellency^  the  Governor. 

Page  525. 

NEILS   SZOLTERCKI   VON  SCHOULTZ. 

The  melancholy  fate  of  Von  Schoultz  excited  the  commisera- 
tion of  an  extended  circle;  and  his  conduct,  from  the  time  of  his 
capture  till  the  moment  of  his  exit,  was  such  as  to  heighten  our 
esteem  for  his  character.  He  plead  guilty  of  the  charges  alleged 
against  him,  and  made  no  effort  to  screen  himself  from  the  con- 
sequences into  which  betrayed  confidence  had  led  him.  An  ex- 
ile from  unhappy  Poland,  a  descendant  from  an  ancient  and 
noble  family,  and  a  witness  of  the  oppression  and  tyranny  of 
Russian  despotism  towards  his  native  country,  he  was  too  easily 
led  into  a  sympathy  for  the  alleged  sufferings  of  Canada;  and, 
from  his  experience  in  military  affairs,  was  entrusted  with  the 
expedition  which  came  to  a  disastrous  issue,  near  Prescott.  He 
had  landed  in  New  York  in  1836,  and  after  visiting  numerous 
places  without  a  settled  purpose,  chance  led  him  to  the  village 
of  Salina,  where  he  became  engaged  in  some  chemical  researches. 

Uuringi  the  short  period  that  intervened  between  his  sentence 
and  his  execution,  he  employed  himself  in  writing  a  vindication 
of  his  character,  which  closes  with  the  following  language: 
"  Misrepresentation  and  deception  led  me  to  embrace  a  cause 
which  l^then  believed  just  and  righteous^  but  now  find  them  the 
mere  instigatloTi'  of  cowardly  and  designing  demagogues.  I 
could  fiave  been  influenced  by  ho  motfve  but  that  lo^e  oT liberty, 
that  desire  to  resist  oppression,  which  is  innate  in  the  heart  of 
every  true  Pole.  It  is  said  1  was  led  on  by  the  hope  of  plunder; 
the  promise  of  reward!  What  were  their  paltry  acres,  and 
their  traitors'  gold  to  mei  ivho  have  more  than  enough  of  thii 


592 


Appendix, 


"world's  wealtri,  since  I  have  lost  every  object  with  whom  it  would 
have  been  ray  joy  to  share  it?  We  were  told  the  people  groaned 
under  the  rod  of  military  despotism.  Had  I  not  seen  in  my  native 
land  the  peasant  in  his  Held,  aye  and  the  noble  in  his  hall,  insulted, 
smitten  to  the  earth,  by  a  hireling  soldiery?  We  were  told  that 
the  people  waited  to  receive  us — that  thousands  would  rally 
around  our  standard  whenever  it  was  unfurled  in  the  land  which  we 
came  to  liberate.  The  indignation  with  which  we  were  repelled 
from  these  shores,  the  united  bravery  of  citizens  and  soldiers,  is 
the  best  answer  to  the  aspersion.  *  *  *  My  trial  is  over; 
witnesses  have  been  examined,  and  the  evidence  adduced  against 
me  is  thought  sufficient  for  my  condemnation.  In  the  eye  of  the 
world,  my  sentence  will  be  considered  just.  Fallible  man  may- 
err,  but  God  knoweth  the  heart!  A  brigand!  a  pirate!  these 
are  hard  names,  which  once  would  have  aroused  my  soul  to  in- 
dignation; but  that  time  is  past.  *  •  *  To-morrow,  I  am 
told,  is  the  time  fixed  for  my  execution.  I  would  that  I  could 
die  a  soldier's  death!  and  yet  it  matters  not.  I  rejoice  I  have 
few  who  will  bewail  my  fate — none  who  can  feel  humiliated  by 
my  ignominy.  I  have  but  a  short  very  short  time  to  prepare  for 
that  hour  and  make  pcftce  with  the  righteous  being  whom  we 
have  all  offended. 

I  shall  dispose  of  my  worldly  effects  so  as  to  make  the  best 
reparation  in  my  power  for  the  evil  I  have  unwittingly  caused. 
To  the  families  of  the  unfortunate  men  who  were  killed  at 
Windmill  Point,  I  leave  a  legacy,  though  they  suffered  from  a 
chance  shot  of  the  militia,  not,  as  has  been  said,  from  our  cool 
and  deliberate  aim.  I  trust  my  memory  will  be  cleared  from 
the  charge  of  inhumanity.  I  paid  every  possible  attention  to 
the  wounded  prisoners  who  fell  in  my  power,  and  I  placed  sen- 
tries over  the  body  of  Lieutenant  Johnson,  a  brave  and  gallant 
yo'mg  officer,  to  protect  him  from  indignity.  I  have  one  favor 
only  to  request;  it  is,  that  my  poor  remains  may  be  delivered  to 
a  friend  whom  I  will  name,  to  be  buried  on  his  own  estate.  The 
British  government,  I  trust,  have  too  much  generosity  to  refuse 
this  trifling  boon.  May  God  forgive  those  whose  evil  councils 
have  brought  me  to  this  untimely  end;  I  will  die  in  charity  with 
all  mankind.  The  miniature  of  my  lost  Therese,  my  first  and  only 
love,  still  rests  upon  my  heart,  and  in  this  dark  and  solemn  hour, 
she  seems  to  smile  on  me  as  she  was  wont  in  happier  days.  I 
pray  that  it  may  be  buried  with  me!" 

He  was  31  years  of  age.  His  father  held  a  major's  commis- 
sion at  the  battle  of  Warsaw,  and  he  had  himself  arisen  to  the 
same  rank. 


INDEX. 


Aboriginal  traett,  remarlcg  uimh,  0 ;  In  Lo  Ray, 
10;  IIouii<''<flela,  WBtertown,  11 ;  Uodmun, 
Adams,  I'n'  iburgh,  12,  157;  Rutland,  13. 

— ^  namti.   6. 

Academia,  SUH;  Watertown,  262,  378;  at.  Ellis- 
burKh,  38r> :  nt  Orlcnna,  3S8. 

Ad,  erectiiiK  Juttvraon  and  lAiwis  Counties,  26, 

Adamn,  I'rusldvnt,  letter  of,  403. 

town  of,   71;    tIIIhko,  74;   centre,  75; 
North,  76;  fieminary,  76;  library,  76. 

Addrena,  to  citizens  of  county,  on  embarKO,  167; 
to  I'refiident  Monroe,  181;  of  Governor  Clin- 
ton, 404. 

Agaric  mineral,  found  in  caverns,  637. 

Agreement,  bctwwm  United  States  and  Oroat 
Jtritnin  conccrnInK  vcbncIh,  617. 

Agricultural,  InHurunce  Company,  410. 

societies,  town,  83.  408 :  stalistlci,  368  to 

361 ;  county,  401 ;  state,  407. 

.4u<,  to  suflvrers  by  fire  at  Watertown,  234;  to 
Orwks,  298;  to  Irisli,  208. 

Alexandria,  19;  Bay.  81,221;  Agricultural  So- 
ciety, 83;  Vle88is,82;  Redwood.  82. 

Allen,  K,  B.,  president  of  Steamboat  Co.,  366. 

Altitudes  of  stations,  W.  and  U.  Rail  Road,  331. 

Ameriran  forces  on  lalje,  sec  Fleet, 

Amulet,  Hebrew,  account  of,  14. 

Awiermn,  William,  trial  of,  623. 

Angerstein,  John  Julius,  purchase  of,  61. 

Anthracite,  5.'jl. 

Anti-rent  movement  in  Philadelphia,  223, 

Antwerp,  town  of,  86;  block  house,  86;  ngency, 
87 ;  formerly  named  Indian  Jiiver,  87 ;  vil- 
laKC,87 ;  Ox  Bow.  01;  mines  in,  93;  library, 
94;  distillerv,  00;  furnace,  00;  millstone 
quarry,  03;  Presbyterian  Church,  570;  As- 
Bociati*  Reformed  Churcli  at  Ox  Bow,  671; 

■  Company  formed.  66;  Morris,  agent,  66; 

Moss  Kent,  agent,  57 ;  Le  Ray,  agent,  67 ; 
William  H.  Harrison,  agent  of,  60 ;  names 
of  trustees,  69 ;  act  for  relief  of,  59 ;  J.  N. 
Rottiers,  agent,  60;  see  Constable,  James, 
diary  of,  152, 155. 

Apatit*  (phosphate  of  lime),  551. 

Appling,  Major  D.,  battle  of  Sandy  Creek,  600. 

— —  post  office,  76. 

Apprentices,  Mr.  Fairbanks'  system  with,  673. 

Apprnpriation  fur  defense  of  frontier,  519. 

Arcade,  at  Watertown,  287. 

Area  of  the  several  towns  south  of  Black  River, 
see  survey  of,  64. 

Armistice,  in  August  and  September,  1812,  466. 

Arms,  sent  to  Champion,  4K0;  to  St.  I^wrence 
County,  462;  collected  at  Clayton,  520. 

Armstrong,  Uen.  John,  secretary  of  war,  letter 
to,  474. 

Arsenal  built  at  Watertown,  262,  461 ;  robbed, 
620;  sold.  262. 

Arttsian  well,  Watertown,  277. 

Articles  of  association,  agricultural  society,  402. 

of  surrender  at  York,  484. 

Amnwall,  Col.,  shares  in  battle  of  Sackets  Har- 
bor, 486. 

Assemblu  Districts,  366,  366. 

jfenihcrs  of.  366. 

Associated  Jianks,  417. 

Associations.  See  Krench  Company,  Antwerp 
Company,  Religious  Societies,  Baptist,  Con- 
gregntional,  Univcrsalist,  &c. 

Altttck  upon  Sackets  Harbor,  463. 

upon  York,  477. 

Attorney  (*7i«rai, report  of,  onPenBt'stltIe,211. 

Auctiim  of  cargo  of  Lord  Nelson,  incident,  460. 

Muritc  (blue  carb.  of  ooppar),  561 


Sachu,  Col,,  In  command  at  Sockets  Harbor. 
485 ;  death  of,  480. 

Bald  Island,  exploit  near,  614. 

locality  of  tourmaline,  560. 

Banks  I'harteriHl,  416  to  417;  associated,  417;  in- 
dividual, 41N;  I'ntriiit,  628. 

Hani.-  ttf'  Hirlliage,il». 

Bank  <if  \yulert<iu>n,  417. 

Baptist  AsKociation,  393;  Missionary  Societies, 
303 ;  Free  Cummuuion,  .'595 ;  Free  Will,  ;*6. 

Barracks,  built  by  U.  Noon,  4t3. 

Madison,  181. 

Barllett's  Jtrint,  137, 105. 

Hasle,  city  of,  proposri.    Sec  French  Company. 

Battle.  See  York.  Sockets  Uarlior,  Flan.  &c,;  of 
Chrysler's  Field,  Sundy  t'rti'k.  Windmill. 

Bawdry,  Dr.,  agency  of,  192. 

Bayard,  Wm.,  Stw  I'enet's  Square,  43. 

purchased  by,  58, 

B^ly  State,  steamer,  364,  360. 

Beavers,  account  of,  53. 

lkrl>ee)s  tUtnn  t\xctnry.  270 ;  burned,  280. 

Bell,  Wm.,  purchapc  of,  »)3. 

/fcH«i7/p,  village  of.  160;  academy,  386. 

Jieltinger.Col.,  stationed  at  Sackets  Harbor,  17T, 
461,  680  to  592. 

his  men  discharged,  466. 

Benedict,  Amos,  notice  of,  420. 

Benedict,  Col.,  called  out  with  regiment,  416. 

Bcthune,  Br.,  establishes  church  at  Alexandrl* 
Uay,84. 

Bible  Society,  Svtknon  County,  306. 

Binsse,  Dr.  John,  agency  of,  61,  213. 

JHographical  Xoticeji.iVi. 

Birdseye  limeslnne.,  534 ;  fossils,  684. 

Black  Julius,  464. 

Bonajmrte,  Joseph  (Count  Survilliers).  purchase 
by,  68 ;  receives  mortgage,  68 ;  Rapnineau,  his 
agent,  59;  Uoyer,  local  agent,  60;  motives  for 
selling,  60;  establishment  at  Natural  bridge, 
304 

Bonds,  Rail  Road,  330,  Xi& 

Bimeints,  several  remains  of,  13, 

Boslwick;  Isaac  W.,  agency  of,  63,  64,  72,  229, 
249. 

Boundary,  survey  of,  68. 

Bounds  of  county  altered,  28. 

Boutin,  Henry,  purchases  at  Ix>nK  Falls,  61, 290. 

Bowlsby,  h.  N.  rail  road  surveys  by,  326. 

7A)i/;*ton,  Thomas,  purcliase,  61 ;  sales,  62. 

Bradu,  Col.  Hugh,  stationed  at  S.  Harbor,  182. 

Bradley,  Kcv.  Joshua,  originates  movement  for 
academy,  385. 

Breaktvater,  at  Cape  A'incent,  proposed,  116. 

Bridges,  73,  08, 131,  203,  216,  217,  237,  244, 260, 
301.  314. 

Brigade  orders  of  landing  at  York,  477. 

British  account  of  battle  of  S.  Harbor,  492. 

Empire,  steamer.  140.  366. 

Queen,  steamer,  140,  356. 

force  on  lake,  see  Fleet. 

Brndliead,  Charles C..  surveys  French  Tract,  SO; 
surveys  number  IV,  55. 

E.  H.,  surveys  canal  extension,  347. 

Branson,  Kthcl,  agency  of,  234 ;  notice  of,  420. 

Dr.  Isaac,  purchase  by,  2.14. 

Broum,,  .lacob.  Major  General,  settles  at  Brown- 
ville'.  97 ;  road  commispioner,  308,  317 ;  con- 
cerned in  steam  boat.  .'iSO ;  nctice  of,  420 ; 
letters  of,  423.  424,  465,  4t)7;  tcstimoriials  to, 
427:  commands  frontier,  46l;  cduiniands  at 
Oguensburgh,  468 ;  at  battle  of  Sackets  lUi- 
bor,  480;  correspondence,  578  to  682. 
Jolm,  govomor  of  R.  I.  tract,  61. 


I 


694 


Index. 


Browne,  Robert,  purcham  by,  62. 

Urawneiltf,  uri;  strllii  fur  town  mmilnn,  06; 
Rettlumont,  U7  ;  vnrl/ Krnwlh.UM;  imvlKstloD 
of  nv«r,UO;  atcaniur L'ruwnv  ilo,  til):  Uoniiital 
Bt,  lUU;  alarm  of  war,  lUU;  v  IIukc,  lUl;  truii- 
tuud  of,  lul ;  eiittim  comphny.  Oil :  lend  works, 
lo;i;  wwilun  faeU)ry  buriii,  10,';  iHixltT.  104; 
Limerick,  loft;  I'onh  rivm-  lUH:  Moflutt- 
Tiliu,  1011;  library,  lOU ;  roUdiou.:  mcietiuii,  lOtt ; 
avmlnury,  ilHU. 

BUtek  Kivrr  vnlley,  avttlrment  of,  25;  ualfs.  56; 
nnviKUiinn  cumpnny,  Dh ;  falla  of,  132 ;  r».i;x! 
to  HBokftx  Ilarlxtr,  IHf) ;  wntorpower,  283, 548 ; 
road,  Ull>;  (Junal  ConiiMiiy,  U43:  de,  jriptlon 
ofc-unai.  ^5;  volume  of  rlvor,  648;  improve- 
meutfi  suiigcated,  548 ;  frvtiheta,  54H. 

• Aasocitttion  (OonKregational),  U91. 

. Hank.  418. 

AoHociation,  Daptiat  Wa. 

UnivOTKallat,  .'iH5. 

• Canal  vxtoasion,  'Mi,  347;   ateam  boat 

company,  347. 
'  a  higbwair,  348. 


630. 


-  Coni«r«nc«,  3U1 ;  diatrict,  301 ;  clrouit,  392. 
'  limeatonu,  636 ;  foaaila,  636 ;  cavema  in, 

'  Literary  and  HollKioua  Initituta,  aee  Jef- 

fcraon  County  Inntituu;. 

' llall  Itond  planned  and  abandoned,  338. 

. a  d  UticnlUkil  l(oadorKaDized,:)3U;  mon- 
ey may  be  borrowed,  342 ;  work  beuun,  342. 
< Tract,  purchaae  of,  62 ;  divifliou  of,  63 ;  aur- 

voy  of,  64. 

■ viilase,  liockport,  238. 

BlMk  Uiiek  Tillafie  burnt,  501. 
Black  Snake  gunboat  (»ptured,  514,616. 
Blanc,  Octiwe,  survevH  on  R.R.,  329,  ;t39. 
BUxk  lloutea  crertcd  by  Inhabitanta,  86,100, 

los,  1U3,  202.    ik^e  Sacketa  Harbor. 
Boats  seized  on  St.  Lar,  enoe,  616.    See  Dlzon, 

Oregory,4c. 
Bucks  hland.  Fort  Carlton,  21.    See  Carlton 

Inland. 
Biijfulo  TillaKO  burnt,  501. 
Burclmnl,  Rev.  Jedwlinh,  76, 164,  386,  391. 
Burchard,  I'l-lcg,  notice  of,  428. 
Burial  Asiociatwns.  See  Cemetery  Aasociatlona. 
Burutl,  of  officers  killed  in  the  war  at  Sacketa 

Harbor,  182. 
Burning  i(f,  Caroline.  519;  of  tbe  Sir  Robert 

I'ctil,  522;  Attimipt  ut,  of,  steamer,  628. 
Burrcillt  Cascailrs.  240,  646. 
Tillage  of,  261. 

Cabintt,  plan  of  campaign,  in  1813, 473,  497. 
Cable,  carried  on  men's  shouldem  from  Sandy 

Creek,  512. 
Caciaf.ne,  locality  of.  652. 
CaUifiruui  saniUlmie,   632;   earth's  condition 

when  formed,  533 ;  iossils  of,  533 ;  extent,  634 ; 

features  and  soil  of,  546. 
Calcite  (calcareous  spar),  661 ;  tufa,  marl,  satin 

H|iiir,  562. 
Camp,  Elisha,  agency  of,  63,  210 ;  patentee  of 

isliiuds,  68,  61) ;  roncomed  In  steajuers,  360, 

352.    yce  .^83,  591. 
Campaign,  plan  of,  473. 
Canada  Boat  Song,  Moore.  570. 
Oinada  lliiMles,  jictitlon  of  siiperrisors,  32. 
CUnnJj,  Sarkets   Harbor.  185;  company,  185: 

Wolf  Island,  331 ;  Black  liiver  Company,  343 ; 

incorporated,  344;  described,  .345. 
Cannon,  found  on  Isthmus  of  Point  Peninsula, 

202. 
CUpf  Vincent,  town  of,  109;  events  of  war,  113; 

vexscis  at,  115;  Rail  Road  Station,  115;  Agri- 

cultunil  society,  409. 
Carlton,  fort,  see  Fort  Carlton;  island,  reserved 

by  state,  51 ;  patented,  79 ;  history  of  r-atent, 

109;  proposed  light  at,  116;  taken,  46|. 
Cariiline,  steamer,  burned,  ,')19. 
Carthage,  village  of.  300 ;  furnace,  300 ;  water 

liower,  :102;  trustees.  303 ;  bank  of,  419. 
Cascadf,  nt  BurrviUe,  546. 
(hstnrland.  Sec  French  Company. 
Ctflorville.  See  French  Company,  63;  road  past, 

310. 
Cataract,  steamer.  354. 
Oit  f\sh  Creek,  143. 
QU/toUc  ISeminarv,  at  La  FargevUIe,  213. 


Otttle  Show,  flnt  county,  404. 

Chulincourt,  Louis  Augustin  de,  purchaafd  by, 

57. 
Chvtms.  in  Black  River  limestone,  636. 
Cedar,  timber,  isolated  locality  of,  550. 
tWhratiuii,  Urst  Fourth  of  July,  201 ;  rail  road, 

3;io. 
Crlf>.tine  (sulphate  of  strontla),  552. 
Omeleru  Asmmatiims,  Adnuis,  75;  Dexter,  106; 

Muskelungc.  187.199;  Felts  Mills, 2:18. 
On«u«,  of  >\ut4>rt<>wn,  1827,  277;  Statiatici  of 

oiateand  National,  357. 
Centre  lot.  See  I'bllHcleliibla,  223. 
Ceittinel,  West4Tn,  advertisement  from,  120. 
Vertijicattt,  for  laud,  practice  of,  l53 ;  evUi  of, 

1U6. 
Oemiin  of  lands  to  the  United  States,  69. 
Cluxmpiun,  Uen.  Henry,  purchajwd  by,  63,  64, 

131, 173;  letter  of,  l!U. 
Champion,  town  of,  119 ;  letter  of  Judge  Hub- 
bard, 121 ;  Ureat  Bend,  131 ;  West  Carthage, 

132 ;  arms  to  be  sent  to,  460. 
Chalcndite  uncoxciie;,  552, 
Chandler,  Brigadier  Ueuerol,  arriTei  at  Saeketa 

Harlior,  476. 
Charlevoix,  remark  of,  on  flux  of  waters   in 

lake,  649;  letter  of,  663. 
Charles  and  Ann,  schooner,  changed  to  QoT- 

ernor  Tompkins,  4U7. 
Charlotte,  two  schooners,  in  patriot  service,  624. 
Cliuumont,  tirst  settlement  of,  200 ;  village,  204; 

tIsherieB,  206, 
Chaunceu,  Commodore  Isaac,  cruise  In  the  fall 

of  1812,469;  In  attack  on  York,  480 ;  quelU 

riot,  608. 

,  Lieutenant  W.,  fires  naval  storw,  488, 

Chazu  limestone,  633. 

Cherry  Island  patented,  69. 

Chevreuii,  laleau,  see  Fort  Carlton,  21. 

Child  lost  In  the  woods,  175. 

Chippewa,  frigate,  at  Storrs'  Harbor,  183. 

Chlorite,  552. 

Chlor(tform  discovered  by  Dr.  Guthrie,  431. 

Clu>lera,  expenses  of,  35 ;  notice  of,  401. 

Cliondrodite,  locality  of,  552. 

Chrysler's  field,  battle  of,  606. 

Circuit  judges,  368. 

Circuits  of  Alethodist  Church,  392. 


Citizens'  Bank,  418. 

Clark,  .lason,  agency 

Claylon,  town  of,  I|5;  Depauville,  143;  tttt 
Block  River  und  Utica  ItailRoad;  patriota 
rally  at,  620. 

Chussanis,  Peter,  purchase  of,  45;  death  of,  65; 
see  French  Company. 

Clerks,  list  of  county,  367. 

Clerk's  dlHce  built,  32. 

Clinton,  IM.':  Witt,  address  by,  404. 

Oickbum,  survey  by,  55,  61. 

Ciilamer,  sufierinteudent  of  rail  road,  832. 

Collectors  of  customs  at  Sackets  Harbor,  184. 

at  Capo  Vincent,  114. 

OV/fdor,  schooner,  changed  to  Pert,  467. 

OMins,  Qencral  Oliver,  calls  outthumil\tia,616. 

Chlquhoun,  Patrick,  purchase  of,  46. 

,  iiroposnls  of,  116. 

Columbia  Street,  former  nameof  Arsenal  Street, 
461.  , 

Cbmm<TC«  of  Sackets  Harbor,  184;  of  lake,  351. 

Cbmmissioners  qf  loans,  370.' 

to  nerform  tlic  dulJes  of  judge,  369. 

to  locate  county  buildings,  29 :  at  Indian 

treaty,  39;  of  land  ofiice,  41,42;  of  boundary, 
68;  Black  River  navigation  co.,  99.  See  roads. 

Cbmmiltees,  rail  road,  .'139,  Ac. 

Commodore  Barrie,  steamer,  return  of  prisoners 
in.  527. 

ChmiiaTiies.  See  plank  roads,  turnpikes,  steam 
boats,  roil  roads,  banks,  &c. 

Ck)r,ipany,  French.  See  French  company,  Ant- 
werp compan;',  4c. 

Confession  cf  robbery,  extorted  from  Whittle- 
sey, 266. 

Conjiance,  British  name  of  schooner  Orowlcr, 
501. 

Congregational  association,  391. 

Coiiijress,  nieuil)cr»  of.  365. 

ship,  crew  of  sent  to  lakes,  614. 

Congressional  Districts,  365. 

CbmtabU,  Jamet,  agent  of  Wm.  0.,  63 ;  an  ex*- 


f 


Index. 


695 


Ibf, 

road, 

,105; 
ici  of 

B. 
li  of. 

J.  64, 
Hub- 

lUKO, 

ickeU 

n  in 

Got- 

1,624. 
,204; 

le  fnU 
lueUa 

188. 


trIoU 
f,66; 


,616. 

;reet, 
361, 

idinn 
lary, 
>ad8. 

neni 

«am 

Ant- 

Ittle- 
vlcr, 


('. 


eutor  of  hit  brolhei  <  Mtat«,  63;  dluf  of,  148, 

lUH. 
0>tistaUi,  WaUam,  purrhiuie  of,  41;  nclls  to 

ChawiuiiU,  46;  propunltluuN  with  Lonl  i'ult- 

nvv,  St);  kcIIh  tu  Antwurp  rniiipnny,  60;  miIIa 

to  Wiinl,  Ul ;  HulMi'<iui-nt  Huli'H,  HI ;  lantln  n>- 

coiiTnyul  to,  02:  wIIh  HIack  lUvur  tract,  62; 

oxiK'UtorH  or  c»t8lo  of,  OU. 
CriiitracUirii  uii  roll  rondH,  UUO. 
Oxiper,  Abram,  purcliHM)  by,  67. 
J.  Fonnlmoro,  rumorKi  of,  on  erulM  of 

Ohsuncey,  471. 
Cnpptr  pyntm,  652, 
Vuralt,  fouU  of  Ulnck  RlTcr  llmentone,  636, 636 ; 

of  TTOntonLlmeBtonu,  639,  640. 
Cbmtlia,  steamor,  on  Black  Kiver,  344 ;  incident, 

344. 
Owwiir*,  869. 
Vorporalvmt  of  Utlca  and  Rome  may  Iwrrow 

money  for  rail  roaila,  342. 
Cbm,  large  yields  of,  161. 
Cbttim  .factories,  BrownvUle,  102;  Watertown, 

2S1;  B«)be«'(i,'i79. 
Cnunca  nf  War,  475,  498,  502. 
Cbuntu  (ifficet,  lIstH  of,  367-370. 
■    ■     ■  seat,  commissionerg  for  locatinc,  29. 
Cbuntift,  vnyioun  to  JelfersoD,  26;  act  cn.-<<tinR, 

2tl ;  bounds  nltorud,  28 ;  county  bulldlnBS,  sue 

court  liouse,  jail,  &c. 
Churls,  reconi  of,  30;  account  of  flrtt,  36;  first 

judKeflof,  37. 
Court  home,  tax  for,  31 ;  built,  31 ;  injured  by 

fire,  1'2;  burned,  32:  rebuilt,  .13. 
Court  martial,  for  trial  of  patriots,  625,  627. 
O-anhfrry  tVwA-,  enRagement  at,  79,  494;  Bri- 
tish account  of,  4U5. 
Crane,  I.  W.,  surreys  rail  road,  329. 
'^aru,  Joseph,  surreys  by,  220,  306. 
Crawe,  Dr.  Ithamer  B^  notice  of,  428. 
Criminal  Omvictiani,  flrit,  37, 
Vroia-imT-islaml,  liKnt  house,  210. 
Cubieres,  marquis  de.    See  Fenet's  Square,  43. 
Curx'e.1  on  W.  and  K.  rail  road,  table  of,  331. 
Cuttim  Houm,  81, 114, 154, 184. 
Ci/Undrical  ttructure  of  sandatone,  631. 

Vauohters  nf  Temperance,  413. 

Dearborn,  Uenoral  11.  command  of  fhmtlor  stTen 
to,  473 ;  arrives  at  ijarkets  Ilarbor,  474;  Tetter 
to  Sec.  of  War,  474,  476. 

Jkfmse  of  Sackets  Harbor,  483. 

JJe^.nsfji,  military.  See  Block  UouMS,  Sacketi 
Ilarbor,  tc. 

Defiance  of  embareo  law,  156, 458, 

/>r/w,  attempts  to  ourn  steamer,  528. 

De.la  iiurre,  uxp^tion  of,  17;  speech  of,  18;  re- 
turns to  Montreal,  20. 

Delegaten  to  constitutional  convention,  366. 

IMe,matfr,  Henry  A.,  agency  of,  ;M0. 

Depau,  Prancit.  See  Peuct's Squire,  44 ;  pur- 
chase in  Alexandria,  58. 

Dfixtuvilk,  vlllaKp  o(  143. 

Depots  at  Capo  Vincent,  116;  W.  and  B.  rail 
road,  332. 

Deict.nt  of  Black  River  between  falls  and  Car- 
thBae,34d. 

Deterter  ahoi  in  Orleans.  214. 

Desertifms,  executions  for,  179. 

Desfumeaux,  General,  purchngo  by,  58. 

Xk-vardines,  Simon.    Sco   Ponet'a  Square,  43; 

student,  erects  powder  mill,  192. 

De.  WaterviUe.,  part  of  regiment  taken,  602. 

/>euiei/,  Timothy,  notice  of,  42?t. 

William,  mil  road  survey  by,  326 ;  articles 

written  by,  U27 ;  note,  576. 

De  H!-y,  Charles  Sliohael.  56. 

Dexter,  yiUage  of,  104 ;  appropriations  for  piers 
at,  185. 

Diana,  schooner  changed  to  Hamilton,  467. 

Diary  of  James  Constable,  148. 

Dimuck,  Captain,  privateering  cruise,  494. 

Diseases,  notice  of,  400. 

Distances,  early  report  on,  311. 

District  Attorneys,  369. 

Districts,  collection.    See  Custom  Houses. 

Methodist,  392. 

Divitiim  qf  (hnntie.^,  25. 

Dixon,  Samuel,  pi-ivateerlng  cruise,  494, 514, 615. 

Dodge,  ilea.  R.,  to  re-enforce  Sackets  Harbor, 
466;  takes  command  at  Sackets  Harbor,  468, 


Pole,  James,  agenrr  of,  166. 

IMtimile,  552. 

Donation  of  lands  to  Sacketa  Harbor  and  Sara- 
toga rail  road,  X\H. 

DonliUle,  Ocorgc,  lload  Commissioner,  317. 

Voxtater,  Robert  II.,  Superintendent  rail  road, 
■'132 ;  notice  of,  420. 

Oru/Hii  of  Militia,  461. 

Uraymm,  incident  with  sh'.n  carpentars,  608. 

Draper,  .Sorguant,  killed,  ".l3. 

I>rijt,  deposits  of,  647 ;  features,  647 ;  agenciea. 

Drouth,  notices  of  164. 

Drumnumri,  vessel  captured,  602. 

Duhoit,  BiHlinp,  foumiH  a  seminary,  213. 

Duel  at  Madison  llarracks,  ISO. 

Dukt  <tf  (Jloucester,  sent  to  I'rescott,  464 ;  caiv 

turcd  at  New  York,  48.1. 
Duncan,  John,  agency  of,  210. 
Dvixmceau,  I'etcr  S.,  agent  of  Count  BurriUler*, 

68. 
DuOon,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  127, 133,  300. 

Earl  qfMoira  sent  to  PrescoU,  464, 

KarthQuaKes,  notices  nf,  (ifiO, 

Eckford,  Henry,   builder  of  Oneida,  468,  460, 

476 ;  qui'lis  riot,  5U8 ;  note  on,  6l3. 
.KWr/i/,  Thomas,  iiun'hasc  of,  02. 
m*ul,  surveys  Oswegatchie  road,  310. 
tiliication  Society,  County,  397. 
Klections,  special.  370;  of  Oovemor,  370. 
Electrical  cause,  suggested  for  veins  in  Trenton 

limestone.  541. 
FAders,  Presiding,  Methodist,  392. 
Elevations  on  Watertown  and  Rome  rail  road, 

331. 
EUis,  Lvman,  settlement  of,  146. 
Marvel,  purchase  of,  62,  146;  letter  oC 

147. 
EUisburgh,  town  of,  146 ;  nee  Constable  James, 

diary  of;    Krabargo  troubles,  156;    Money 

digging,  15H;    sickness,  158;   Ellis  Village, 

158;   llelleville,  159:   Wisxiville,  160;  Pierre- 

pont  Manor,  160  ■-.  Mannsville,  160. 

Academy,  385 ;  Agricultural  Society,  408. 

Ellis  Village.,  158. 

EmUirpo,  inc«'i.  u;'  of,  89, 166,  468. 

Emliej''.:.tient  ot  put! 'c  money  by  Whittlesey, 

26--. 
Eniampment,  plan  of,  60.1. 
English  families  at  Sackets  Harbor,  174. 

relics  on  Carlton  Island,  22. 

Epi-iein'cs,  notice  of,  400. 

Epidote,  ,i52. 

Epitaph  cf  Major  General  Brown,  427. 

of  J.  Hawkins,  431;  Colonel  Kirby,  140. 

Erection  of  several  towns,  C9. 

i5Mf/«<vn,  Richard  M.,  notice  of,  430. 

Evans,  Henry,  hung  for  the  murder  of  Rogers 

and  Diamond,  101. 

.  Musgrovn,  agency  of,  202, 

Evanjf  Mills,  village  of,  192. 

AVn/i  of  1837-40,  519. 

Execution  ot  Kvans,  101:  Military,  at  Sacketa 

ll"rbor,179;  of  patriots,  527. 
Exr  iVts,  see  Silver  dreys. 
Exjwditinn  of  patriots  down  St.  T/awrenrr,  524. 
Experiment,  scliooncr,  changed  to  Growler,  46T. 
Explosion  of  furnace,  300. 

of  magazine  at  York,  482. 

Express,  steamer,  353 ;  line  of  boats,  366. 
Extension  of  Black  River  Canal,  347. 

fhir,  first  agricultural.  404. 

.HiirbanA't,  Jason,  bail  for  Whittlesey,  263;  note 
on.   573. 

/limine,  bay  of,  locality,  17;  notice  of,  173; 
letter  from,  563. 

fbverger,  Charles  L.,  purchase  of,  61. 

Efature^  of  the  several  rock  formations,  645. 

Feldspar,  662. 

Felt,  John,  Felt's  Mills  named  from,  238 ;  sug- 
gestion on  laKe  ridges.  550. 

f>,Ws  3/iV/j,  village  of  2.37. 

Female  Seminary  at  Brownville,  389. 

Firrv  at  Cape  Vincent.  Ill ;  Sacketa  Harbor,  187. 

FielU's  Nettlement,-2<\i. 

Fine,  Hon.  John,  visiffl  Kingston,  527. 

Finney,  Rev.  Charles  G.,  76, 106,  391. 

Fire$,  at  SackeM  Harbor,  186;  Watertown,  284. 


596 


Index. 


Fiih,  klndR  taken  Ibr  market,  207. 

finh  Itliimi,  lo< ki  tit.W. 

i'iihrrirt,  6ft  lott,  117,  UI2;  at  Chaumont,  306. 

Flat  Hixk,  mx  I'IchhIk,  ^'i. 

i'/crf.  Anmriiim,  on  lake.  Ml  nn812,409,  473; 
«l>iln«  «>f  l!)i;i,  •75,  47U.  4117  ;  In  full  of  1813, 
»(M);  III  1814,  5(17;  iiHllHfur  NiuKira,  616;  to 
be  roiliiciHl  tuonii  vohh'I,  517. 

•  of  vvmoIh  ut  Uuili-niil>uruh,  4M, 

Hritidh,  on  lake  in  th«  Tall  of  1812,  400; 

iprInK  of  ISia.  475;  In  1814,  513. 

FUmr  ittMr,  553. 

Flux  oJ  watpm  on  lako,  54B. 

Fintltrny,  M.  dm,  Hont  to  lay  out  Fort  Carlton,  24. 

Fmt,  AuuuHtUM,  note  on.  471. 

.Niilimn,  U'ttur  to  0   Morrlii,  136.;  lett«rii 

on  roiulx.  309,  31U,  312,  313,  314,  310. 

Firpf*.  nt  Antwerp,  IH);  atdterlintfvUle,226;  at 
CiirlhuKiN  3<Kl. 

Ibv»ulh,  (\ipt.  Ikitjitmin,  arrlrofi  at  ,S.  liar.,  400 ; 
ntmlr  of  tlnnimiHjni,  4(^;  driven  from  Ogdans- 
burgli.  474;  In  attack  on  York,  47U. 

Mrt  (iirltoii.il;  rellcH,  2J;  eapturnl,  22;  hln- 
tory  of,  23:  plan  of,  110;  xreat  natural 
Btruniith  of,  23 :  plan  propoaud  by  M.  Lovy,  24. 

■  (  haunr»>y,  518. 

OeorKo,  raptured,  443;operatioiui  at,  600 ; 
KnrrlxoiieiJ,  6UI. 

I'lk«,  .118. 

Toiiipkinii,  485,  617. 

VIvKlnln,  518. 

Voliinlwr,  485,618. 

Firtijiatlidiis,  Indian, '  i5;  p*i  Six  town  Point, 
20.  100;  on  Carlton  iHlaad,iieo  Fort  Carlton; 
at  .Sacketa  ilnrhor,  180. 

FissiU  jf  mlclf«muii  tinndntone,  S33;  Cbaty, 
.MCI;  hirdneye,  534;  Trenton  llmeatone,  636; 
Uticaalatv,  543;  Lorrainu  ithaleii,  544. 

Ihnlfr,  Jalwii,  notice  of,  430. 

Fmiidr^,  Woodruff's,  cut  of,  280. 

Fmnlmn  at  Watertown.  290;  Arteaian,  277. 

Fturrier  Antndalion,  414. 

thurlh  itf  Julu,  tint  oelobratlon,  201. 

>»ix.  rrulmot'494, 

Frrf  thmiiiunlon  Haplint,  yearly  meetlnK,  395. 

FreMifti,  ill  Blnck  Itlvor.  .S4S. 

Prfiich,  Abel,  aijeniy nf,  234,  300. 

Freiich  Creek,  Indiun  fort  at,  38,136;  rnttle- 
niunt  of,  137 ;  Indian  name  of,  138 ;  action  of, 
505. 

JVene/i,  discoveriea  of,  15;  Do  la  Barre'n  expedi- 
tion, 17;  conquest  of,  20 ;  fort  on  Six  Town 
I'oint,  20 ;  Fort  Carlton,  21 ;  occupy  Sandy 
Crock,  21. 

French  Company,  Ramo,  early  notice  of,  53; 
yield  of  crops,  63 ;  ndvautaKi*ii  of  location,  64; 
climate.  54;  ilescrlpllon  of  fulls,  1)4;  flslicrieH, 
65 ;  death  of  ChasiiauiH,  55 ;  see  Lc  Kay,  settle- 
ment of,  121 ;  road,  see  Frcncb  n>ad ;  articles 
of  association  of,  40 ;  titles  to  tie  Klyen,  40 ; 
cortlticatos  liow  Kiven,  40 ;  payments,  how  to 
be  made,  47;  division  of,  48;  Kovemmcnt  of, 
48;  boundiof,49;  aKoncies, 49;  surveys,  6U; 
Instructions  to  surveyors,  51 ;  settlement  at 
Illxh  Falls,  61;  Tilliur,  aKent,  61;  sales  on 
tract,  6 1 ;  romantic  account  from  Creveoot'iir's 
work,  51 ;  reservation  for  cities,  51 ;  Castor- 
viUo,  53 ;  account  of  several  settlers,  63 ;  early 
prices,  63 ;  tieavors,  53. 

FrUndf  H'tiknifiU.  Soo  Philadelphia. 

,  society  of,  395. 

FrigatM,  New  Orleans  and  Chippewa,  183. 

Fronten  'C,  steamer,  362. 

Frmdirr  Biink,  418. 

FuWm,  I^ivinKston  and,  see  Ontario  steamer. 

Fur  Irnde.,  Canadian,  route  of,  128,  308. 

Furnaces  at  Antwerp,  90;  CarthaKo,  132,  300; 
.SterlinRville,  225;  Theresa,  240;  lined  with 
sandstone,  631. 

Oainu,  Gen.,  commands  at  Sacketa  Harbor,  616. 

6'uHoo  Island,  patent  of,  69. 

(•amt,  wild,  early  notice  of,  53. 

Ounnnoqui,  Forsyth's  attack  of,  467;  patriota' 

rally  near,  52(1. 
Garanfluia,  speech  of  19, 
O'lrifJ  (nilnerbl),  553. 
O'arnfl.  Tom,  tale  of,  411. 
Gas  Ihmpanu,  Watertown,  290. 
GtiMiMe  /tacAxt,  sch'r,  chaognd  toConquatt,  467. 


Gteton,  Rcneral  obMrvatlona,  639;  claulflra- 
tlim,  530;  gneiss,  53U;  primary  rocki,  630; 
I'otsdnin  sandstone,  531. 

Ofiirgt  i  linlim,  steamer,  353. 

(lilliert,  Marlanus  \i„  notice  of,  430. 

(till  ntti,  recent  use  of,  200, 

(ilan,  i|ualitli-s  of,  made  at  ne<lwood,  83 ;  Mnd 
for,  531 ;  fiurt'iry  at  Keilwoisl,  82. 

Gnnn,  composition  of,  630 ;  extent  of,  631. 

UMtmiil,  John  1..,  notice  of,  430. 

OmiUali-,  L.  J.,  piiri'liiise  of,  58. 

(Axxl  tinnarilann,  413. 

IkKm  Hay,  alTair  of,  404 ;  Brltlah  BO(»unt  of, 

Girefrnnr  Clinton,  ?)•'  ■»  county,  404. 

.Marcy  visit*  county,  523;  votea  at  each 

eli-ctlon  for,  371. 

Gradft,  table  of,  W.  and  K.  rail  road,  331. 

Grant,  3.  L.    See  W.  and  11.  rail  road,  332. 

Graphitf,  553. 

Gray,  Captain,  death  of,  488. 

Grrut  Hrnd,  vIIIbm;*'  of,  131 ;  early  purchoM  of, 
132;  Clarke's  mill  burnt,  132. 

Grfffiiry,  Lieutenant,  mlvi^nturvs  of,  614. 

Grerl.s.  aid  to,  398. 

GrKiif,  Alpheus  S.,  notice  of,  430. 

Grt'enlnij;  .lames.    8eo  I'enel's  e<iiuare,  43,  210. 

Grenadirr  y</«(i(<  patented,  09;  sold  to  Post,  09; 
pni|N>sals  for  purchase,  llO;  Wilklnion'a  ren- 
deiivous  at,  W'i, 

Gridley,  ,liidxe  I'liilo,  eflbrti  of,  to  quiet  patriot 
movements,  625,  520, 

GrindMime  hland,  patent  of,  08, 142. 

Grim'ing,  of  rocks  by  drift  agencies,  661. 

Growlrr,  thu  experiment,  4U7;  captured,  467; 
rcciipturiH-l,  501. 

Grnurliy,  Kmanuel  Count  de  (Marahall),  pur- 
chase by,  58. 

Guillurd,  William,  locate*  claM  right,  on  Carl- 
ton Island,  109. 

Gu(/h,  in  Lorraine,  198. 

Gutt\Straim  In  Hodman,  230. 

Guthrie,  Dr.  Samuel,  notice  of,  431. 

Hamilton,  British  name  of  schooner  Julia.  601; 
American  schooner  Uianu,  oliuiigud  to,  467, 

manufucturiiiK  company,  281. 

Hampton,  Qeneral,  plan  of  movementa  for,  467; 

.m 

Hamnumd,  T.  9.,  iiurchaso  by,  58. 

JIarrison,  llichaiu,  a  purchaser  of  Black  River 

Tract,  62. 
(leneral  AVilltam  II.,  arrives  at  Sacketa 

Harbor,  506. 

William  H.,  agency  of,  59,  61. 

//<ij(sfer,  F.  K.,  114. 
IlawK-int,  ,I()»«?ph,  4.31. 

Samuel,  boundary  commissioner,  68. 

Health,  iKiards  of,  cholera  expenses,  35,  276< 
I/eary  Spar  (sulphate  of barytos),  653. 
Hebrew  amulet,  account  of,  14. 
Hemlrrson,  William,  purchase  of,  62,  233. 
town  of,  105;  \lllaBO,  168 ;  Harbor,  168 ; 

Baptist  Church  In,  vote,  672. 
Henry  Kefp'i  Hank,  418. 
Herkimer,  rail  roiul  from  plan  of,  338. 
Hickory  Island,  rally  ot,  520. 
HIah  fidU,  settlement  at ;  siw  French  oompanr* 
High  water  In  Lake  Ontario,  549. 
Hiahioays,  rivers  dwlnred,  348. 
Ifiitnric'tl  compendium  of  I*re8bytery,  391. 
Hoare,  Midshipman,  killed,  61, 
Hoard.  Sylvius,  agency  of,  87. 
Huffman,  Joslah  OKden,  purchase  of,  62. 
Holland  nurcliane,  clamor  of  title,  210. 
Hollnw,  Kutland,  240. 
Honey  comb,  putrifled  (so  called),  a  fossil  coral. 

530. 
Hootic  tunnel,  S.  Harbor  and  S.  R.  R.,  depend- 
ant uimii,  338. 
Hoover,  Capt.  .lohn,  adventure  of,  244, 
Hopkins,  .lesse,  4.11. 
Hornlilemle,  554 ;  tremo1lt«,  arophibole,  dtallage, 

parKasltc,  554 ;  asbestuii,  554. 
HoimdsifitUi,  Kzra  purchase  of,  63 ;  notice  of, 

172. 
HmindffeJd,  town  of,  171 ;  English  fkmillcg  at, 

174;  incident,  175. 
Hubbard,  Abnor,  captures  fort  Carlton,  462. 
Moadiah,  lettsr  oC  121 ;  sm  CUyton,  137. 


r 


Index. 


597 


iiflpi- 


■and 

t  of, 
each 

w  of, 


,210. 

„  «9 ; 
iren- 

Ltriot 


497; 
pur- 
Carl- 


601; 
67. 

4B7; 


iWer 
keti 


168; 


tnr* 


r 


>rtl, 
end- 

age, 
of, 
at, 

137. 


/JD((f«on  ffiViT  fhnUt.  R44. 
JItiiiijir/iiril  llank,  4lH. 

.  Ofvlllo.  prcniili'iit  of  rail  road  Co.,  328; 

iintlit)  (if,  41li''i. 
Uiingiii  /*iv,  MiM'  Hay  of  Fnmlnr. 
Iliiiitfr  ItnliifK.  .'illi,  .'iSi. 
Hiiiiliiiuliiti,  lijcr,  iiiillci"  of.  JIl'i. 
Huilraiitic  power  ol  iXiuk  KIvit,  283,  302. 

/cc  caiv,  Walortown,  637. 

Imvrrtimnit,  a  taloof  nrlll^h,  471. 

Jmliiiii   rcniiiliiH,   H-Ili;  iiiiiiii'h  of  plarcs,  ITi : 

H|u'itIi  of  (iiiniiitrulii,   Iv);  Irvnty,   3U;  iiHUin 

of  Kri'iiili  cnH'k,  liis. 
Jnili(W  IIkI  hliiiid,  imti'iitii),  (!n. 
Imliiin  A'l ivr,  cnrl y  iiiiiiii' of  Antwerp.  87;  ob- 

Ntriiotlouti  to  III)  ri'muvfU,  'Hi ;  a  liiKhwuy, 

:t4s. 

Jndiriiluni  liittiki,  418. 

IiulHflridl  A»tnriiiti<m.  .Toffor^on  County,  414. 

Jiijiinlrii,  2cl  rvKiniont  orKiiniZMl,  182. 

Inlmbildiilt,  MtitliallrH  of,  357. 

Inman,  Willinm,  purclinci'  of.  4f>,  (11,  fl2, 

iiwcn'/i/iVi/M,  forinor,  on  wwKtuu  monument,  183. 

Jn>jx'<]li)rs  of  Anil.  207. 

Jmiiliriil  roniiiiiitMioner,  300. 

JmUlute.  .Ti-fTerHoii  Comity.  379.  386. 

Imuranre.  (Aimjxiiiit*.  .IcnerRon  County,  410. 

AKrirnlttirnI,  41». 

Inlfrnul  Mnimmmrutt,  307. 

/m/i.  rollef  to,  ;tlt8. 

Jr<m  Mitien,  557.  to  6(10. 

/roll.  ure»  of,  Wi,  93 ;  uiangancse  mtitaken  for, 

163.  197,22(1. 
In'inii.  Wnoliinftton.  aid  to  Qovemor,  arrivcii  at 

Socket*  Hurlior,  610 
htund,  ancient,  BUeKcntcd,  650. 
Jslutirl  Hicht  ve-nel  liiinail.  4(12. 
liliiiiilii,  title  of,  118  ;  not  patented  till  Burrcy  of 

boundary,  OH;  certain,  ceded  to  United  States, 

09;  lielonxInK  to  lloumliitleld,  1S7. 
laxrU,  Ueueral,  arrivua  at  JSuelieto  Harbor,  610. 

Jack  Dmcniiio,  atramer,  353. 

Jail,  in  Court  House,  31;  built  aeparato,  33; 

enlaruotl.  'M. 
Ilbertlcii,  singular  plan  of,  31;  atatuto 

conrorninK,  .12. 
J(ffer»<in  r»!venuo  cutter,  518, 
Jeffirmm  Oniiilu  AKrleultural  Society,  401;  arti- 

cloH  of  n88o<-lution,  402. 

Hank,  41."). 

IndiiHtrlal  Association.  414. 

^—  Institute,  orKanized,  370;  report.  380; 

opened,  381 ;  name  cbanKcd,  382 ;  statistics, 

38o. 
Jfnw,  D.  C,  surreys  of  rail  road  by,  330. 
Jeniiy  Liml,  stitamor,  366, 
Mm  Marshall,  steamer,  353. 
Johmton.  M'illiHui,  concerned  In  bumlnn  the 

Peel,  522;  notic"  of.  522;  pursued,  624,  626. 
Jfihiislifii'ii,  road  to,  317. 
JoH''.«,  UriK,  608. 

Jnuliii,  I'ierrc  Charles,  agency  of,  191. 
Journey,  diary  of    Sco  James  Constable. 
Jufloes,  county,  368. 
Jtihel,  Maitame.  C,  purchase  by,  68. 
JuheMIU',  village  of.  210. 
^u/ia,  »cho<iner,  alTair  of.  405;  captured,  497; 

recaptured,  601 ;  named  Hamilton  by  Uritish, 

601. 
Jufticfs,  assistant,  308;  of  sessions,  869;  ono  on 

Carlton  Island,  111. 
Katariikotiy,  American,  62,  64. 
Keeene,  iron  m  iue,  93. 
Kent,  Moss,  agent  of  Antwerp  company,  67;  for 

he  Kay.  191. 
Kemblf,  I'eter,  purchase  of,  03, 173. 
KevM,  Perley,  notice  of,  436;  ball  for  Whittle- 
sey, 26;i. 
King's  (jariJen,  on  Carlton  Island,  110. 
Kingston,  propose<l  attack  on.  473.  474,476,497. 
Kiruy,  Col.  Kdmund.  notice  of,  439. 
Knights  itf  Jericho,  413. 

Zahradorite  (opalescent  feldspar),  66S. 

Lady  (lure,  veswl  captured,  .w2. 

Lady  Murray,  schooner  captured.  493. 

Xa  xbrvc,  Jobn,  seo  Penet's  Square,  44, 212, 213 ; 

'6^ 


buys  land  of  Count  Sur»niler»,  «0;  of  Ani- 

wcrp  I iimny.i:!. 

IM  J-iiryerille,  >||lnKc  of,  213, 

jAike  Oiitiirio.vxU'Ut.tM:  ctiigcs  of  water.  548  ; 

»nlerh.|«>iit^  5 HI;  mlrutje,  o49;  ancient  c»- 

icni  <»i.  04i*. 
/-"/.<».  In  llhTO'n.  240, 
/,('  Miiiiir,  niiftNldiiury.  notice  of,  17, 
Lamlriimmisiinncrs'  nffln..  (icuhd.  41 ;  conTOy 

lo  Minonili.  41  :  idnvey  UIhihIk,  Ih. 
1,0ml  f.Jhir.  U'  lliiv  V.  Ht2, 

^"'■m'  ^'^'  *'"  ""  '"'''*  '"''"•'""'"■)■•  231,  291, 
I'lid  veins  of.  In  Trenton  llm.stune,  .Ml, 
/-<■«(/  ioiii-Kh,  llri,nnvllli.,  in;:. 
Uoxrt,  in  periielult).  iitti  Hipliil,  •.'!«.  ;:'.'2 
y.-'./,'.///,  town  (if,  Hit);  Imidcnl,   ltd;  „f|l,,.  at. 

-•.1^*"""  ,'"'""!    '"''':   I'l'""   I''"'!"-,   Ili3| 
Kinllily  niecthm.  222,  oO.'i, 


192 
nid 


-—  .[iinieM  l»„  Hile»  by.  fi5.  57;  iiurdinfp  bv, 
iiii.Sc  Kcttlcnicnt  (It  cftiile  lY.  i)l;  liiddin't, 
114:  Kc  III"  lit  l,c  llavhvilli'.  192;  |Hilliiii  for 
riiiKl.  .I'.l ;  see  liirniiikei.;  iiKrl(  ullual  MKlety, 


canal   limn. 


lety, 
415;  SHrkul- 


&(■.;  not  Ice  of,  441 

I  me.  44(1. 
- — —  Vincent,  purdiaiien  by.  CI, 
I.r  Uaysrille,  piiipcrtj  of  l.e  lliiv  at,  CO, 
Le  Hoy.  Ilemiiin,  kcc  IVnct's  ii(iunre,  43;  pur- 

ibiiKCM  in  iiunilicr  IV.,  ,'i8.  ,       .  i-ur 

//.«.  atteniptH  In  l.urn  ntciiiiier.  528. 
/<■  Iniirlivr.  .lolin  y..  clnlni  of,  210. 
Lrvatsmr,  Kn-ndi  hhipwrlubt,  to  lie  sent  to  fort 

Carlton.  24. 
ifiV/.  Cbevaller,  plan  of,  for  fortlfj  Ing  the  St 

l.iiwrence.  24, 
Zi^iciX  (Jen.  Morgan,  arrives  atSnckets  Hnrlior, 

Limleii,  former  lioiinils  of,  70.  248,  290. 
ii/iranVn.  kikIiiI.  75,  Sil,  Kill.  ;ls,  \-M.  102.  ICO 

187.  1»:!,  227.  241,  290,  304,  3SH. 
Licinae,  votes  on.  371. 
Liuht  /AiiiKi  J.  cession  of  Innds  for,  69 ;  sunken 

VS'S^l '  ''.'."''','•'!  '■"'"'•  ll"i  'n  Uoundslield, 

IVi,  IS,  :  Itock  Island,  214. 
Liinerivk,  village  of,  105. 
Limrfli.nr,  Vhtrty,  5;i3;   1 1rilseye,  534;    lilack 

Iliver.  535;  Trettfon,  639;  features  and  soil 

of,  54tl, 
Limonilr  (I'ogiron  ore),  555. 
Link  in  the  Chain,  (luotation  fVom  articles  en- 
titled. 2<i2. 
Litchfield  company  formed  at.  300. 
Lithic  iHiiiit,  nianufucture   of,  554;  I'tica  slate 

used  for,  «43. 
Liriiigslt/ii,  Kobert  F.,  rail  road  surveys  by,  320, 

•  139. 
Liviiigslot)  and  Fiiltov.    gee  Ontario  steamer. 
Loan  n»m7Mi',«.«iV;»((ry,  370, 
Lockimrt.    See  Hluck  Uiver  Tillage,  2.18, 
LiHliies.     See  Masons,    (Jdd    Fellows,    Hunter 

liodues, 
Z<v  ^'•'h,  former  name  of  I.a  Fargeville,  213. 
/•'■•;,/  /'h'l.;.    Seo  (.'nrthnge,  lilack  River,  Ac. 
^iiig  Wand.    See  Wolf  Isliind. 
L(vrd  Mehon,  schooner  Hcized  and  condemned 

4()0!  changed  to  .Scourge,  4C0. 
I/ir<l,  VViliiiini,  resolutions  on  rail  road  bv,  328. 
Lorraine,  town  of,  105;    Consliiblcs  Journal. 

190:  Silver  Urays,  198;  gulfs,  198. 
Lorraine  Shales.  108,  544;  fossils,  644;  features 

and  soil  of,  546. 
Loss  of  child  in  woods,  175.     Seo  Watcrtown, 

Ijoltery  for  state  road.  315,  316. 

lAnv,  Nicholas,  inirchase  of,  (i2:  Sales  by,  154. 

Aoie  watrr  in  Lake  Ontario.  549. 

Luce.  Vinal,  concerned  on  i'enet's  Square,  212. 

Lumlier  trade,»\,  112.  137.  141. 

Lusher,  ¥.v\,  concerni'd  In  steam  boat*,  350. 

Lutherans,  societies  of,  395. 

Lyme,  town  of,  109:   roads,  203:  bridge,  203: 

Three  .Mile  llay.  204:  fifheries,  200. 
Lynch  Law  appllcil  to  Whittleiiey,  2( '3, 
Lymi.  ('aleb.  of  Lyonsdale,  poem  on  Thousand 

Islands,  5C9. 

Macedonian,  crew  of,  sent  to  lake,  613. 
Macomb.  Alexander.  jiurchnFe  of,  41;  area  of, 

44;  tracts  of,  44;  Jane,  wife  of,  relcascslands. 

66.    See  Constable,  WUUam.  - 


/ 


598 


Index. 


Miifirmb,  Ofncral  A,,  unit  to  nnrthrm  fronll»r, 

r>li. 
Maititiiii  Hu'nuki  lit  Snrki'tK  llnrhtir,  181,  617, 
Maontiiif  Hi  Viirk,  i'X|i|imIuii  oI,  Vs'i. 
M'luiiiiiif  (iiinuni'll''  Inin  iin<),  liib. 
Mini  lilt,'  III  Hli'iiiiirrK,  ^U'lA. 
Jliiliiiliiii  (u^'<'ll^nrtl  inprHir),  MA. 
MfiiiiiiniK,  Iliilct'lKlvi' III  flivt.  Wll. 
Miiiiiimiine,  iixjiliMiJ',  iiiitli^il,  WV,  197. 
MiiiiiiniW:  \m. 

Miiiinfiiinrirn,  iif  ninrliliii'ry,  Ac,  IffiJ, 
Jliirlilt,  III  AiitwiTii,  Ii4, 
Miirii/,  iliiviTtiiir,  vlxllii  I'liiinly,  ri'JJI. 
Miiriili;  An'iit,  tlr»l  mirvi')!"""'  '""nty,  .18. 
Miiiiha  Oiiili'ii,  Kti'iiiniT,  wrti  knt,  1162. 
Miiiiiit,  (It'll.  \V..  rimil  iiuiiiiilioiliiiiur,  U17. 
^lAii'V  Ami,  viMM'l,  i'H|>hiri'<l,  &U2. 
Miituiiiii;  Hw'iH'inlliiiiN, 4liti. 
Miitney.  Hurt,  iiiitiii-  iif,  447;  lotttT  of,  4fiO. 

Iiiiiloii,  niitlior  nf  l.liik  III  liiii  Clialu,  2S'2. 

Alilllli/Uclllirt,  KtllllHtlrH  iif,  :i!\S,  'M\, 

Mr Mlimlii;  Win.,  NKi'iiry  (if,  h". 

MOirinirl,;  Itiiiiii-I,  iiuri'liHKii  of,  41  ;  mnirmod 

III  rniiVfvniii'i'H,  i'i\  )14;  lltlo  lo  IhIhiiiIh,  iN. 
Milhiiiril,  lirliiu"  I'Hi'K  |iK)rli>t  |irli<iim'rH,  b'£l. 
Mit:irr.i,  iliiiiii'H,  n'l'  ri'iiol'H  Xitiiirr,  4U. 
-Vihiiizif,  iiiilrliit  IcmliT,  frjl. 
MiSiiiili.  r*(r  Alli'ii.  |iriH'uri'M  nil  road  nubacrlp- 

tliiiiM  III  l,iiiiiliiii,  '.vrt. 
Mc.\iil,  lli'iiry,  rniiil  I'oniinlcfloner,  .'il7. 
Mi\ill,  Ciiiit.  f'iiiiiiii'I,  1117.  4.S7. 
McJ'iiirtim,  Cniil..  i'lnirnlriit  French Crwk.  JOfl. 
MViil.ur.  ,l«liii.  III)  uxvcutur  of  W.  L'ooHtablo'ii 

rHtiili-.  )WI. 
M.rluiiiki'  I'liiik,  4VI. 
■  ffniteelitinK,  414. 
MkIiiI,  |ir«w!iiliil  til  (li-n.  llrown,  42(1. 
Mi'Uinil  H(Nit-tii>N,  .Icirrrwiii  cnniity,  UOO;  lint  Of 

liii'inU'rH,  :IIIU;  iiiilicrH,  MW. 
Mrrliiiil.  to  illMfouniKii  iiHtriut  moTrmontn,  626, 

.'.211,  .')27. 

nitl  roBil,  .1.18,  3.W:  koo  W.  A  H.  R.,  *o. 

Mfxilirri.  of  CoiiKniHH,  IlC'i ;  nf  AMM-iiilily,  380. 

Mfrilitmti/  Kriliinioe  Hiiiil,:4\H. 

MirihiiiitiC  Hrrluiiif/i',  Wiitcrtiiwn.  2S0. 

Mrrrilt,  Dariit.  iiamitlvo  of  rlillil  lout.  176. 

Mrliilir  ivi'iiD,  In  Trt'iitiiii  liinvKtuiio,  641. 

Mfliiinitiiaiidl  tHiilc.  6lil . 

Mdhmlitt   HnimtijHil  WK-lotU'R,  301 ;  confercnrp, 

aid;  illfitrictK,  [iVi;  cinuitm  SUi;  preiiidlng 

fllilCTH.  ;!«2. 
J/fjiW),  houniln  of  In  18(10,  70. 
.*/iVi(i<i,  ilmftii  (if.  4U1,  mm,  Mfl.  621. 
Jii7't(irj/(>xe>^iiti(inH  at  .Hiicki''"'  llarhor,  19 

HchiHil.  )iro|MiiH!d  ut  t<nr'kct«  Uarbor,182. 

rmiil.  79.:ilH. 

Millfr,  AHlior,  aKuiic)rof,  CS,  2.13. 

,  .M.  S.,  nuiincy  of,  lUl,  24!». 

i!i!U::'<J»  (Hul|iliurot  of  niokel),  ."i-'ift. 

Mill*,  Colonel  .lolin,  iiotkxi  ot  burial,  183. 

^/iVWimcK,  quarrii'M  of,  93. 

Stini'rnlliiraUtifn,  .'i.'il, 

it/iHcii,  imn.  ill  Aiitwerj).  93;  in  Pllila(Ulplil« 

2011;  ni'iii      iiliirnl  llriilk«>.  304u 
Mirii^enw  Uiix'  (Intiiriii,  o4<.(. 
JU imiimarits,  rmrly,  3UU;  DodetiM  for  MOding, 

3m». 
MojTulh'Wf.  Tlllaor  (il.  100. 
Mimiwk,  Vf^wi'l.  5i)x. 
Monry,  dixirinu.  in  KlllHlmrKli.  168. 
J/oWfi/ stolciiliy  Wl.iltlfwy,  -2(13. 
Mnniiiwlii  of  ntcnintxiatH,  «««  OtitArio  Bteamer. 
^onnif,  tour  nf  I •  r-i-sidenl,  IS] 
Mmiiimint  iiropomil  to  tiiu  mciiiurf  of  I'iksand 

iithoni,  IK-.'. 
MiK'ff.  'FhoniuK,  Cnnailiun  lioat  Sons, 
MiKiri',  killed  ut  ('up<(  V.,  ll:j. 
Mirritand  lliimminiil  rmui,  70.  ;il;> 
Mirris,  (JouviTiu'iir,   auent  uf  Antwerp  Com- 
pany, 6ll;  inrtilcnt  of.journ«y,  114;  (»noen.- 

\n\i  roadH.  all.;il4,  aiU. 
Mirri.i.  U'wIh  K..  purchuso  by,  57 ;   undertaketi 

to  Ki'ttli!  Antwerp.  87. 
Mnrturn,  rude  wooden,  12f).  147. 
Muiiilie  (nulpliiirel  of  iron),  135. 
Miiiiif'tms  removed  from  Smdj;  Creek,  612. 
MuxiitiU  (mini  of  Kniniten),  ."kiO. 
Mur<lrr  of  ItoKem  and  Diamond,  100 ;  of  White 

fumily,  143. 
JUuers,  C.  U.,  visita  Kimriton,  S27. 


S'amtt,  Tndinn,  of  plnren,  16. 

-     ■    iiftowiin,  mIvi'Ii  Iij  proiirdfttom,  70, 

Xiiitthnl  n.Ml 

Siiliiily  of  ( lllneiin.  atnlNlli'ii  nf,  aiK),  301. 

Siiliiiiil  Hriilur,  vllliiui.  .,f,  ;iii4. 

.Viifiliiilimi  (it  llliiik  rnvor,  liu,  317, 

-,  ilHiiuern  (ifliike,  liil. 

AflilUHr,  criildo  of.  4H4. 

iV«(*,  viirlelli'B  iikihI,  Mt,  'JDrt. 

,V<ii'((r*   I'llliiiie  liiiriiiil,  fiOl. 

AViii ./.  ii(«i/c«i,  (imrcli  (if,  170, 

Ai'ii'  Orlrtiin,  frluiite,  on  iitiM'kii  at  8ackotJ  liar- 

l»ir,  1H.1,  ftI7. 
AViii»;)(i;i,T«,    lUt  of.  .172;  at  Watcrtown,  .ITI; 

AiliiinH,  374,  il77  ;  ^iickrtH  Iliirlior,  377  ;  Tlio- 

rcHii,  a7H;  ('artlmve.  •'',n. 
yrw  JkW,-.  ('onipiiny,  kih' Vrenrh  Company. 

Kteniner,  ;i;i4, 

yiugani,  BehiKiiicr,  reliure  of.  112.4l'iO. 

,  Ktennier,  .■Wi4 ;  Meet  iiillii  lor,  610, 

A  iii/m«cc,  liiiy  of.  1 72,  2IX». 

j\ irrniiiii,  bay,  2(KI. 

.\W(/<',  Artliur.  iiclltionror  rond.  .107. 

Ann  ritiiliiil*.  eliiiiior  iiuiiinKt,  2lu. 

AVviH,  Itarliy,  IiiiIIiIm  liarruckH,  473. 

Miirtliernrr,  KieiinuT,  ;tt4. 

Itnlley,  T.  (;.,  report  on  I'enet'n  Title,  2U. 

(>mm  llliir,  burning  of,  IIM,  366, 

fhhl  AW/(/ic.«,  WK'telleK  (if,  4)2 

(l/liurf,  public,  lint  nf,  ;i(;f), 

dt/il'im',  title  of.  In  IsliiiiiN,  i'8;  in  Sarkcta  Ilar- 

Imr,  172:  lottei'M  to,  aio,  312,  314, 
t^ttlrnfliuiyli,  attack  U|hiii,  424,  4(18, 
l)l/ili'n>l)iiiiili,    I'liiijidit  iiml  linme  R,  H.,  341; 

rexohillonii  of,  ;t41 :  money  may  Ut  borrowwl 

for,  343. 
Ofiilfir,  Jolin,  DrltUh  lioiindary  com..  08. 
tHive,  Nicholad.  M'e  I'enet'it  ^<qua^u,  43, 
ttmtxr,  villaK"  of,  214. 
OHciVto,  Hteiiuier.  363;  brlK,  177,  4.1H. 
t}iiri<l(U.  title   mill    lioundarieH  of.  ;{S;  tratty 

with,  ail;  at  battle  of  Handy  Creek,  610. 
Oiilariii,  llrnt  Hteamer,  ;14S;  cut  of,  ;140:  peti- 
tion coucirniiiK.  360;  preMMit  iiteaiuur,3M. 
— — ,  m-hooner,  wii/.ure  of,  1 12,  400. 
Orgfiiiimltim  ot  county.  2.'i.  130. 
Orham,  town  of,  208 ;  wttled  by  oqnattora.  209; 

titleH,2l2;  LaFarxeville,  213:  iieininary.2ia; 

Htonn  MillH,  214;   Omar,  214;   l(ucl(  lalaml 

liKht,214;  academy.  3H8. 
Ofwegali-hir,  cIhIiii    of  Indiana,   88;   road  to, 

ail!,  317 ;  n  lilnliway,  a4H. 
Usiivon.  steamer,  :163;  attempt  to  rcMuu  pro> 

perty  at  the  port  of,  460, 

7fi(/.<oc*,, John,  notice  of,  448. 

/l(in^  liihic.  64.1,  664. 

Jlilmmtolagi/,  olijectH  of,  630, 

Himelia,  town  ot',216;  changed  to  Loander,  and 

liack,  216;    villaKe,  210;  cumeri,  210;  Ju- 

helvillu,  21(1. 
J}(iiu;  among  patrlotD,  .'i21. 
JUtilhrr,  encounter  willi,  SO, 
Ihrinh  Inn  Mini;  569. 
J\irith,  David.  purchaHe  by,  57 ;   aettlement  of 

Antwerp,  87 ;  Imildn  bridge  at  Carthage,  307. 
J^irk-imim,  .Mr.,  iidventurea  of,  2115. 
Jtilenl.    Stv  >liicouib'!i,  4],  4c.  I'enot'i,  42. 
lutriilfif,  Caiitaiu  A.,  propones  to  eitablisha 

military  wdiool,  182. 
ntlritit  iihr,  619. 
JM,  nteamer,  bumeil,  621. 
JMIefirin,  French  xtiipwright,  to  be  icnt  to  Fort 

Carlton,  24. 
iV»(!f,  iVtcr,  Ktipnlation  In  treaty  for,40;  nquare 

laid  out,  42;  appointD  Duncan  hU  attorney, 

43;  chain  of  title,  4.1;  called   Hichlaiid,  62; 

lumlM'ring  on.  137  :  Hquattem,  209. 
tknet,  I'etor,  title  investigated,  211j  attorney 

general'H  report,  211. 
/Viic/,  HIppolvte,  dnlma  of,  210, 
Ifmionera  in  1840,  302. 
l\rch  Hirer .  alarm  of  war  at,  100;  former  sick- 

nesaon,  105;  channel  improved,  106, 
rfriiKlicalii,  lint  of,  372. 
J^'rpeliitil  Leases  attempted,  222. 
7Wn^ic(//ioH('i/-wm6,«o.'alled,  a  fossil  corn), 636. 
J'haroux,  I'oter,  death  of,  50, 62 ;  his  body  found, 

61 ;  tablet  to  bis  memory  by  Le  Bay,  61. 


Index. 


699 


;  to  Fort 


PItrUu.  Mnl,<n»,  it  lkii-nfi,TM  roaj  I'ontrirtori, 

XU,  XM,.  :m. 
JVirlpA.  U(.v.  11.,  piirly  MiNKloniiry,  :100, 
J'i'iliiilr'ii>iiii.  Idwniif,  'JIT;  H'tlliil  liy  O'lnkcr". 

'JIS;  I).'  I,imii.-)V  Mill.  aj;i ;  MorlliiBVlllu,  Jlift. 
rhhuiufiutr  (uilcH  cirwlilm  llllli'Hliim').  ftii". 
V/iyiiii,, ImIiii  .liihiiHMii,  I'linvi'jiiiin'i.  of,  tV^, 
i'lijjtiriaiit,  lUt  uf,  luiMiilxira  uf  louiitv  MK'ioty, 

WW. 
J'liri-',  M.  •.i'onaiit,  (ll«ci>Tc«ri»  oiii'niy.  .MO. 
i'ltrniKiiU  Maiuii;  UK) :  ruU  miul,  (I'lubratlon  at, 

.•MtO. 
J'iii-riiKDil,  1l('r,i'klnli  II.,  iiun'liamt  n(,  I'.'l;  nil 

t'xuc'uti'i'  of  VV.  ('.'« twtiiti',  I'll;  imiL'iilHi  of  iiov- 

cnil  Ih'iiiiiIk,  III) ;  iicitk'»  uf,  44S. 
■ Wlllliini  C,  lltluuf,  ua,  lutl;  iiroKUunt  of 

inllnin-l,  ;i;tt). 
J'iri-.i  nt  Di'xUT,  iiii|iriiprliitl(iiiii for.  IS.'i, 
J'il.i.  ('i)l(iM(il  /..  M..  iiiDVi-H  to  Hurki'tH  llnrJior. 

471:  IiHkiiiIo  iinlor  of  attiuk  on  York.  4*7: 

li'lli'i-  writli'ii,  III  r«i'.i<.iit  of.  4711:  ili'iilh.4x!l; 

)iiourii|iliti'iil  iiotr,  moiiuiuoiit  iiroponuU,  18:^, 
7  ill.  ohlii,  viiiiliiiHtl,  4U0. 

J'hir  riiiiiiH,  I'XtiMit  of,  11)3,  237. 

i  •'•III,  of  Kort  Ciirlton.  1 10;  of  fort  on  Six  Town 

I'oiiit,  lilH;  of  Wllklnxnii'H  rni'iiniiinii'iit,  5o:i. 
7'/>i/i  of  (li-ncriil  llrowii.for  wur  lu  Lauudu,  4;^. 
J'Idiil,  KiHtih,  lint  of,  Ai-i, 
J'tcmis,  vll!ii|i(('  of.  S'J. 
J'litwlif  i<f  llu-  I'lvl,  ,'.21. 
J'li'iiiiiiiiiw,  t'liidi'iiilr.  4IK). 
Jhiiil  Siliihriniu,  ill  t'liuuiuont  Hajr,  IMl;  fl»h- 

crli'H  on,  200. 
J^ilinhiiiu,  'Irlft  ftlfcnclnn,  (137. 
JUilirnl,  luirllt'D,  Htri'UKtli  of,  371 ;  rancor  Ju- 

rliiu  war,  4fi(i. 
J^Mir  llniw,  iTwtcil.  34 ;  remoTod,  34;  prownt 

Hyi<t4,'ni,  iW ;  oviTKCt^rn  of,  115. 
J^>i>li(tm.  Cu|italu,  vuiiturttl  at  Sandr  Crook, 

MI,  .'il.'l. 
J^'imliiliim,  ulnlliitli'H  of.  X)7. 
J\irlfr,  (ii'Dural  I'ulurU.,  boundary  commlmlon- 

.T,  IW. 
l^trl  J'lilnum,  In  Capo  Vino-nt.  111. 
i'tet'iulrru,  »i.  fjiwii'm-c  WatvrtuwD,  300;  hil- 

torlt'ul  i'oni|"''iiliui,     \'t\, 
J're.iCfUt.hnfiy      ,iii-,  .i.,. 
J're^enliii'  |i|)iirniii  rnse  of,  471. 

J'rewli'ii       , ,  .iiiuT,  .'LW. 
J'rrMiu,,  -hierf.  Mi'lUodlst,  372. 
J  I'M"   n.  » i|inp»'r,  il72. 
J'remisi   Mr  lliHirifi',  iirrlTcs  In  Kingston,  474; 

»tt«n-k  •>«  Siu'ki't.i  llarlwr,  485. 
J^iiyf,  (>»«i'ly,  of  u'rnlii  mid  cattlo,  S3,  54, 
riiHuirn  riKlif,  wlO,  o47. 
Primnfrs.  iiiHiiiti'imiicii  of,  ,13, 

of  INfl,  trial  of,  ,'i2.'l :  piitrlot,  627. 

—        patriot,  M'nt  to  WackftB  lliirbor,  827. 

Primlimnn.  on  Ht.  Ijawri'iii'u,  4!I4, 

J'lnrhinuitiiin,  of  (Inv.  Murcy,  623. 

i'ivi/u//,')'s.  linvH  of. ;i.')0. 

J'rnixrlii.  wlzutl ilurtiiK  tho  war,  458. 

J'lililir  iijfiefi-f,  lint  of.  ;lll5. 

J'lilliil  rijcl,;  iioltci-  of.  (12. 

J'lilliifi/.  proiiosltioiiH  for  piircliiiro,  50, 

J'lmiiU  of  tliosu  eouccruod  in  burning  tlio  Pool, 

624. 
Pyruxene,  556, 

Qiinhr  Sftncmml.  Tlllapro  of,  217. 

Quart:,   loiiililio.s  of,  560. 

VuiUiunt,  ClaudlUH  S.,  agency  of,  300. 

TfniV   llnath,  sco  Watortown  and    lionic  324  ; 

SnikL'tiiUarlKjraiidKllMiurKh.  .334;  Hackotc 

Ilarlmr  and  .Saratoga,  307 ;  I'olHdam  and  Wa- 

t«rtowii,  335,  4c. 
Ravinen  in  I^orralnu  shales,  108. 
PadvimU,  villngc  of,  82. 
Pencitf,  of  proiKTty  geized  under  embargo,  458. 
Merfuue  Cutter.  .Icffiirson.  618. 
Jifnimls,  reliniouB,  301.    Sw  tho  several  towns. 
Jil'iiiltitintiiiri/  peminnerf,  402. 
Jiewuril  offered  for  plunderers  of  Peel,  ,''.23. 
Hich,  .Iiiirus,  encounter  with  piiiither,  80. 
Jtiilinnlmn,  Williiim.Bclassn.htitirtucd  t<i  109. 
TfWtffs.  lake,  ,')49;  height  of,. i49;  WilUmu  Dew- 

oy's  remarks  on,  540;  curious  occurrence  of 

rudueaar,66U;  4ueriea,6G0. 


KinlotnMp  rnriM-nler*,  .'lOS. 

/  i/'/i/.  iiKirl.i  III  miiiUloiie.  631. 

niir^diiliinil  lilgliwatn,  34>t. 

V<oi<<*,  pelllloii  lor,  in  l7»i.  ;107;  In  1801. 12«. 
I'm  li'lterx  to  Kuril.  .Siige.  Ouilcn,  Hvowii.  Mor- 
rl-i.  Ac.  liilterli'H  liir.  Ill.'i,  llli);  mmVu.  ;!18.|l; 
.Miirrls  and  lliiiiinioiul.  .'Ilu.  tiee  turniilkca, 
plank  niiiilN,  rnll  rouilH,  Jte. 

Krwiih,  07,  1  ii,  :ios 

Hiililwrii  of  arseiiiil,  620. 

of  public  niollcy  by  Whlttlosev,  atl3, 

HiniiiKlir  Hteiiiiier,  36.1,  ;W4. 

HihI,ii.  cliiKKltliatlon  of.  Ml'  (Icolouy,  6.10. 

J/<»l.   hiami  likilillioiIHe,  214. 

W.»/iii.i».  town  of.  22M:  village.  230;  m*inlnnry, 
■£'A>:'/jMT.'£\i>;  Wlilli.HVllle.2;il;  note,  672. 

Jiiiini,  Hcii  roaiN;  lull  roiid  prnjirt.  ^I'l'.i. 

- — ^— corpijiHlioii,  limy  Imrrow   inoiicy,  342. 

/i'«ii*v/,  .loMi  [ill,  Bgi'iicy  of  I'ariKh  eKiali' In  Ant- 
werp, 8S, 

Unliii-rt,  ,lolin  \..  iigent  of  Antwerp  Co.,  CO. 

It'iiiIrA  i-iirveyeil  for  canal,  i)47. 

/i'nriil  mil,  160. 

i^///(iHi/,  town  of,  2'12;  agencies,  234;  Inclilents, 
*16;  wrcHtlllig,  2.'ltl;  loiiipaiiy  of  eM  iiuiin, 
2.10;  KelfH.MIIIi<,2:W:  T)lervllle,2;!8;  I'm  l.iry 
.'I'.i;  lllack  Itlver  Villaue.  2:i.S:  si'b(;iil<i.  23fl; 
llullow,  240, 561 ;  Uurrvllle  cuscudes,  240, 660, 

Scililnth  ScliiNil  Union,  300. 

lliiloii.  .JelferKon  roniity,  .300, 

.Si(c/.«7,  Augii^tUK,  I.'i7,  172;   notice,  461. 
.VicAiTi  llarlmr  Hank, 417. 

illHtrlct  of,  ls4. 

anil  KlliHliurgh  rail  rond.  ,1,34-.'>, 

and  t*aratog»  rail  roiid.3::7. 


village,  Hetlliii,  174,  170;  defense  of,  177  J 

hiiportance  In  war,  178;  exwntlons  at  170; 
incident,  170;  Monroe's  visit,  IHl;  duel.  IKO; 
liarriicks.  181 ;  vessels  at,  Ix.'tM'anal,  185:  (Ire, 
IKO;  charter,  180;  ferry,  187;  union  school, 
187:  llbriiry,  187  ;  Y.  M.  Asso.,  188;  in  war, 
486  to  617. 

Siiai;  Nallmii,  letter  on  road,  312;  com'r,  817. 

iSuhiwn  Hirer,  road  to,  312 

Sull-W(irh»,  road  from, .'!'  '     118. 

>iiit<l»t(>iir,  I'otsdiini.  631      ralclferons.  532. 

Suntlij  Crrek,  French  |h  »t  at.  21 ;  battle  of,  167 ; 
uioutii  of,  101 ;  marshes.  101 ;  wrecks  at,  lol; 
survey  of,  102 ;   bnllle  of.  609. 

Siilm  spar,  li»-alltles  of.  652. 

Siutlp  found  in  legislative  ball  at  York,  4S3. 

Si'.ti ixiliU' .  660, 

MiimU,  .<uiierintcndenU  of,  397 ;  free,  tax  for, 
308. 

militar? .  ornposed  at  Jackets  Harbor,  182. 

lol  III  I'hiliulelphUi.  219. 

HliiHim-r.t.  .S'iagani  iiikI  (Intarlo  seized,  112, 

\:liii!/lir.  I'eter.  niiil  loniinissioner,  317. 

"liilip.  coni-ernid  In  I'eiiet  Square,  212, 

tSciiurgi',  schooinr.  l.nrd  Nelson,  400, 

iSrrilKt,  (leoruc  purchase  of.  03. 

.S<«i(7(>».  religious,  rw  each  town;  sco  religious 

MM'iellcs. 

Srcnmlary  rnrk,  6.'!0. 

tSecrcl  criH^lUitms  against  Sackets  Harbor,  493, 

607 
.<«.•;,/  .tncirtien,  409 ;  patriot,  619. 
Sine  ./w/icriVjt, set,' fisheries.  206. 
M'uure.  of  proiHTty  under  embargo,  458. 
S'll.irk;  Earl  of,  purchase  of.  03. 
Seiii  iiari/,  AiUtmH,  76;   llrownville.  388 ;   Cath- 

I.  u;  nt  lia  Kargeville,  213;  Koduiun,  230. 
Serjientitic.  667. 
Hi; iitli  Jhiij  Jiaplists,  Adama,  'i',  78;  Hounds- 

flelil,    180. 
Srwall,  Henry  D..  factory  of  Hamilton  Co..  C81, 
Hymnur.  David,  agent  for  making  road,  310. 
Shales.  I/irraine,  644. 
Sheaffe.  (Jeneral,  commands  at  Y'ork,  483. 
Sherriffs,  list  of.  307. 
S'liihhuihliufi,   116.141,204,205.       . 
Sliiiis,  at  fai'kcts  Harbor,   18;!. 
S'lipcarjienliri.   iiuilent  with.    iiOS, 
Uliiiemaler,  Abrpm.  exp':^it  of     "'6. 
Sickiieii,  prevailing,  SO,  147,  160,  168,  201,   221, 

Silitr  Grayx,  companies  of  exempts,  in  Adams, 
74;  Kllisburgh,  1,67;  Lorruino,  198 ;  RodmMl 
230;  Kutland,  23U. 


■«> 


600 


Index* 


Sir  llnbcrt  IM,  (<(<'nlncr,  Intmctl.  621,  to  62-J. 

•S/x  'JhjoHJ'iihil,  truce  ul'u work  un, 2U ;  plan, ICO. 

«SV.cWi>H«,  Iiidinn,  of  Krciit  size,  1:!. 

iSlale,  L'tirii,  bVi;  fviiturcs  and  soil  of,  545. 

SltJiM-  (if  iirininry  rotk»,  647. 

Smith,  Cliiirli's,  riJI  roiid  survey  by,  ^29. 

.Ti'HK!,  Tri,  'Zl'J. 

JiinnH,  nt?«nnv  of,  200. 

M'illiain,  rucc-lver  for  Ponot  Sauaro,  212 ; 

aid  in  rnil  hmmI  ackuowliHlgi'd,  :I20. 

WilHam  StoVL'iui,  to  lo<ato  lands  for  lord 

I'ultuvy,  5iil. 
Smith's  mntnnmml,  518. 
tSmit/i't  Hilln,  Kuc  Adums,  73. 
Umithvilk,  Ti>. 
>ii'mu<w'i°'V  during  the  war,  89;  fiicilltlcs  for,  in 

winter,  45',). 
tSiHj/lh,  Clinrlex,  patentee  of  part  of  Carlton  I«- 

lnn<l,  ion ;  conwmeii  in  Kt«'ani  l)ont,  350. 
Sk-iuI  Libraries,  Kve  librarle.'',  HK'iai. 
Unl  of  llie  several  rocks,  '>',ii. 
iSmji  tif  'l\int>erann\  divisions  of,  113. 
iSiphia,  Te.sMol  burned,  402. 
JUjmtr,  Hev.  David,  an  early  missionary,  135, 

2:J1,  390, 
Specular  Iron,  557 ;    geological  place  of,  557 ; 

mines,  557,  558. 
Sjxnar,  Joshua  A.,  efforts  of,  to  quiet  patriot 

iiuestlons,  525, 520, 
Spjlslmry,  Oapt.,  capturtd  at  Sandy  Creek,  611, 

,'•13, 
Spiijirr,  gun  boat,  captured,  494. 
JS'phene,  5ij0. 

iiiuiitkrs  on  I'enet  fnuaro,  209. 
St.  Dnminan,  pettlers  from.  53,  54, 
St.  lAiwrenee  Itiver,    ini|iort»nee    of,   2o,  318; 

sle^mers,  353.     See  Tliousaiiii  Isles. 
St.  Viticent  cle  Hiul.  seminary,  213. 
State  BinK-  at  Sad.ets  Ilarlmr.  41tt. 
Slate  JInadf.  203.     See  Oswegntehie.  .^l4  to  .319. 
Slatiinix  on  Watertowii  iind  Uomu  rail  road,  3;i2, 

!i.33;  elevations  of,  liiU. 
Stalistif^  01  Watertown  and  Rome  rail  road,  .331 ; 
of  I'otsdnm   and  Watcrtown  rail   road,  .330; 
from  ccnsus«!s,  357  :  of  academies,  3S6.  3S8. 
StfMHerf,  American  lines  of  115. 348;  Canadian, 
350 :  attempt  to  firedreat  llritain,  528 ;  Brown- 
ville,«3:  Ocean  Wave  burnt,  118 ;  at  Clayton, 
141 :  Cornelia.  344. 
Steamboat  companies.  Black  Biver.  347  ;  Ontario, 
349;  St.  Ijawrunce,  .354:  Ontario  and  St,  Law- 
rence, 352 ;  success  of,  355.    See  steamers. 
Sterling  irmi  mine,  9.3. 
Sterling,  Micah.  notice  of.  4,52. 
Sterlihflville,  village  and  iron  works,  225. 
Steiiiien.  Baron.  )K'tition  for  road.  ;!07. 
(StcAnci/,  Col.  Paul,  militia  drawn  from  regiment 

of,  458. 
Stocks  to  lie  crcctcil  in  Lorraine,  195, 
StocMno.  Samuel,  purchase  of,  01. 
S'om  Mills,  village  of,  214. 
Sttnte  quarries,  at  Chaumont  village,  205. 
Stony  himitl,  patented,   09. 
Stoini  l^iint,  wreck  of  steamer  near.  352. 
*or«,l.emuel.pu.chnseof,t';i-4,120, 121,131,17.3. 
Skni),   Sllns,  agency  of,  e;j,  173,   229;  roud  com- 
missioner. 319 ;  vote  of,  401. 
Sultan,  Turkish  compliment  of.  to  Eckford,  513, 
Simlien  Unci;  liglil-house  on,  SI. 
Siiiwintenilents  of  scliools,   397, 
Siii>eriiir.  armed  frigate,   50S, 
S,tpervisiir.i.  first  meeting  of,  30 :  doings  of,  30, 
3ti ;   lists  of,  see  the  tlrst   pariigraplw  in  the 
several  towns:  time  of  meeting,  37, 
Surrender  of  York,  terms  of,  484. 
A'«rr'/|7(i<<'.«.  list  of,   307. 

(Surivi/x,  first.  3S ;  of  .Macomb's  purchase,    42; 

of  French  lands.  50 ;  (."ockhurn's  56 ;  of  tract 

No.  IV.  Van  Allen's.  ,57;  of  11,  Wright,  04;  of 

Crary,  300,  St'e  Bail  llnnd,  4c, 

Surrej/nrs  of  t'roncli  lands,  50 ;  of  tract  No,  IV, 

50;  of  Black  Biver  Tract.  04, 
S'irrillierii,  Count  (.lovepb  Bonaparte),  60, 
Swedenlioroians,  society  of,  170, 
liiljle,  statistical  rail  road,  331;  ccnHUa,  357, 359, 

3i!0.  3 11 :  of  aemlemies,  3S5,  3S8, 
T.dc,  loca'iticjt  of,  to. 

3\tx,  set^  county  buildings,  bridges;  petition  for 
academy,  38!i ;  fur  Hchools,  398;  guDoral  in 
war,  497. 


{a/ilor,  Hcv,  .Tohn.  early  missionary.  76,  300. 

Ji'Jer/raphs,  lines  of,  a43 ;  steamers,  il53. 

iKuiperunec  swiety,  county.  3911,  397. 

/!■»  KucI,;  Kirhert,  notice  of,  452, 

lerrares,  of  llinesinne  rockji,  545, 

'J'luoliigical  seminaru,  Catholk:,  213. 

7 //. /r.OT,  town  of.  243;   hiciilent,  244;  village, 

21i);  tiitls,  245;  furnace,  '240;  lakes,  240, 
Tlwusumt  Miimls.  fViWKry  of,  81,  141;  church 

of,  84:  jKHitryof,  5011. 
Threr  Mile  liay,  village  of,  204;  vessels  built  at, 

'2t)4, 
Tililjets,  (leorge.  agency  of,  150, 
lillier,  7i'(W(i/j)/i,  agent  of  Frc'uch  Co,,  49,  299;  is 

HuccewKil  by  tiouv,  .Morris,  55 ;  acquaintance 

with  Brown,  97, 
TimlK-r,  &c„  of  eleven  towns,  64 ;  steali'       >f, 

81,  130.  ' 

Titles,  primitive,  38 ;  Oneiila  and  other  T        .i, 

3S  :  set!  French  comiiany,  Antwerp  company, 

renet.  Black  itiver  tract,  islands,  &c, 
TompLiHs,  Oov,  Daniel  D^  letters  from, 420;  see 

appendix :  letters  to,  177.  4'i:!,  424,  420,  4ia, 

4iiO,  407,  4,80,  ,517;  see  appendix;  visitu  Sack- 

vU  llarlior,  4ii8. 

Fort,  at  Sackots  Harbor,  468. 

Tornadiies,  501. 

Toronto,  see  York. 

Tour  of  President  Monroe,  181. 

Tnnrmaliiie,  otiO. 

Totcis,  survey  of  eleven,  84 ;  sec  Adama,  Aiox> 

andria.  Arc, 

Agricultural  Societies,  S3,  408. 

(lutes  of  erection  of  tlie  several,  69. 

names  given  by  the  iiroprietors,  70. 

meeting,  st(>aling  of,  90, 

Trad,;  length  of  rail  road,  331, 

Tracts,  of  .Macomli's  punliase,  44;  fca  Black 

lliver,  French  Co,.  Boylstou,  Constable,  &o. 
Tre/tsurerr.  county,  307. 
Treat!/  with  Onciilas,  39. 
Trenltm  limistone,  539;  extent,  539;   fosslli), 

5,39:  thickness,  54;  veins  in,  541, 
Tn(i  Hill,  composed  of  slate,  545, 
Turin,  road  to,  from  Wbllestown,  317. 
Turnpil.e^,  Oneida  and  .(cU'erson,  319;  St.  T.avr. 

r(!iice.  320;  Cape  \incent,  203,  321;  Ogdeng- 

burgh,  3'20, 
TulIU:  Col,  O,,  postof,  in  battle  of  Sackets  Har- 
bor, 480. 

United  States  boundary  survey,  68. 

,  cession  of  land  to,  09. 

deposit  fund,  370, 

,  steamer,  353,  5l4, 

I'nion  Bank,  418, 

,  Jefferson  tJounty  Sabbath,  306. 

Literary  S(X'icty,  3,S5, 

school  of  Sackets  Uorhor,  187. 

Unirersali.sts:'  association.  395. 
I'pjiilin,  R,,  plan  of  church  l)y.  295. 
I  lira  city  bonds  for  rail  i-oart,  342, 
Utica  slate,  543 ;  fossils,  543 ;  features,  and  soil 
of,  645, 

Vallei/,  rcmorkalJe,  In  Rutland,  240. 

Valleys  of  Jeirerson  County,  547,  551. 

Valuation  of  towns  in  1805, 

Van  7^(';»ssc/«tr,  l{(!nsselaer,  at  Ilickorr  Island, 
520. 

.— .  Stephen,  letter  to.  300. 

I'dii  r/(irt,  surveys  on  rail  roiid,  329. 

Vaudreuil,  M,  de,  takes  postntSnndy  Creek, 21, 

Vauahan,  Captain  William,  ;i52,  51'2, 154;  note 
on,  514,  510, 

Veins  qf  lead,  in  Trenton  limestone,  541. 

Vessels.  burn(Hl  by  (^nerny,  462, 

to  bo  r<!duced  to  one  on  lake,  417. 

on  lake  before  tlie  war,  184 ;  sec  sliip  build- 
ing, 

fitted  with  armaments,  408;  sec  fleet. 

British,  captured,  503, 

caught  at  Ogdensliurgh.  by  war,  464. 

VIncenie.duc  de,  purrha,«e  liy,  57, 

r<)/Hmf,  of  water  in  the  several  livers.  548. 

Von  tSchoultz.  patriot  leader,  525;  ex(!cutv'd.  527; 
note  on.  501. 

Votes,  on  siiccial  elections,  370 ;  for  governor, 
371 ;  for  compti-oller,  in  1847,  436. 

Voters,  uumbuiH  of,  367. 


V 


•^'  '- 


?■# 


1^1' 


Index. 


601 


Yf&d  foxjrdo  nf  manRft'Miits),  660l 

Watldinfftnn,  Joshua,  concerned  in  tltl«  of  IhK 
nnda,  t)U. 

War,  with  Orcnt  Britnln,  468,  461,  402:  rmiit 
rations  for,  on  liikti,  177;  dun.  Orown^glutteis 
nn.  4211,  4'J4:  set)  upiicnilix. 

Want,  Hamuvl,  Iiuvh  of  ('onstHblo,  61. 

JVater  lime,  mnniitBotuni  of,  144. 

Witir  power,  of  lllnok  Uivor,  '283. 

Witer  tpoiUs,  on  Ijiko  Ontiirlo,  549. 

Water teorliU,  Wiiturtown,  'J^iT.  281. 

Witer,\oUinnt  of.  In  ni'vi^ml  rlvt-rH,  r48. 

Wutertowii,  lu-iuk'niy,  378,  ii7l) ;  circular  of,  !ffO. 

hank  of,  417. 

— —  hank  iind  loan  company,  418. 

KBH  conipany,  290. 

hotel  coniimny.  284. 

— —  toivn  of,  orKanl'cd,  247;  bounds  In  1801, 
247;  town  olMcerB,  248 ;  WrIght'H  remarks  on, 
249;  inoJdcnt*.  254;  uffatr  of  Whittlesey,  203, 

— —  niucliaiiic'H  aHHiKlatlon,  414. 

> I'r('(i»)yt4!ry,  390. 

— —  village,  270;  truHtecfi,273;  cemetery, 275 ; 
hoard  of  Tieullh,  270;  census  In  1827,  27.;  Ar- 
tesian well,  277;  factories,  278 ;  extraordinary 
water  iwwor,  283 ;  public  square,  2S3 ;  Arcs, 
284;  ar(»de,  287;  eleganooof  iiublicbulldinKS, 
289;fountnhis,  290. 

•  yoiiiii;  ineii'H  association,  290. 


Wakrtown  and  tJape  Viiuxnt  H.  R.,  incornorai)- 
eil,  32ii. 

M'atf.rtown  ami  Rome.  R,  K.,  oi-lKln,  .124;  leiris- 
latinn  on,  324 ;  surveys  of,  32.').  32(5;  iwmpiiny 
orKanlzed,  327;  road  Iwuiin,  328;  officers  cho- 
sen, 328 ;  api>eal  of  aKricultural  society,  329; 
opened,  3.10^  bonds,  330 ;  statistics,  331 ;  ele- 
vations. :t3l ;  stations,  332;  husiuess  of,  338 ; 
suu^css  of,  ;!:!2. 

WcttMH,  James,  see  Penel's  Square,  43,  210. 

■  Mattlu^w.  purchases  a  class  ris^ht,  109. 

Well,  Artesian,  Watertown,  277. 

IJT-W,  Isaac,  Jr»  note  on  Thousand  Islands,  667. 

Wells,  Asa,  affair  of,  156,  459. 

Island,  68 ;  extent  of,  81. 

Wed  Carlhaae.,  132. 

Whedoch;  ().  L,  plans  by,  287.  289,  292,  207. 

White,  family  of,  muitlercd,  143. 

Major  tieorge,  agency  of,  23T,  notice  of, 

452. 

Wliitestown,  tonaar  bounds  of,  70;  rood  from, 
317.  . 


W/iitemTle,  vlllBKoof,  231 

Whitiieii's  (l;mcr«,'227. 

Whiltlefey,  Samuel,  robV)cry  of,  203;  Mr.  yal*- 

bank's  remarks  on,  574. 
Wilcnx't  Oirnen,  post  ofllce  of,  30& 
W,lke*,  see  Tenet's  Squans  43. 
iri7',i)Mon,  Ueneral,  appointed  to  command  of 

frontier,  497. 

array  of,  arrives  ot  Sackcts  Harbor,  601 ; 


disastrous  Issue  of  expedition,  502. 

army  of, at  Cape  Vinct^nt,  ll;i;  Grenadier 

Island.  u03;  result  of  expedition,  506. 

W7/io»i.'i'  Woolen  Company,  282. 

H77h«,  town  of,  299;  Carthage,  300,  303;  fui> 
uare,  ;tOO;  Natural  Ilridge.  304. 

Windmill,  Imttle  of,  524;  prisoners,  527;  note 
on  Von  Schoultz,  501. 

Wilf,  Charles  Michael  do.  See  Antwerp  Com- 
pany, 66. 

Island,  ship  building  at,  141;  rail  road, 

327 ;  canal,  331. 

story.    See  «  Link  In  the  Chain,"  258. 

Wiilluslonih  (tabular  spnr),  510. 

Wn(JdrllJ^',  Norrls  M.,  purchase  of,  61. 

Wiodwmxl,  Kcv.  James,  au  early  missionary, 
76,  3(H). 

Wiifxlville,  159. 

Wnnleit  factories  at  Dexter,  104;  Henderson, 
168;  Rutland,  238;  Watertown,  278. 

Wxilnei/,  Melaiu'tlion  T..  builds  brig  Oneida, 
173;  affair  of  8audy  Creek,  509;  incident  at 
auction,  460. 

Worth,  Colonel,  stationed  at  Sackots  llarbor, 
524. 

Tlorf/i,  town  of,  305. 

If  n'c/.'ft  on  the  EUisburgh  coast,  161 ;  of  steam- 
er Martha  Ogtlcn,  352. 

WriglU,  Ik'iijamin.  of  Rome,  surveys  of,  64, 72, 
120, 146, 1U6, 196. 2.13, 249 ;  i-oad  commbioner, 
319;  agencies  of,  190;  notice  of,  453. 

}^>>,  Sir  .Tames  L.,  commands  British  fleet,  489, 

.501,  512. 
lor/.-,    attack    planncj,  476;  fleet  sails,  477; 

Brigade  order  of  attack,  477 ;  description  of, 

478;  attack  on,  479;  termsof  surrender, 484; 

rotaliHtion,  484,  evacuated.  484. 
l'oi(?il7  Men'ii  AsfnciatUm  at  Sackets  Uarbor,  188 ; 

Watertown,  290. 

Zoar,  vilage,  in  Rodman,  230l 


E  RRATA. 


Page. 


(( 
It 
It 


43,  8th  line  from  top,  for  1729,  read  17S9. 

51,  22(1  line  from  top,  for  Cortland,  read  Cattorland. 

53,  2d  line  from  bottom  of  text,  for  origin,  read  original. 

69,  7th  line  from  top,  for  Mdancton'  L,,  read  Mdanclhon  T. 

77,  8d  line  from  bottom,  for  Britey,  read  Bailey. 

88,  Gth  line  from  lop,  for  vigor,  read  rigor. 
143.    The  figure  near  the  top  of  this  page  should  be  turned  so  that  the 

finer  divisions  would  be  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner. 
164,  last  line,  for  E.  C,  read  C.  B. 
192,  22d  line  from  bottom,  for  1819,  read  1813. 
240,  7th  line  from  top,  for  Wm. ,  read  Mr. 
327,  0th  line  from  bottom,  for  I,  3,  2,  read  1  and  2. 
389,  23d  line  from  top,  for  Van  Fled,  read  Van  J^eck. 
334,  I3th  line  from  bottom,  for  1840,  read  1850. 
523.    The  number  designating  this  page  accidentally  omitted. 


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